Forum newbie - 33-yr-old, first-time TTC. Hello!

[KatieK85]

Hello!

My name's Kate - I'm a 33-year-old woman, and I am utterly thrilled and totally terrified to be trying for my first baby. Hi!

I'm brand new to these forums and admit I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing! Ha! I've read the stickies and familiarized myself with the rules as best as I can. It might take me a little while to get to grips with the acronyms, and I apologize in advance if I goof on any of the rules initially. In the meantime, here are a few topic-relevant facts about me:

• Never been pregnant.
• First time trying to conceive.
• We're more in the 'not trying to prevent it, seeing if nature will take its course' camp rather than the determined 'TTC' stage for now (for reasons I'll outline in a moment), but I wanted to post here instead of the other sub-forum as I imagine it will only be a short while before we start to rev the wheels a little harder.
• Was on various forms of the pill, mostly without breaks, between the ages of 17 and 23. Had regular periods throughout.
• Had two contraceptive implants fitted back-to-back between ages 23 and 29. Had one period three months after insertion of the first one, but none for the remainder of the six years total.
• Had second implant removed at age 29; periods returned three months later.
• Had a new implant fitted just before turning 30. No periods for duration of 3 years.
• Had implant removed in May this year (age 33).
• Went on the pill in May; stopped taking the pill in July (caused awful depression).
• Decided to give body a chance to go back to 'normal' and have used condoms ever since.
• Thick mucous discharge (I believe it's referred to as 'egg-white discharge' on these forums?) occurred on September 19th.
• No changes, symptoms or signs of ovulation since then.
• No periods so far. Last period, therefore, was in approx early 2014 (unless you include a 10-day light bleed when I took the mini pill for about as many days during the same year).
• I'm about 80lbs overweight. I'm working on that, but need to be working harder.
• Once tested borderline for hyper/hypothyroidism (I can't remember which one), but at the latest blood test (approx 18 months ago) my doctor was not concerned.
• Currently taking PPIs for acid reflux issues, but likely only for one month provided my next check-up goes okay and symptoms ease.
• No other medications or known health issues.

My husband and I, despite having felt excited and emotionally ready to have a baby for quite some time now, have held back on moving forward for practical reasons (our house wasn't perfect, our jobs weren't perfect, our car wasn't perfect, our bank balances weren't perfect, etc. etc.) but we've realized recently that we were making excuses (valid ones, sometimes) simply because we were scared! This week we decided to stop trying to talk ourselves out of it - we are ready - and we are so excited to finally, almost, label ourselves as 'TTC'. I turn 34 in February and we're quite aware that time isn't necessarily on our side anymore, so it feels a relief to get the ball rolling, albeit in these very early stages.

I am slightly concerned that my period is taking its time materializing - it has been five months since I stopped all birth control, and aside for that discharge in September there has been no sign of ovulation - but I'm trying my hardest to reassure myself that it takes time for the body to return to normal after stopping birth control. This is just the longest mine has ever taken, is all, but I suppose I am a bit older this time. We stopped using condoms as of yesterday even though my periods haven't come back yet, and we know it's very unlikely I'll fall pregnant until they do, but there's no harm in starting early, is there? (Please correct me if I'm wrong!)

I'm looking forward to sharing my journey with all of you, and sharing yours, too. I'm off to read more! Looking forward to getting to know you.

 

[ginamouse]

Hello Kate! I'm Gina. I'm a little while away from 30 and I'm back on the forums after taking a year hiatus from trying to conceive. I am a South African living in the UK.

How exciting that you have started on your journey! I had the implant too for 5 years, everyone has mixed opinions but they were the best 5 years of my life! My period returned almost immediately after it was removed but I had surgery just before it was for my endometriosis and was on harsh medication so not sure if has anything to do with it.

