40 years old, been on the POP for 6 years, what should I be doing?

[DubChick]

Hi

I'm new on here and was hoping for a little advice please?

Hubby and I would like to start ttc for a baby together after Christmas. I have 3 children from a previous relationship (in between my oldest two children I had a partial molar pregnancy followed by a D+C and 6 months of urine and blood tests before the hcg hormone left my body, and then an early mc) and hubby has a child to someone else.

I've been on the mini pill for 6 years after my youngest daughter was born, and I've had irregular bleeding for most of that time.

I used to chart my bbt when I was ttc dd1 and dd2, which I would like to start doing again, but realise I need to come off the pill first. We'd like to start ttc after Christmas, and I have a few questions please?

I was going to come off the pill after Christmas, so should I leave it until then before starting conception vitamins/folic acid, or can I take them now? I'm aware I'm classed as a geriatric now, so with the risks of things like spina bifida being higher, I was thinking I should start taking vitamins as soon as possible before we actually start ttc???

Also, should we leave it a couple of months after coming off the pill before we ttc, to give my body a rest and so I have a better idea if I'm ovulating - and if so, when in my cycle?

Is there anything else I can do now or after Christmas that may help our journey, that's not going to cost a fortune as we're hoping to move house in the new year, to somewhere that needs a lot of work doing on it!

Many thanks in anticipation for your advice! Xx

 

[Melly41]

Welcome dubchick! Ive not taken bc do cant advise you on whether or not its good to wait. More women in the 40s are having babies. Im 42 and ttc #3. I have a 12 and 10 yr old and both decided we'd like a 3rd before its no longer possible.i think there isnt any harm taking your vitamins now although generally its whilst your ttc and tgen for 1st 3 months of pregnancy. I was also told to take vit d (i did get bfp in july but had mmc in sept). Ive now started to take low dose asprin 75mg. Midwfie said i would need to take from 12 weeks due to my age but that they suggest it to those who have had multiple mc's. The chances for us are slimmer due to being 40+ so it might take a few months. This forum is great for keeping you sane during the long waits between ttc and testing day!

Ive also cut down on caffeine and excercise regularly as this is supposed to help! Time will tell! Best of luck x

 

[DubChick]

Thank you, that's great. I wasn't sure if being on the pill would delete the effects of taking folic acid? I've no idea, I feel like I'm starting all over again really lol.

I do take vitamin d anyway as I'm low in that every now and again. I'll make sure I take it every day from now on, to build it back up again then, thank you.

I hope it happens for you again soon! Baby dust to you xx

 

[Melly41]

Exciting stuff! Hopefully you wont have yo wait to long x

 

[Sunflower1]

It's good to take folic acid for at least 3 month before TTC. Don't know about the pill. I imagine it could take a while for your hormones to stabilise and for your body to detox. If you BBT you will be able to see if you are ovulating. I'd ask a doctor about it to be honest.

I'm 42 (today) and TTC. I am off alcohol, very low on caffeine and trying to eat well.

 

[Shepherdess]

the pop does leave your body quicker then the combined pill, I would maybe say it would be a good idea to wait until you have had a proper period once you stop the pill but it probably doesn't matter.

if you are wanting to give your body a little rest why not stop taking it now and use condoms until the new year

 

[Melly41]

Happy birthday sunflower.hope you have a nice evening.lets hope 42 is a lucky number for us both x

 

[treetrunks]

Hi, welcome to the madness of ttc. Im 38, we both have children from previous relationships and have been ttc for over 2 years, not been an easy journey.
Im sure you won't have problems conceiving but if I were you I would get going with it as soon as possible just in case.
I would start taking your vitamins as soon as possible and finish the pop to let your body return to normal and if you catch straightaway that's fantastic but if not you know you haven't hung around.
Good luck and see you on here soon with poas craziness ! Xxx

 

[DubChick]

Thank you ladies, that's great advice.

Happy birthday sunflower! Hope you have a lovely day!

I'll see if I can get in at the doctors for a chat about whether it's worth taking folic acid whilst still on the pop. I don't see why it would cancel out the benefits or anything because the pop it's just a hormone and surely I would just be building up my folic acid stores (???), but I don't know for sure.

treetrunks I hope you conceive soon, sending lots of babydust to you xx

 

[Melly41]

Good advice from shepherdess re: stopping now and using condoms as hopefully your cycles will get back to normal quicker!