Ignoring the LIES, DAMNED LIES, and STATISTICS: Fiesty & Fabulous 40+ers TTC

[xserialshopper]

Open to all 40+ers TTC.

We're friendly - not cliquey (sp?) and would love to know you{smile]

grownup - what sort of opk are you using? I've only ever used the ebay cheapy sticks (so don't know about any others I'm afraid) but I do find I have to do 2 or 3 tests a day around ov time to get a positive, and it doesn't usually last long. Are you getting any lines at all?

Anyway ewcm is one of hte best indicators so go for it big time anyway! Good luck

Hi Peasoup. We hadn't actually started trying at that point, just went to talk to GP about anything we needed to consider apart from taking folic acid. The tests were offered just because we were both over 40, to rule out the obvious.
By the way, how do you ladies manage to stay up so late?
Did anyone watch that BBC Four programme on Thursday about babies in the womb? It was fascinating stuff. Part 2 is next week.

Loubers, that is very frustrating, I'm not surprised you are a bit . At least they are now mobilising - don't think infertility is a high priority for the NHS.
Grownup - the OPK should only read positive for a short time as far as I know, but the ewcm can last a few days. I think you have to kind of 'stock up' on swimmers whilst you have the ewcm, so that they are all ready to go when you ovulate.
I have tried OPKs from a couple of Ebay sellers and they both seemed to work enough to show a positive or almost 'good enough' positive (post LH surge possibly).
Tabitha - I was up at 1:30 am, but always feel a bit embarrassed about posting at that time because I look like a total computer geek.

When I was ttcing first time round OPK's didn't work for me. Go with ewcm Grownup.

Hi all ..... have just found this thread and would love to join in. It's really very reaffirming to find other women "my age" also trying to become pregnant, not least because I don't have to explain or justify my decision !

My story in brief: am just 44 and have 2 kids already - an 18 year old when I was 25 and a 5 year old born when I was a month shy of 39. I have also had 3 miscarriages - 1 in 2001 when I was 37 and 2 within 3 months on 10 Sept and 28 Nov this year (I have a thread about this in the miscarriage board here).

Hell .... I would have liked to have 3 kids with a nice neat interval between them when I was in my 20s / early 30s (just think of the freedom I'd have now) but as many of you know, life doesn't always go the way you hope it to.

We decided to try in June this year and I fell pregnant very quickly, but miscarried at 6.5 wks .... had 1 period .... conceived again, but lost at 7 wks, 9 days ago. Have stopped bleeding now and hope to conceive again asap (could I be that lucky again I wonder ?). I know popular advice is to wait for at least 1 period not least for accurate dating, but really don't feel I can afford to "wait" .... if only because if nothing ever happened, I'd always wonder about the "opportunity" I might have missed.

Am seeing my GP tomorrow and throwing myself at his mercy re: tests given my age, even though it's "only" 2 consecutive losses.

I'll be following this thread with interest and wish you all lots of luck !

Hello, catsmother. Welcome to the thread - I am so terribly sorry for you for your lost little ones and hope you are bearing up OK. Totally empathise, as will lots of others on this thread.

Hi Catsmother, sorry to hear you are having a hard time. Hopefully, you will have better luck with the next pg. If you can be referred quite fast to a specialist they should be able to check you out and ensure that everything is working as it should, but with any luck you won't need to do that.
How is everyone??
Does anyone have a Christmas present bought yet?
I won a present on here for DS and that's about it.
Oh, have rescheduled the Hungary appointment to January, so that's one appointment here (home) and one away. Feel much better about going later because things were feeling a bit too nutty.

Hey there rowing - all is well here, feel a bit brighter since the tree went up and the mulled wine came out yesterday [squiffy emoticon]

Also took DS to see Father Christmas at Bodiam Castle yesterday. He's only two and was a bit overwhelmed. I was way too excited given my age and had to have a sit-down (and a large slice of National Trust chocolate cake) afterwards

Have only really got DS's presents. Bought DP a jumper (yawn) and a pair of remote-controlled jousting knights online, but my credit card declined {blush] , so don't think he'll get those.

Catsmother sorry to hear about all your sadness. I was going to wait between my last mc (which was my 3rd in a row) for at least one month before ttc again, but didn't and I'm now 14.5 weeks pg. All the medics agreed that there was no need to wait. Heard heart beat again today. Little Tab is still hanging on in there.
Rowing good luck for either local or Hungary. Sometimes, we just need to believe.
Haven't bought any Christmas presents yet. Am going to put the tree up on Saturday.
Sussex that's another reason I want a baby - an excuse to meet Santa again after over 40 years. I wonder if he will remember me?

Hi all, I thought in theory by this age 42, I would be older and wiser. How wrong when trying so figure out ov time.
The last few months used cb opk with peak on cd 19 of a 36 day cycle, however yesterday cd8 noticed ewcm and test tonight gives +ve LH,wtf is going on?

Had absolutely no plans to BD tonight and really cant be bothered, but no way can I lose another month.
Anybody like to guess whats going on with my pesky reproductive system.

How was Prague grownupbabes?

Hi Folks - just popping on to say a quick hi as I haven't been on for a few days.

AF came on Saturday, but didn't feel too grim as I really hadn't got my hopes up at all this month. That's one thing about temping I reckon, as long as you have a reasonably constant luteal phase it's quite easy to spot your 'non-pregnant' temp pattern so you have a better idea of what to expect (or rather, not expect...)

