40+ and Trying for 1st? Join in!!

[terripeachy]

Iowa Girl-You HAVE to go for it. It takes a while to go through the whole process, so just do it! Better to start the process now because if you end up having several embryos, you can freeze them and then try again before you turn 43. The clock is seriously ticking now (only because your fertility center says so, though). *high 5*

I called and made an appt. for next week to talk IVF with my doctor. I hope I don't need it, but I'm ready to move forward. We'll do it together, ok?

 

[futurebbmoma]

Hello everyone...

It seems like a lot of people when they go for follicle u/s checks, they get told how many follicles, the size and even get to watch the monitor. I'm slightly frustrated as my upper body is well behind the machine so I can see nothing and no matter the questions I ask or conversations I start, I don't get any info more than a non-committal "Looks like the best options are on the right side" from the u/s tech.



Do you get much more info or do you have to prod your doctor's assistant after the fact?

 

[terripeachy]

If the doctor doesn't tell me, I call and ask the nurse, but the doctors at my place have been pretty forthcoming with that information.

 

[kaysbc]

how frustrating futurebb! At my doctors office they have a monitor I can watch so I've always been able to see everything, and I watch the doctor measure and she calls out the measurements to the MA to record. So I've never had your frustrations.

I think you should ask to know the count and size of follies, before you get undressed so they know what you want and its not awkward (arguing with someone with your pants off). You have a right to have copies of your medical records. But they should be able to give you this information verbally. I'm not sure why they would keep it a secret. I would call them on it and ask why they are being secretive.

 

[Emmi]

Hello everyone...

It seems like a lot of people when they go for follicle u/s checks, they get told how many follicles, the size and even get to watch the monitor. I'm slightly frustrated as my upper body is well behind the machine so I can see nothing and no matter the questions I ask or conversations I start, I don't get any info more than a non-committal "Looks like the best options are on the right side" from the u/s tech.



Do you get much more info or do you have to prod your doctor's assistant after the fact?

That really is frustrating, you can ask so many times as I am sure that you do. But yes, phone up the nurses and ask for exact details.

We are paying for this ivf so I insist on knowing everything, I get peace of mind knowing things are doing well, and if they are not, then I need to know exactly what is going on.

You deserve to know what's going on so remember that.

 

[pattynyusa]

Hello all.
We were TTC on our own for about 6mos, trying when OPK said "yes" and are now seeking help. First doctor appointment not optimistic based on my age. Started talking donor eggs straightaway; my follicles looked "pretty quiet" on ultrasound.
Have since had blood test with FSH 15.3, AMH 0.16 which do not sound good. On a bunch of supplements COQ10, DHEA, VitD. Had already been taking prenatal vit and Folic Acid. Due for follow up appointment in 2 weeks.
A bit overwhelmed with all the information - should we try acupuncture? Should we seek a holistic approach (reading book by J Indichova)? Wait till more info from doctor, or try everything all at once?
Any suggestions appreciated, and thank you for all the sharing you have done on your posts. There is a lot of positive energy here!

 

[Pussycat1]

Hi ladies, it's been a while (again!). So sorry to hear of the sad losses, ladies I hope you're doing ok. Terri, good luck with IUI no 2, Emmi, how's it going with the IVF, got everything crossed for you.
Patty, all I'll say is don't hang around, time is not your friend. I'm afraid I don't know much on the holistic side.
Iowa, go for it! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
AFM, got scan this week to make sure all is quiet with my ovaries, then should start oestrogen 12th July, meanwhile my amazing egg donor starts stimming with a few to collection end July, transfer (all going well) start Aug. using donor eggs is a huge thing to get your head round but once you do it's just another way to get to where you want to be. Sadly it's the last option on the list for me to carry a child, so everything hangs on this.
If I've missed anyone sorry, I hope you are all well and being kind to yourselves. Xx

 

[terripeachy]

Well, I got the results today and IUI #2 was a bust. I picked up my birth control today and I leave for vacation on Thursday, so it'll be a birth control kind of vacation for two weeks. Ugh...How defeatist! hee hee. Luckily it's a girls' vacation so I won't feel bad about BDing for nothing because I won't be BD'ing. Ha!

