Welcome to 'Trying To Conceive Over 35'

[alicatt]

I didn't have one today- mine was yesterday. And yes, we are having another little girl It'll be fun with 3 of them! I am a bit concerned though as my placenta is positioned very low and near the cervix. They suggested another u/s at about 32-35 week-ish just to make sure it is not covering the cervix. If it has not moved up (can they do that?) by 35 weeks or so I will schedule a c-section to avoid problems.

OOPS, got confused on the days..
AWESOME!! Congrats on your little girl, I'm sure it will be fun to have 3 of them. YAY! I hope that your placenta stays where it needs to be, definitely keep monitoring it.

 

[alicatt]

Morning All,

I'm a little frustrated this morning. First I get rudely woken up by a helicopter hovering over my house. Well it felt like it was directly overhead. I found out after that it was probably 1/2 a mile a way and was circling over a crime scene. Yep! An officer involved shooting. So happy that I live in this neighborhood! UGH. So between that and getting another negative OPK, I'm just a little down. Since I was wide awake I decided to color my hair, I wanted to get that out of the way before we do the IUI, so now at least my grey hairs are covered!!

I am going to have the HCG shot to trigger ovulation, but I was hoping that my body would respond and be ready to ovulate on its own. Last month I had 2 days of surge on days 15 and 16, and today is day 15. So where is the surge? I did some reading and some womens cycles slow down on clomid and it takes them longer to grow and mature. So maybe that is what is happening to me? I'm also breaking out all over my chin with acne. I feel like a teenager What is that all about?

Oh well.. the bright side is that I see the FS at 11 (in an hour), and we will do another US to see where my follicles are. I'm praying that the 2 on the left are nice and big! I have been using my heating pad at night to help make them bigger, and I hope it has worked! Let me tell you, they certainly feel big.

Jess.. how are you doing? Any updates on your progress?

Coy.. how did the girls room turn out? You mentioned cleaning/organizing it?

 

[alicatt]

Ali - cheers for the comments as well. I signed up to that website a couple of weeks ago and have so much reading to do to get clued up again on my way forward.

My routine when I did successfully carry consisted of:

• Being fit beforehand and staying fit
• charting using FF and also using OPKs
• following a low-gi/diabetic/non-dairy type diet
• Pregnacare vitamins
• Agnus castus to help regulate my cycle - it worked for me
• no or very little alcohol

So I think I'll do the above and at this stage add;

• Mucinex or similar that I can get in the uK
• I invested in a bargain CBFM off ebay
• LDA from BFP (being positive)
• Praying and relaxing as I know this bit does affect me Think I'll take up yoga again.

I'll also look into the progesterone.

Have I missed anything obvious?

The NHS system in NI is set-up that you dont get a specific consultant if you are referred to a clinic. There will be the senior consultant and then all his juniors, and the senior consultant normally only sees you if he is interested in your case/stage of treatment. I've seen him a few times and tbh have got more from the junior ones. But even when you see one junior it can be a different one at the next appointment so there is no continuity or a doctor getting to really know you, your history and body = PANTS!

The only chance of one-to-ones is to pay private. I've caught wind of a good endocrinologist about 20 miles away but need to be referred by my GP. I'm not sure if I need an endo or gynae at this stage? Has anybody any thoughts? An Endo would be more beneficial if things are linked to my PCOS but I wont know this for 6 months!!!!!!!!

Angel!

Sounds like you have it all covered, excellent, I would definitely look into the progesterone suppositories. I am actually going to talk to my FS about that today, as I want to make sure we check that ASAP.

Vitex = angus cactus, and it helped me get my periods regulated and I think it even helped get rid of my PCOS. Either that or I grew out of it? IDK. All I know is that I was diagnosed with it when I was 27 and now at 39 it is gone! Where it went or how is anyone's guess, but I'm happy its gone! I'm not sure what they used to determine whether I had PCOS in the first place, I know from my research now, that they want to see at least 2 of the following: poly-cystic ovaries, the ratio between LH:FSH higher than 2, and elevated androgen levels. Of these, I don't have poly-cystic ovaries, my ratio is 1.5 and my androgen level is just outside the normal range (on the high side).

