Newbi 35 yr old, TTC my First child!

[Lucy_girl]

Hi everyone,

I just want to introduce myself, as I am new to this forum. I'm 35 years old, and started TTC Jan of this year. My husband just turned 37, and we are both pretty healthy, both active runners.

I have been off of BC since August 2009. I have been using the OPK kits on and off, this month I decided to use the OPK and never got a positive during the time I should have been O. We did the BD all week....so crossing my fingers.

Me and the DH are waiting to the end of Dec before we go see the Dr. for testing.

My question what kind of testing should I expect??

Thanks!

Good luck to all you TTC!

 

[NanCat]

Hi LucyGirl! I am almost 39 (DH is 32) and TTC #1 as well, since May. The initial testing i had thru both my OBGYN and fertility specialist was for FSH and AMH (egg quantity), Estradiol, progesterone, and TSH for thyroid levels. I was found to have low ovarian reserve and my thyroid was low, so I'm on thyroid medication now and I am hoping it will help my short luteal phase. Here's a decent site to see what different tests and levels mean: https://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html

Regarding the OPKs, you might want to consider a Clearblue Fertility Monitor (CBFM) ...it's a little pricey but for me its easier to read than the sticks. It tells you when you're at "high" and "peak" fertility.

Keep us posted if you end up going for testing, good luck with everything! (hope the BD all week worked for you this month!)

 

[Nat0619]

Hi Ladies

Welcome to the site Lucy_girl! We are in very similar situations I am 36, OH is 41, and we have been ttc our first since March this year. But we had a year of NTNP prior to that so I am getting concerned now. We have agreed to see docs in new year to start tests. We are having a month's break from it all this month, I've just had enough for now to be honest and just want to enjoy Christmas with family and friends without the stress of ttc.

Good luck this month

 

[Lucy_girl]

Thanks ladies, I appreciate the support. Some months I don't even feel like TTC because it can get so frustrating.

I think I'm going to look for CBFM this weekend, so I have it ready if I start my cycle next week -those OPK's are a pain to read.

Thanks again for the info! I will be sure to keep everyone posted if we have any success ..

 

[NanCat]

I decided to use the OPK and never got a positive during the time I should have been O. We did the BD all week....so crossing my fingers.

By the way, keep in mind that ovulation can vary a lot each month...for instance, one month I O'd on CD 12 and another month on CD 16. Then again my cycles are pretty random, usually anywhere from 22-27 days. Do you have pretty regular cycles?

Hi Nat0619! I agree with you, next month sounds like a good month to take a break and just enjoy the holidays. We will probably still BD (turning 39 in Dec, I don't feel I can let a month go by without trying a little!) But I am definitely going to try to take a break from the stress!

 

[MrsRH]

Hi everyone,

I just want to introduce myself, as I am new to this forum. I'm 35 years old, and started TTC Jan of this year. My husband just turned 37, and we are both pretty healthy, both active runners.
I have been off of BC since August 2009. I have been using the OPK kits on and off, this month I decided to use the OPK and never got a positive during the time I should have been O. We did the BD all week....so crossing my fingers.

Me and the DH are waiting to the end of Dec before we go see the Dr. for testing.

My question what kind of testing should I expect??

Thanks!

Good luck to all you TTC!

how much running do you do??
I know very keen runners sometimes run at low body fat which can affect ovulation.
Have you thought about cutting back a little??

I know of someone who cut her running by half after a year of TTC and conceived straight away.


and in answer to your question....

you GP shoudl do day 1 bloods (for FSH & LH) day 21 bloods (for 28 days cycle) for ovulation, general tests for iron, thyroid etc, a semen analysis for your OH and perhaps an ultrasound scan of your ovaries.

Then you willbe referred to a gynaecology/fertility clinic

lots of luck and
xxx

 

[Lucy_girl]

Hi NanCat- my cycles can vary between 23-29 days mostly 26/28.. Last week when I didn't get a positive on the OPK I was testing @ 11:30 a.m. as opposed to when I first woke up at 6:30 a.m. So I wonder if the time of day could have been the factor there... I'm due for my cycle late next week...so we shall wait and see.

In the meantime do you use temping or the CBFM? I don't really understand the whole temping thing, I guess I need to take time to read how that works.

 

[NanCat]

I tried temping for one month and for me it was too stressful! There's a book called "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" which is chock full of great info about taking temps and monitoring CM...I just don't have the patience for it. I'd rather be told yes or no by a stick or monitor! I use the CBFM diligently, and it insists that you test only with first morning urine. But I think with the OPK sticks, it doesn't matter what time you test. I'm wondering if maybe since your cycle varies a bit, if maybe you O'd a little earlier or later than you thought, and that's why it never showed a positive? Try to start testing a few days after AF and don't stop testing until it shows a positive.

 

[Lucy_girl]

Hi MrsRH- I run about 35-40 MPW, my Dr. didn't seem to think the running would affect my TTC when I went in for my yearly a few months ago. I don't think I'm under in body fat, I am lean but I don't miss my period. I think if you BMI is below 12% that's when it's an issue but I'm 5'6 about 118lbs.

So the first test they do is the first day of your cycle? I will probably call to make an appointment just in case. Thanks!

 

[Nat0619]

Hi girls

I have used a CBFM for the past four months (not bought me any luck yet ) They are very good at showing your peak days and give you a few 'high fertility' days prior to this as it detects a rise in oestrogen prior to your LH surge.

x