I estimate my IVF will be early to mid August.

Welcome patty. I agree with Pussycat in that whatever you do, do something! Some love acupuncture, reading, others like going "all in." It's up to you and what you feel comfortable with. How old are you?? Just an FYI that there is a section of the site called Assisted Conception and that may answer some of your questions about donor eggs and such. There is information all over this site, so check it out. You're more than welcome to hang here though. I know I'm not going anywhere for a while. hee hee.

 

[somedayisnow]

Hello Ladies,

I had my first appointment with an RE today and it went better than I expected. To be honest, I thought he'd be all doom and gloom about my age (41) but he wasn't. Of course, age was part of the conversation but we spent the majority of time going over my health history and creating a plan of action.

It wasn't until today that I realized that I was already labeling myself as having fertility problems when my fertility is really unknown at this point. I have an ultrasound tomorrow to check for fibroids (just a precaution) and the HSG will take place in July. I think I'm having the blood test for AMH and FSH done this week too. It's both amazing and scary just how fast everything seems to be moving.

Hi Patty,

I agree with everyone else. Just try something. If you can afford acupuncture then go that route. I also suggest reading up on nothing but positive stories about women, with not so great numbers, who became pregnant and had a successful pregnancy. For example: check out Bostongirl5560 on youtube. She's 39/40 and was given very little hope from her doctor of getting pregnant. She even walked out of the doctor's office in tears after getting the test results. She's now the proud mom of a 1 month old little girl via IUI. Don't ever give up hope.

 

[Briss]

pattynyusa, I do not want to disheartened you but while I completely disagree with the clinics pushing for donor eggs as soon as they see high FSH, I have serious doubts about "holistic approach". I have high FSH and I also read J Indichova's book and many others on the subject, I have tried everything under the sun including acu/herbs and disgusting fresh wheatgrass juice (you name it I've tried it) but after 4 years TTC nothing helped bring my FSH down. At the moment I am doing a more specialised acu/herbs programme directed specifically at high FSH but after 3 months of the treatment my current cycle was completely out of order with FSH going really high and making me ovulate super early on Cd10! so disappointing. Definitely try all the good things like greens, acu etc you should ensure that your health is in its optimum state but just do not expect miracles and make sure you are not wasting your time hoping your eggs will get younger. they wont. I spent over 2 years on "holistic approach" and tbh I regret not going for IVF earlier (not because of high FSh but because we also have low sperm count). and definitely try your own eggs. after all you have only just started TTC (6 months is not long) and may as well get pregnant naturally. wishing you every success!

Emmi, how's it going with the IVF?

 

[Emmi]

Hello ladies, hope that you are all okay. Am here, just dipping in and out as this ttc malarkey is soooo exhausting.

As for ivf,it's my egg collection tomorrow..... Feeling so very nervous, I liked the injection bubble of hope, you feel so in control and full of good things about to happen.

So now just praying for some mature, plump eggs.

X

 

[Briss]

Emmi, best of luck with your EC! hoping for lots of healthy mature eggs

 

[Rainshiny]

Hi everyone,

I turned 40 in May and have done 8 IUIs, and like Briss, I have high FSH (12-18) and low AMH. I tried acupuncture, lots of healthy food, wheat grass juice, vitamins, lowering gluten, eliminating soy, etc. etc. but decided my eggs are out (like baseball) at this point!

Since a donor was always in our world, being a lesbian, it's not too big a leap to go for Donor Embryos! I'm excited. I just started the estrogen tabs and will transfer around July 28.

I agree with everyone--it's good to go to IVF soon, if that's what you want. Or there is always donor eggs or adoption. Whatever makes you the happiest.

Terrypeachy--sorry your IUI didn't work, but good to see you again moving over from the 35 group (although hopefully we meet next time in the "I'm Pregnant!" section).

Best of luck with the EC Emmi!