I'm glad you are feeling better too! I am the exact same way, I wallow in my sadness for a day, then sleeping on it usually helps me deal with it to the point that I get mad and then I do what I need to fix the situation. I really hope that you find a Dr that is more helpful, and that you get to the bottom of your fertility issues.

Thanks for your support as well, I am heading into my DR appt in about 45 mins.

 

[Philomena]

Morning All,

I'm a little frustrated this morning. First I get rudely woken up by a helicopter hovering over my house. Well it felt like it was directly overhead. I found out after that it was probably 1/2 a mile a way and was circling over a crime scene. Yep! An officer involved shooting. So happy that I live in this neighborhood! UGH. So between that and getting another negative OPK, I'm just a little down. Since I was wide awake I decided to color my hair, I wanted to get that out of the way before we do the IUI, so now at least my grey hairs are covered!!

I am going to have the HCG shot to trigger ovulation, but I was hoping that my body would respond and be ready to ovulate on its own. Last month I had 2 days of surge on days 15 and 16, and today is day 15. So where is the surge? I did some reading and some womens cycles slow down on clomid and it takes them longer to grow and mature. So maybe that is what is happening to me? I'm also breaking out all over my chin with acne. I feel like a teenager What is that all about?

Oh well.. the bright side is that I see the FS at 11 (in an hour), and we will do another US to see where my follicles are. I'm praying that the 2 on the left are nice and big! I have been using my heating pad at night to help make them bigger, and I hope it has worked! Let me tell you, they certainly feel big.

Jess.. how are you doing? Any updates on your progress?

Coy.. how did the girls room turn out? You mentioned cleaning/organizing it?

Hi Ali!
On clomid I ovulated about 4 days later than when I think I usually did... I think I usually ovulated at CD10 and on clomid I ovulated at CD14.... the acne is the increased estrogen! it means the clomid is working!! Yay!!
Good luck today!

 

[alicatt]

Hi Ali!
On clomid I ovulated about 4 days later than when I think I usually did... I think I usually ovulated at CD10 and on clomid I ovulated at CD14.... the acne is the increased estrogen! it means the clomid is working!! Yay!!
Good luck today!

OHH.. that is good! I'll take the acne then.. I read somewhere that each follicle generates estrogen, so maybe the extra acne means that I have lots of estrogen? I am hoping that 3 of the follicles are big enough (2 on the left and the 1 on the right). If that happens then I'll have 2 good follicles, since the chance of the one on the right making it down the blocked tube is slim.

YAY! Thanks for letting me know, I was wondering why my chin was getting all red and bumpy!

 

[Philomena]

Ali,
yes, I broke out horribly with the clomid.... but it cleared up.... right now my face is doing very well.... fx it stays that way! I had some spots with my DD.... it's worth it for a baby, to be sure!!!

 

[tiatammy]

well ali I got my cycle on may 13th and it was a normal cycle, did not get any poss OPKs that month or I may have missed it I dont know, I get my cycle every 26 to 28 days well come june 1st I started spotting, keep inh mind wasnt due for AF til june 8th, the first 2 days were brown spotting, so the ladies said it was at the right time for implantation bleed well the last 4 days has been a little more heavier and it is red, have tested once already and it was neg that was about 3 days ago, I was origally due for AF tomm. so I am so upset If this isnt pregnancy then something is really messing up with me, this has NEVER happened before, have been temping BUT doc. says MY temps are not good, and they are taken the same time every morning. I dont know I am sooo down right now, I have all kinds of emotions going on. HUGS HUGS FRIENDS

Aww.. Tia,

I totally understand, it really isn't any fun going through what you are going through. I wish I could give you a real hug!!!

Sometimes cycles are just messed up. Mine have never been early, but I have had delayed periods and that is just as frustrating!! So it could just be a wonky cycle and once you finish bleeding things will reset and get back to normal?

If you are really concerned I would suggest going to see your OBGYN and they can do some tests to find out what might be causing the early bleed. That might help with some of your feelings too, especially if they can lay your fears to rest!