Another 9 day luteal phase though so a bit depressing from that point of view. I'll carry on with the B6 and see what happens. A bit odd as when I started temping I got 3 x 11-day luteal phases in a row, but then followed by 2 x 9-day luteal phases.

I'll get back on later today and do a catch up with everyone - in the meantime big wave to all

Giggly, I will pass, the whole ewcm thing confuses me. Is the test line the same or darker than the control line, or a bit lighter. I have had almost the same colour line after ovulation on cheapie tests. I think LH does rise and fall throughout the cycle, so it could be a not-ovulation related high. However, I would probably go for it and bd anyway, just in case...
Have you tested again today?
Fiend sorry to hear about AF. Knickers to AF! I don't remember whether you had tried agnus castus? Just a thought, as I have read it regulates the cycle and can lengthen the LP. Whenever I take ag cast I have to endure feelings of depression, which kind of puts me off. Perhaps my hormones are so perfectly balanced that ag. cast upsets them.
I'm still taking 400mg in the morning with 500mg of EPO even so. Followed by a St. John's Wort to fend off the symptoms.
Must stop self-medicating.
The Hungarian doctor has replied to my email and suggested the 22nd of January for my first visit. He reckons we can get most of the tests done when I come back for treatment, he just wants the day three test results. He even said the sperm test could wait until DP gets over there for the IVF.

Hi all

Rowing it's all sounding very positive What does your hubby think?

FF It looks like I'm having a long cycle as af hasn't turned up yet (though I feel she is on her way, just taking a detour through my newly opened right tube I suppose) I did a cheapy ebay preggi test and a cb one and they were both negative[fsigh emoticon] Oh well, here's to a september/october baby

Maybe I should do a Tabitha8 thingy and start on the asprin now

Giggly it is possible to two LH surges in a month (according to Atilla whose comments I always seam to read on other threads) So the 'extra' bding might be useful.

sussex did you sit on his lap?

grownupbabes how was prague?

Just popping in to say hi to you all!

I had my 17 week scan today and baby is still alive and kicking .

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas if I don't pop in again for a while....

Hi cece, that's fab news (((gets excited and waves to cece))

Thanks, feel a bit more positive now.

waves at xserial!

Hello to everyone after a few days in fantastically Christmassy Prague.
Except that taking advantage of my absence exH abducted my DS from school and it has taken 4 days to get him back. Hah... don't anyone tell you the hard work stops with nappies and sleepless night .
Probably haven't mentioned exH is bonkers and has been sectioned - spend my days trying to keep my almost grown-up-babes safe, amongst other things.
But plenty of mini-break BDing was had, and let us say all the stars were aligned for action: ewcm - yes, opk - YES, temp - yes. FINGERS CROSSED THIS MONTH. And you know what, I am now day 14 which means testing day is Xmas Day. Oh wouldn't it be fantastic to have a magical Xmas pressie for DH... I am day dreaming about it.
No STOP THAT NOW!!!!

And by the way, hello catsmother - I have DS aged just turned 19 (and one aged 16), so we are together on that! Possibly bonkers to be at it again, but as you say, life does not necessarily present itself in neat 3 yr intervals. Here on this thread, everyone understands!

Grownup - how horrific that must have been, you poor thing. Happily, you have your babes back now.
I love your daydream, that would be gorgeous wouldn't it.
Cece - good to hear that everything is going so well, you just relax and enjoy a nice Christmas with no nappies.

Bgger and bollcks! AF arrived........This TTC is getting me down! Another month starts here...............

hello all - hope everyone is doing OK. Anyone heard from herb - thought of her when I read the great news from cece. I am on day something or other, can't seem to get involved in this cycle, probably because I've kind of given up on the idea of ever getting pg. Somehow this is easier to live with than the endless cycles of insane hope and despair.

Grading exam papers, which really doesn't do much to lift the spirits, and the cat is in the vet having x-rays (very pricey, apart from anything else!)

fifi x-post; sorry. Some festive bd-ing? Watch out for holly and pine needles! But seriously, it's rubbish, and sure I will be joining you in a few days

Thanks. Not sure I will bother going on with it tbh. I'll be 46 before I have it IF I manage to get pregnant and that just seems a bridge too far.

I got pg within 3 months when I was 42 but this just seems draining. I feel for anyone whose been going for years I really do. I guess I've only been trying for 4 months which isn't alot at my age but just feel it's a bit late. Should have started as soon as I could after number 1 born. Stupid me.

Fifitot I know what you mean. WHY did we use condoms for about 12 months after ds1 was born? STUPID is what we were I'm 42 now and can't even get pregnant

Rhet my attitude this month is exactly the same as yours - I just can't be bothered with all this scrutinising of my cycle[sigh] Time to give it a rest

NOT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO KILL ANYONE'S ENTHUSIASIM

It's just ....... sometimes it gets a bit much (especially after 5 odd years of trying)

Come on everyone... we all go through this but it's Christmas and therefore the season to be jolly etc.
Old Wive's Tale: the watched pot never boils
Old TTC 40+ Tale: the coddled egg never dances.
Let's all take our eyes off the ball for a few days, stop beating ourselves up over past stupidities (can you believe it... contraception!!!), and see what Father Xmas brings.