I'm so sorry for your loss, Kay, but at least you know pregnancy is in the realm of possibility ...

Patty and Someday -- congrats on the next phase of your journey whatever that might be!

Big hugs and wishes to everyone--sending BFP dust out there, along with some resilience, peace, health, happiness, and joy in life.
Rainshiny

 

[somedayisnow]

Welcome rainshiny!

I'm sending babydust your way for the next stage of your journey.

 

[Rainshiny]

Someday-- Thank you! I really admire you for going for your dreams and not waiting around for Mr or Ms right.

To the other high FSH-ers--I don't regret any of the wheat grass juice, diet changes, or acupuncture, because it has brought me many other benefits including more energy, and less stress. You can't lose with that! Acupuncture takes me to another plane. Tons of people get pregnant with high FSH.

I'm seeing the Dr. tomorrow for the CD 3 U/S and bloodwork (although it is actually day 6). I think they are just making sure my uterus is still there.

If all goes well, we'll transfer 2 embryos July 28. It's sort of crazy-- other than a screen from the doctor, I have almost no information about the donors whatsoever. Not even ethnicity. This will be an adventure.
Rainshiny

 

[Briss]

Rainshiny, I am actually having an positive effect with TCM, after 4 months of acu and 3 cycles of herbs which were specifically designed to lower my FSH my FSH went up sky high and my ovulation moved to CD10!! which is super early for me. I do not know whether this is the herbs or my body's natural decline but it just seems that whatever I do to lower it nothing works and it only goes up. when I do nothing and lead my normal high sugar + morning cappuccino's lifestyle it kind of settles down into 11-15 range. just so distressing. I would not worry about high FSh if we did not have sperm issue so we do need stim IVF and for that I need lower FSH. for natural TTC nigh FSH is not such a big problem

 

[Rainshiny]

Hi Briss,

Phew, that does sound like a tough situation. Did you try DHEA and raspberry tea leaf, and chasteberry extract, and royal jelly? I started to try them but didn't take them for long so I don't know if they helped or not.

I think some clinics will do birth control to suppress for a few months and then try stims. Hopefully you can hit a month with the lower range of FSH and find a clinic who will try the stims--in the end you only need one good egg to become one good embryo for a good chance!

It's so strange how most of one's body is working just fine, but this one system is so delicate. I just didn't think about that when I was younger...I sure had a lot of fun not TTC at the time...

 

[terripeachy]

Hi Rainshiny.
You're right down the road from me. Yay!! The 28th is right around the corner and I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope you keep us updated on everything.

 

[Briss]

Rainshiny, DHEA is controversial, I would not take it before 40 and definitely under doctors' supervision. It's a hormone and can seriously mess up your hormonal balance in certain cases. check your DHEA levels first, it's a simple blood test to make sure you are low on DHEA before considering taking it. also read up on the side effects which can be quite dramatic like serious hair loss, I have seen this happen to our B&B ladies.

re royal jelly, it's not proven. I have taken fresh royal jelly in the past but it did not do anything. most recently I read a book on egg quality and royal jelly was mentioned as the one to avoid. I know everywhere you read on line they praise royal jelly but there have not been any studies to prove it does anything at all so i ditched it a while ago

raspberry tea leaf is great in the first half of your cycle together with red clover and nettles. I've been drinking it for years. Cant say I noticed much improvement but somehow I think it's a good substitute for caffeinated tea/green tea. I also drink mate tea which is unlike green tea, alkaline so it helps our bodies deal with all the acidity

chasteberry extract is again controversial, it seems to work well for some, particularly when ladies have problems ovulating naturally but if your cycle is OK it may mess it up

 

[Emmi]

Hello ladies, hope that you are all doing okay??? I am now in the 2ww after having 3 embies transferred.... The wait is a killer and I swing from high to low, my hubby doesn't know what I will be like day to day.

I was just wondering how you are Kat??? Maybe just taking a break from the boards as ttc is all consuming as it is. Really hope that you are doing okay, big hugs to you.

Xxx