Thank you ali, I just dont feel like doing anything you know its been 14 months of this TTC, I am just really down, sorry I dont want to bring others down on here so I will go for the day, just to upset right now. FRIENDS

Oh Tia! I know what you are feeling and I am so sorry. Like Ali, I wish I could give you a big hug right now!
We are all here for you because we all understand. I am 40 and I don't know if I will ever get PG. But all we can do is keep hoping. And keep trying. Don't ever feel like you are bringing any of us down. We are all here for each other honey bunny!!

Thanks jess

 

[tiatammy]

Tia, why can't our bodies be nice and predictable ? Have you done anything diffferent at all this cycle? Changed diet, vitamins, exercise? You'd be surprised the smallest change could affect your cycle, or it could just be a random one-off to keep your head confused . If you didnt ovulate this cycle perhaps you have had a fake LP hence AF coming early? It's normally the other way round for me though, if ovulation is late or doesnt occur my AF will be really late (logically to me).

Jess - I'm obviously still new but go you up at that time to go training. I used to be fit (empahsis on the used to) and competed in mountain biking, motorcycling and duathlons. Now I just run about 4 times a week and do exercises at home as the usual mundane work and house chores have taken over . I've still some pregnancy weight I need to shift and tone up after my last MC but just cant get motivated, give me a cyber kick please

Angel I hope ypu dont mind me calling you angel
Well my gynae appointment was as expected - pants . Sorry - rant ahoy. A short history taken by yet another doctor under my consultant and basic swabs and blood tests organised. They were so busy I have to go back in on Friday to get the bloods done . The doctor I got although was pleasant was not very helpful at all. Plus he said the results wouldnt be back for 6 months for the swabs, and a few weeks for the bloods! They would be in touch if they showed anything up. Can this be right?! I nearly choked when he said it, I just replied no way am I waiting another 6 months. He did do an internal scan and said everything looked fine, only commented that there was a cyst about 2cm. Nothing about the PCOS...

I got the usual spiel that my RMCs will probably not have any known cause and he just nodded sympathetically when I enquired about the link to PCOS and miscarriage. He admitted it could be linked but that was it. I pushed further and enquired about using metformin, LDA and/or clexane if tests showed anything up on how the PCOS was affecting me. He stated that metformin is on its way out for PCOSers, it's really only prescribed for those who can't get pregnant, not for those to try and maintain a pregnancy. Now from what I've read in numerous threads on here this cant be right surely? It seems to be common practice in other areas.

He recommended LDA if I conceive before I'm back in 6 months and as I was able to carry to term 2 years ago to follow the regime I used then i.e. following a low-GI/diabetic/non-dairy type diet, no alcohol and regular exercise (I didnt bother going into the details of what I did with him, would have been a waste of time). He kept banging on that if PCOSers lose weight it greatly helps, which I know it can but I'm only 9stone 4llb-ish (and this is me with still some pregnancy weight from the last MC).

I finally enquired if the test results from the remains of my last MC had come back. He said they probably wouldnt have found anything or done anything with it! I explained I preserved it as passed it at home and the EPU specifically sent it to the labs to get analysed. He just looked in the notes and said no.

I just feel so alone and down now, it looks like I have to try continuing this journey on my own again without the NHS and use self-help methods. We can't afford to go private as my DH was cut to a 3-day week. On the plus I've loads of books I got that I'm now invigorated to read and I carried before so hopefully it will happen again. But I just dont know if my body has changed more since then, for better or worse...

Sorry for the rant girls, I'm just so low and want to go have a good and .

Angel I hope you dont mind me calling you angel, I take prenantals,and have been taking Maca,for the past 4 months, Use OPKs, temp charts, tried egg meets egg plan, you name it done it even preseed, musinex. HUGS HUGS FRIENDS

 

[tiatammy]

Angel- wow, what a story! I would fire that damnable doctor today! Whata useless bunch of crap he gave you--and SIX MONTHS? No way does it take that long to get any kind of test back and then to not have the mc testing you specifically organized for Please try to find another doc then let this one have it! Seriously.

