TTC and 35 +, all those who are worried their ovaries are not as sprightly as before

[DarrellRivers]

After 18m persuading DH, we are finally (v gently ) TTc no 3.
As I am now 35, am convinced my fertility days are behind me.
Anyone in a similar position and needing to share support?

Sorry to hear that Jacanne. Don't know the answer to your question either

It's panic station here as my mucous has just change to the ovulating type this morning - I was expecting it around the 10th! DP is at work, don't think he'd be too impressed if I called him up and demanded a return (am tempted though). Hopefully the fertile phase will last a few more days (it's been a couple since were have been jiggy)

I'm not entirely sure Jacanne, I reckon treat as normal period.
Good luck Lionstar

Can I join you? Trying for number one for last 10 months, 36, trying to pluck up courage to go to docs about it but am scared will just end up weeping as I try to explain. Had a mc after a surprise pregnancy last September and I'm occaisonally still very weepy tbh.

Do you need to take OH with you when you go to see doc? We aren't registered at the same surgery.

Claire - you and I are almost exactly in synch! I started trying for my first last October. I was 37 when I started, am now 38.

You don't need to take your OH. If I were youI'd go to the doctor and explain how long you have been trying and ask for the blood tests. They will have to take blood at different times but should be able to book you in with the nurse quickly. It takes a week for them to come back.

I'm not at the same surgery as my OH and asked this very question at the doctor's yeasterday. She told me to get him to go to his own doctor for a sperm test. Encourage your OH to do this as it could be a problem with him as much as with you.

My doctor said to me to keep trying because sometimes it does take this long.

Jacanne

I think you should treat as a normal period and count as usual.

Lionstar - go for it!

Hi Claire, sorry to hear about your mc. I've decided to give it one more month before going to the GP. DH thinks it's too soon (this'll be the 7th month) but I think if I have a problem I'm better knowing about it sooner rather than later.

Thanks for that beanie and Spanglemaker. Beanie you've put my mind at rest re the doctors, I will get on and get myself to the docs for the blood test. Thanks again.

Know what you mean about the arguing at the wrong / right time... in our case, even though I seem to have managed to have some promising hormonal activity, dp was struck down with a virus just at the wrong moment. Managed it once on the day the surge started, but I bet it wasn't enough. Ah well... roll on af so I can get started again. She's due just as I move house, so will have to remember to hide tampons and my CB digi from the removal men or they will pack them at the bottom of a huge crate! Argh.

It's a nightmare sometimes isn't it, trying to get enough action in on exactly the right days, particulary as the months go by and the pressure builds. I was really hopeful for last month as we were away (business trip for me, but brought DH & had a few days' holiday) and it was relaxed and fun. The month before was totally unromantic, me with horrid cold coupled with v long days travelling, DH under work stress. I actually wasn't too upset I didn't get pg that month!

This month I have booked a few days leave, only my last cycle was 2 days shorter than I was expecting and days off will be too late. Oh well - still something to look forward to I guess

And I'm so so so busy in the evenings, next week should be our busy week but I'm on call 2 evenings (which means separate sleeping arrangements, not very conducive to conception really) gggrgh
and because my cycle length really does vary, I have to keep all options open over a quite long time [phew]
hopefully though will ovulate next weekend [fingers crossed]
welcome lottie

Hello, not sure if this is the right place to post but I am 36 and have two dc's. I have been trying for the lat 5 cycles but being very casual about it. Think it's about time I really made an effort now and for the past two months i have been using OPK's and am totally confused! My cycle ranges from 23 - 30 days and I never get what looks like a full positive on the OPK, just a fainter line which never develops to the same colour as the control. Does this mean i am not ovulating? Any advice gratefully received.

Hi Luceyd,

Please don't worry about not getting a +ve OPK, it doesn't mean you're not ovulating. There are so many factors affecting OPK's they're only really any good when you already have a good idea when you're ovulating, so you definitely hit the right days, and even then you can not get a +ve when you ARE ovulating. Likewise, it's possible to detect a surge when you DON'T ovulate! For these reasons I've given up using them. (plus the expense!)

My personal recommendation is checking cervical mucus & basal body temperature to get an idea of how your cycles are working for a month or two. Then, if you're still worried you're not ovulating consider going to your GP. But it sounds like it's early days for you, especially if you've been relaxed about things.
Good luck

Luceyd, I found the OPKs a bit useless (did the ebay sticks). Now have a clearblue digi (the expensive one) but it does actually record me having some sort of hormone shift, which is reassuring if still unproductive!

Did anyone else hear on the news that they've found men's fertility drops off after 35/40? Just what we need to hear!

Fertile CM today, so I've told DH to tell his frazzled old swimmers to get their zimmerframes out

i'm wearing DH out

Hi everyone. I am 37 and just started TTC. Somehow convinced myself that I conceived 4 days ago (first attempt), and can feel all sorts of things on my lower abdomen , conveniently ignoring that I felt nothing last time with DD, continuing to smoke a pack a day and skiing down red slopes

I was 34 when DD was conceived by the way, and that was on 11th day of a 30-day cycle. Just to give hope to those of us in their early thirties.

Smoking & skiing was before I did the test and found out I was pregnant with DD, btw. Stopped both as soon as I saw BFP.

Welcome CoteD'Azur
I also still have guilt from drinking lots of wine with DD1 the night before my BFP.
Luckily had just managed to stop smoking
I know what you mean about being convinced you are pregnant when you know you can't be yet. Well fingers crossed for the end of the month, we need some results on this thread

Hi CoteDAzur
I swing between thinking I need to cut EVERYTHING out on the 2WW and thinking sod it, the stress of am I/aren't I and being Miss Squeaky Clean has got to be more detrimental than a few glasses of wine. Not decided how to play it this month yet. No skiing for me though, I'm not that energetic Good luck for you, hope your conviction is correct!

Darrell, I second that comment, we need some BFPs to give us hope!

Didn't mean a few glasses every night btw
Don't want you all to think I'm an alcoholic!

we know spangles [knowing glances amongst the rest of the thread]

2WW means '2 week wait', as in until you can test?

Yes, I'm right there. Trying not to be so convinced I'm pregnant so I won't be so disappointed if not...

hic

Went and got a pregnancy tester today. Pharmacist asked if I wanted two, and I said 'no' because I am so sure I'm already pregnant (on first trial) that I am convinced I won't need two.

Setting myself up for a big disappointment, I know...

Well, the hopes of the thread are all on you
No pressure
Am chuckling at you and your one test.
Don't use it too early though
When are you testing?