I think you have the perfect approach to TTC. Don't let it get in your head just yet. Take it easy and get ahead just as you are. It's so easy to become consumed. Calm is key. I would perhaps go see your GP or Gyn and see if there is anything going on but you will find, I imagine, as you are going ahead with your weight loss journey like you planned that all of these things may balance. Weight, exercise and diet have a lot more to do with your hormones than you would think, much like age and stress do. Having the GP check you over might just give you peace of mind. Going into TTC with doubts will only make it more stressful for you in the future.

While I haven't necessarily gotten it right just yet myself (as a result of many, many factors) I have been in the game for a little while and would happily answer any questions you have x

 

[KatieK85]

Hi Gina! Thank you so much for the warm welcome, especially from a fellow expat! I hope you've settled happily into the UK, however long you've been there.

Thank you for the friendly advice and reassurance, too. I have been considering a trip to the doctor to rule out any concerning factors - I'm due a visit to her in early January to talk about (and hopefully stop) my PPIs, so perhaps I will broach the subject with her then and see what she has to say. It can't hurt! And I had completely overlooked how much stress might play a factor the slightly delayed return of my periods. I had a career change two months ago so things have been a little hectic, and I imagine that might have played a role in how things have been panning out, too. Fortunately things are on the up, so fingers crossed everything can fall into place in due course!

I wish you the very best of luck on your journey - from what you've said, it sounds as though you've been on a bit of a ride so far. Maybe 2019 will be the year for both of us.

 

[ginamouse]

Hi Gina! Thank you so much for the warm welcome, especially from a fellow expat! I hope you've settled happily into the UK, however long you've been there.

Thank you for the friendly advice and reassurance, too. I have been considering a trip to the doctor to rule out any concerning factors - I'm due a visit to her in early January to talk about (and hopefully stop) my PPIs, so perhaps I will broach the subject with her then and see what she has to say. It can't hurt! And I had completely overlooked how much stress might play a factor the slightly delayed return of my periods. I had a career change two months ago so things have been a little hectic, and I imagine that might have played a role in how things have been panning out, too. Fortunately things are on the up, so fingers crossed everything can fall into place in due course!

I wish you the very best of luck on your journey - from what you've said, it sounds as though you've been on a bit of a ride so far. Maybe 2019 will be the year for both of us.

Stress was our biggest factor! It really does affect your hormones etc. I am sure now that things are settling down for you, you will see some change. Holding thumbs for you!

 

[promise07]

Hi Gina and Katie! Welcome

I'm excited for both your journeys and hope they are short and sweet! My name is Pepper and I've been TTC #1 for about 13 years. My story is so long I won't even repeat it, but it's in my journal if you want to know more about me.

I think you're gonna have to give your body some time Katie in order for it to get back to normal after the implants, but there are some things you can do to help regain balance in the meantime. I highly, HIGHLY recommend vitex, aka chasteberry supplements for irregular cycles. Taking it for a few months can help your body get it's natural rhythm back so that when you guys are fully ready to take the plunge, things are a bit more even and smooth for you. I don't think of it as TTC supplements, but more so of just an everyday vitamin I take.

Gina I agree with you on the stress thing. It took me about 11 years to realize that although my issues with TTC won't be cured by "calming down", my life in general would. I had to learn to step back and only manage and handle the things that I could when it came to TTC. My road hasn't been easy, but I've grown and haven't lost hope yet!

I'm also here to answer any questions you may have if any. I'd love to hang out and chat though!

 

[LaurenK04]

Hi Katie!

I’m 30 and also pretty new to this too and would love a buddy to talk to along the journey. We only started TTC about 3-4 months ago but hit a hurdle straight away when we find out my partner has Hypogonadism which means he’s basically infertile and not producing enough testosterone and hormones to have a baby. We’ve been to a specialist and he has now been having HCG injections 3 times a week for a month (which I’m having to eject in him, it makes me nervous every time). We have seen some physical effects from the injections already and although we know it could take a long time before we could actually conceive we’re still going to start trying as soon as we can. I’m ovulating in about 3 days from now so that will be our first attempt since starting treatment.