Here's my thought. You have had one or more mc's correct? So you have not got any HUGE issues on getting pregnant- just staying that way. I had an mc back in November also and one back in 2003. They are horrible to go through. What my doc told me is that as we age perhaps our corpus luteum deteriorates leaving our embryo without progesterine and the embryo dies. This is one possible theory. So this time round I used progesterone vaginal suppositories as soon as I got my bfp. So I am wondering if you should try this? Have you been having trouble getting bfp or just keeping it or both?

Btw- your weight does not sound like an issue at all

HEHE.. great minds think alike! That is exactly what my friends used to maintain their pregnancies after they had miscarried. The progesterone suppository. I knew someone else would suggest it YAY!

Angel and Tia - we are here for you both, it sounds like you have both had really rough days.. so sorry

Thanks ali it means alot to know we are not alone and have to deal with this on our own, it is sooo heart breaking, you know there are so many having children and just dont care how they care for them and popping them out like popcorn the simple way to put it, and here we are longing for a child wanting to give all the care and love in the world to them, and still no results, its hurtful and it angers me. sorry rambling. HUGS HUGS FRIENDS

 

[alicatt]

Good news!!! My follicles had grown, and we are all good to go with the IUIs!

My left ovary only has one nice follicle it was 19mm large, and my right ovary has one nice follicle that was 28x24mm. They grew a bunch since Monday when they were 13mm and 16mm! I used a hot water bottle each night for about an hour on just my left side..

Dr ordered the HCG shot to be given right there and then. My IUIs will be 8:30am tomorrow and Saturday.

I asked about the progesterone suppositories, and guess what? He automatically prescribes them and wants his patients to be on them immediately after the IUIs.

I may not like my Dr's bedside manner, but he certainly covers all the bases! The price is a little high perhaps, but I do think I have had solid care. Does anyone know? Is $950/cycle + $350 for the extra IUI a lot? That includes 3 ultrasounds, the consultations with the Dr and the 2 IUIs at a total of $1300.

So in another day or 2 I will be on the flip side of ovulation, and hopefully will be testing in another 8-10 days!

 

[jm1355]

Good news!!! My follicles had grown, and we are all good to go with the IUIs!

My left ovary only has one nice follicle it was 19mm large, and my right ovary has one nice follicle that was 28x24mm. They grew a bunch since Monday when they were 13mm and 16mm! I used a hot water bottle each night for about an hour on just my left side..

Dr ordered the HCG shot to be given right there and then. My IUIs will be 8:30am tomorrow and Saturday.

I asked about the progesterone suppositories, and guess what? He automatically prescribes them and wants his patients to be on them immediately after the IUIs.

I may not like my Dr's bedside manner, but he certainly covers all the bases! The price is a little high perhaps, but I do think I have had solid care. Does anyone know? Is $950/cycle + $350 for the extra IUI a lot? That includes 3 ultrasounds, the consultations with the Dr and the 2 IUIs at a total of $1300.

So in another day or 2 I will be on the flip side of ovulation, and hopefully will be testing in another 8-10 days!

I have no idea how much all of that costs since I have not gone through it, but I do know that I am way excited for you!!!

 

[alicatt]

I have no idea how much all of that costs since I have not gone through it, but I do know that I am way excited for you!!!

Thanks so much Jess! I'm super happy too
So how are you doing? Any ovulation stuff going on? Should be getting to that time?

 

[jm1355]

So, I think I have managed to mess up this month...I have not taken a single OPK nor have I charted my temps. I guess last month really messed with me. The only thing I have done is started back on my prenatal vitamins, taken primrose oil, and mucinex.

I havent even called the FS because I haven't talked to BF about him having a SA done. Just haven't had the time or energy for that conversation...too many wedding showers, weddings, baby showers, graduations, graduation parties, and of course the NBA playoffs...Lol!

I guess I will have to get back on it next month. Seems kind of pointless to start now since I am on CD14. Hmmm...maybe not. I ovulated on CD15 last month...maybe I will test it tonight and tomorrow morning...

 

[alin3boys]

alicatt so excited for you hun

 

[alicatt]

So, I think I have managed to mess up this month...I have not taken a single OPK nor have I charted my temps. I guess last month really messed with me. The only thing I have done is started back on my prenatal vitamins, taken primrose oil, and mucinex.

