TTC at 37

[LNW1978]

Hello ladies,

I am 37 and my husband and I are trying to conceive. We have an eight year old and a six year old, with each it took no time for us to conceive. I have been on a birth control pill (lowest dose) now since just after my youngest was born. I am using an ovulation predictor kit (sorry I'm not good at the abbreviations) and have been ovulating now for three days. I stopped taking the pill December 4th and started my period almost immediately following. I started counting my days the day my period started and was right on the day for ovulation. I realize my chances have decreased considerably because of my age, and this worries me. Has anyone else had any issues with their age, or because of a birth control pill? I have been taking fish oil now for over a year, also am taking a prenatal chew and fertility blend. I guess now I am in the two week waiting stage where I have to wait to test and it's driving me insane!

 

[Rhelen91]

Hi there LNW, I'm only 24 so age hasnt really been a concern for me whilst trying to concieve, but I was on the depo for a year after my first baby, and I've now been off that for a year. It really messed my system up and took 6 months after coming off to even have a period, so only been actively ttc from then. Good luck and hope you get your BFP (positive test) soon xx

 

[LNW1978]

Thanks so much Rhelen91! I was on the depo shot with my first pregnancy and ended up delivering a stillborn at 7 mos. it really did a number on me as well. I was hoping the pill wouldn't be such an issue. Best of luck to you as well!!

 

[J9nine]

Hi LNW1978, sorry to hear about your loss, that must be such a hard thing to go through.

I am 36 and TTC my 1st. I am really quite concerned about my age however lots of my friends are in their mid to late 30's and conceiving for the first time and pretty quickly which I find very reassuring. I would love to hear from others in a similar situation to us though.

We've only been trying properly since August, this cycle will be no. 5 but I am already getting quite frustrated. My cycles are pretty regular (27-29 days) and I think I ovulate slap bang in the middle so no problems with short luteal phases or anything. My periods are heavy and painful but they've not found any cause for concern with them so I am fairly confident that I am ok. Hopefully therefore it should happen for us soon.

I'd also be interested to hear from older mothers who have gone to the Dr for help, how long it took to get a referral and then how long the wait was for an appointment. The internet suggests that over 35's should see the Dr after 6 months but when I spoke to my Dr a couple of weeks ago she said we'd have to be trying for a year before we could be referred.

x

 

[hopeful1976]

Hey girlies,
I concieved my 2nd at 37, gave birth at 38, just turned 39 few days ago and have an amazing SUPER GORGEOUS girl who is 5 and a half months...It took us over a year to concieve and I was getting worried as with my first ( 13 years ago ha ha ha ) it took hmmmmm one night but we got their at the end! I just kept tracking my ovulation and that's the best advice I can give, we used clearblue ovulation tests and I swear by them. Also hubby was on wellman conception vitamins which I am convinced worked for us and helped concieve. .. Planning to start ttc for number 3 soon, when the little one is about 10 months, so might be joining you in pregnancy section (HOPEFULLY ) one day soon. GOOD LUCK GIRLS, hope mystory helps. Don't worry about the age, still way too young to worry xxx

 

[fairyprincess]

Hi, hope your TTC #3 journey is a short one x

 

[LNW1978]

J9nine have you gotten a second opinion? Maybe another doctor would tell you differently and put your mind at ease?
Hopeful1976 thanks so much for your input!!
I'm really getting confused. I'm using two different brands of opk's. One is regular and the other is digital. The regular says I'm not still ovulating, just a very faint line. The digital opk has given me a smiley face for 5 days now. I know I ovulated as I could physically tell. Pregnancy test (taken tonight) was negative. I've read this could be several things. Has anyone had this issue?

 

[J9nine]

I had that with the cheapies, no line at all. The clearblue ones gave me a result straight away!

Given that it has only been 4 months I'm going to try for a couple more cycles then go back to the Dr. The research I have read says that 90% of people will fall pregnant within a year, I'm sure it's slightly less over 35 but the odds are still quite positive so I'm hopefully X

 

[Birdie]

I'd also be interested to hear from older mothers who have gone to the Dr for help, how long it took to get a referral and then how long the wait was for an appointment. The internet suggests that over 35's should see the Dr after 6 months but when I spoke to my Dr a couple of weeks ago she said we'd have to be trying for a year before we could be referred.x

It sounds like your Dr is creating her own interpretation of the NICE guidelines - to your disadvantage I wouldnt be speaking with that particular Dr about infertility if it were me! She is either being pressured not to follow the NICE guidelines for financial reasons by her practice or is not sympathetic to infertility in older women! The guidelines state that women over 36 can be referred earlier than a year and most practises even do it from 35 years old. Print out the guidelines & take them in with you!

I am 36 and was sent for bloods & a scan & DH for SA as soon as I told them we'd been trying 6 months. I could then have been referred further to a specialist if I had wanted that.