I would love for you to keep me informed on how your journey goes

 

[HWGina]

Hi, I’ll be following your journal. I’m a little way off ttc myself, but hopefully I’ll be joining you later this year.
I haven’t got anything useful to add about the implant, I’ve never had it myself. But best of luck with everything.

 

[KatieK85]

Hello everyone!

Thank you all so much for your replies, and I'm so sorry for not getting back to you individually and for taking such a long time to reply at all. I started a new job recently, so have just been getting used to the new schedule and everything else kind of took a back seat.

Congratulations to those of you starting your TTC journeys, and thank you for your well wishes! I will try to do better at keeping in touch.

Very slight update from me:

Still no sign of a period, but I am now quite convinced I am ovulating. I have had several days, lately, where I have seen varying degrees and types of discharge (mostly thin/slippery), which I have not seen since September. The past couple of days have felt a mild cramping in the left of my lower abdomen. I've also felt a bit of a rise in my temperature (though I have not measured it, so can't say for sure), but I've also had a bit of a cold so it could just be to do with that. I'm of course quietly hoping this might mean I'm feeling implantation, but I know I'd be striking incredibly lucky - even if it's just a sign of ovulation, that's great news as it would suggest things are beginning to work as they should.

Since I started noticing the discharge, my husband and I increased the frequency of intercourse to every other day; the discharge seems to be going now, though, and the cramping has gotten slightly more persistent. Without having any cycle to speak of, it's impossible to know whether this is a symptom of ovulation, implantation or otherwise, but I'll keep hoping it's good news unless or until I see otherwise. My mum said she always felt tingling in her boobs as the first sign of pregnancy - I feel no such thing, but then I have also never had particularly sensitive breasts. My mother also suggested that if I'm anything like her, I'll fall pregnant incredibly easy - "I only ever had to just look at your dad and I'd be pregnant", she said! I know to take it with a pinch of salt, but it does give me hope.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! He's to 2019 being a magical year for all of us.

 

[Bevziibubble]

Hi and welcome to BabyandBump! Good luck

 

[BSelck24]

Excited for you!!

 

[KatieK85]

Hi everyone!

I'm really happy to report that today I got my period. It's not the dream pregnancy, of course, but I'm reassured to know that things are starting to settle into place and perhaps I'll finally be at the beginning of a more regular cycle. I've never been so happy to see my period before! I'm excited to start tracking my cycle, and hopefully find myself in a stronger position to conceive in the next few months. I'll be sure to stop by and keep this thread updated for anyone else in a similar boat to me, who might be interested in my journey.

 

[Bevziibubble]

Yay good luck!

 

[SamAshley]

Hey, Katie! I'm 33 (34 on Friday) and just beginning my journey as well!

 

[KatieK85]

Hi, SamAshley! Happy birthday for Friday! It's my 34th in a couple of weeks, too - fingers crossed it's a special year for us both!

 

[KatieK85]

Hello everyone!

I am delighted (and shocked!) to report that my husband and I had a positive pregnancy test last Friday. Using the first day of my last (and only, in recent years!) period as a point of reference, we are considered to be 7 weeks tomorrow.

We have our first doctor's appointment tomorrow and our 10 week ultrasound booked for March 18th, when we should hopefully get a clearer picture of how far along I am - I'm aware that unpredictable cycles make it difficult to estimate due dates.

I am absolutely over the moon and I feel great! A bit nauseous and extremely bruised-feeling breasts (they were the first symptom for me), but mentally I feel amazing and so excited to be starting this journey. I feel, and know that I am, incredibly, incredibly fortunate.

 

[RebeccaTB]

I just got really excited to read your last post! Just found your thread today My husband and I have decided to start trying, and it's pretty scary but also exciting. I came off the pill (after 16 years on it!!!) at the end of January, ovulated two weeks later (cramping and positive OPK test), and got my period two weeks later (today!). I'm really excited that so far my cycle has regulated right away. We're leaving Tuesday for Aruba and my tracker says I'll be ovulating during that week, so....we'll see what happens!!!
Congrats on your positive!!!