I havent even called the FS because I haven't talked to BF about him having a SA done. Just haven't had the time or energy for that conversation...too many wedding showers, weddings, baby showers, graduations, graduation parties, and of course the NBA playoffs...Lol!

I guess I will have to get back on it next month. Seems kind of pointless to start now since I am on CD14. Hmmm...maybe not. I ovulated on CD15 last month...maybe I will test it tonight and tomorrow morning...

Jess.. well maybe you just needed a month off to destress. Sometimes we just need that I hope you are still BD'ing as it sounds like you are fertile right now, or will be very soon!

 

[AngelSerenity]

Ali - so EXCITED for you , I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow!

Clomid broke my skin out as well, I ovulated with it and my levels were extremely high but I didnt conceive with it.

 

[AngelSerenity]

Jess, perhaps in a roundabout way this is what you need, a distraction that will keep your mind occupied and you might relax about things? I don't know if it works but you hear so many stories about they stopped trying and straightaway, or they just relaxed and bingo. I think this is what happened me when I did manage to conceive no.1, so it could be an exciting cycle you never know!

So, I think I have managed to mess up this month...I have not taken a single OPK nor have I charted my temps. I guess last month really messed with me. The only thing I have done is started back on my prenatal vitamins, taken primrose oil, and mucinex.

I havent even called the FS because I haven't talked to BF about him having a SA done. Just haven't had the time or energy for that conversation...too many wedding showers, weddings, baby showers, graduations, graduation parties, and of course the NBA playoffs...Lol!

I guess I will have to get back on it next month. Seems kind of pointless to start now since I am on CD14. Hmmm...maybe not. I ovulated on CD15 last month...maybe I will test it tonight and tomorrow morning...

 

[Grey Eyes]

Angel - glad you are deciding to stay aggressive and positive! That's the view to take! And yes- my progesterone was prescribed. It was a natural progesterone (synthetics cause more problems than benefits) and was awesome. They are not painful at all, best to insert just before bed so you are laying down Wear a panty liner as they are messy but soooo worth it! Re: spirituality. I used to attend a Christian church also and volunteered tons of my time but when I came in for early prayer and caught the very married old pastor and the ex-prostitute assistant pastor going at it behind the podium I was very disillusioned. So yes, I am still very spiritual but I have sort of given up on church IYKWIM? I know where you are coming from!

Ali- I am not sure about average cost for IUI's to get pregnant...but I know from experience that $1300 will be a drop in the bucket once you are pregnant and the baby is born and goin' through diapers! I am so happy that your follicles are where they need to be! Can't wait for an update tomorrow!

Jess- I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering if you and BF had talked about the SA's again...I am sorry he is being a bit hard-headed about it. Maybe tell him you'd consider a donor since he is too insecure to get the test done? (Think reverse psychology will work ? ) Got my fx'd for you though! And yes, you're not out this month just because you haven't temped or anything. Sounds like you know your cycle!

Tia- hope you are having a better day today- it is so hard to stay positive but you are a otugh lady!

Phil- wow, already scheduling your first u/s! I am excited for you! And here I am going to poke a bit of fun (just for fun) if you need to start eating more girl let's start with something beside SEEDS! Start with something like a ham sandwich or some pot roast

 

[alicatt]

And yes- my progesterone was prescribed. It was a natural progesterone (synthetics cause more problems than benefits) and was awesome. They are not painful at all, best to insert just before bed so you are laying down Wear a panty liner as they are messy but soooo worth it!

Hey Coy!

Thanks for being so awesome to all of us Love it when you comment and have such good advice. What was the name of the natural progesterone you used? My Dr's office is going to give me some samples either tomorrow or Saturday that they want me to start taking. It started with a "C". I would prefer to go the natural route too!

Hope you are having an awesome day!!! I am

 

[AngelSerenity]

Thanks Grey Eyes the information helps, I just need to get a doctor who understands my position now and look into things - fingers crossed and all that.

Ali - I'll say it again, mega excited for you xo