TTC #1 - late thirties

Hi everyone

I'm 38 and DP is 40...we've been together for 2 years and are living in Auckland.

We've decided to start trying for a baby (neither of us have children from previous relationships) and have begun making some lifestyle changes in preparation. (Some more fun than others!!) DP is taking Menevit, I'm taking Blackmores Conceive Well, we're BOTH supposed to be dragging ourselves to the gym but at this stage it's just me...and we have both said goodbye to sauvignon blancs!!

I'm sure this topic has been done a million times in the past, but I'd love to hear from any couples out there in their late thirties who are TTC for the first time...or any 'older mums' who have conceived their first baby recently.


Pickies

Oh wow - that's really interesting! Thanks for that. I'd be keen to try anything along those lines.

I agree - DP and I are not going to be waiting around 'hoping for the best' for months on end because we don't exactly have the luxury of time. This is our first cycle TTC, so we'll get onto it and do as much as we can to boost fertility.

I'll jump on the Charting thread...

Thanks and good luck to you!

Yes, blood tests are next on my list, for both of us.

I haven't been on the pill for years and years. We're gradually finding out what we can do to help things along - I'm glad DP is happy to take Menevit (pricey though) and give up wine. I didn't realise til a few months ago just how great an effect a man's (even moderate) drinking can have on the chances of conceiving.

I don't know much about charting temperature etc. but I've just started using an ovulation microscope which is showing that I'm leading up to ov at the moment. (I have no idea of my ov day.)

Are you charting this time round? What else are you doing to TTC?

Sounds like you and your partner have already made really positive changes to be as fit and healthy as you can be TTC.

I am 40 and have a 4 year old and have been TTC #2 since DD was 1 and its been a very long journey so far so my advice is not to wait too long to seek help if things don't happen for you.

Good luck and all the best for a BFP soon!

babygiraffe:
Sorry to hear of your miscarriages...good on you for 'keeping on keeping on' and looking forward to #2!

I really feel as though it'll happen for me too, whether it's sooner or later, even though the odds are stacked against us 'older' girls. State of mind must help though, I reckon!

Good luck x

Orca1:
Thanks for your good wishes - I will definitely be off to the doc quick smart if things aren't happening.

I'm just starting to chart and becoming more aware of what my body is doing. Like many others, DP and I don't have the luxury of time!

I really hope you have a BFP soon x

Sag76:
How upsetting to be totally mislead as to when you could receive help!! That's invaluable info - thank you.

Yes I'm trying to find out exactly when/if I'm ovulating. As well as using the microscope, I'll be charting my temps (my thermometer arrived today). The microscope is showing major ferning today, a big increase from the last few days of 'transitional' ferning...so looks like I'm ovulating or about to.

I've got the book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' (which is meant to be BRILLIANT) on it's way in the post.

Baby dust to you! xbabygiraffe:

Hi Farmgal, nice to meet someone else in the same boat...

I've started charting my temps, cervical fluid etc. and am finding this really useful in terms of knowing when to BD.

The book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' (and the website) have been absolute gold for gaining an understanding of what is happening to your body and why.

Good luck!!

Hi Pickies,
I started TTC my first boy when 35, fell pregnant within 3 months, miscarriage at 9 weeks, fell preg again within 3 months and had DS1. Started trying for baby #2 in 2011 and fell preg straight away that time.

I had an idea of when i ovulated - mucous etc and so we had sex every second day 5 days prior and 5 days post. I didn't really do anything else (apart from Folic Acid) and it happened pretty naturally for us thank goodness.

I have a lot of friends in their late 30's who have had babies and only 1 had any fertility issues.

Farmgal, I know where you're coming from - I'm pretty obssessed too...have been reading a LOT of info online!

I'm only just learning all the pregnancy lingo too - like a different language really. BD is 'baby dancing'...won't tell you what I thought it was!! hehe. There's a few lists out there, which you can save for easy reference like me :)

Charting your cervical fluid is all about learning to recognise your most fertile conditions. (eg. your fluid might change from sticky to egg-whitish to wet to lotion-like etc.) That book 'Taking Charge of Your Fertility' explains all that, and how to 'chart'. Their website has lots of examples of charting by 'real people' to get your head around what to do.

I haven't changed my diet. Just having ConceiveWell by Blackmores (similar to Elevit) and have my man taking Menevit and Vitamin B.

I haven't tried using an ovulation kit. But I bought an ovulation microscope from Baby 4 You for $45 which tests saliva for salt content. (You see ferning patterns very clearly as your eostrogen increases and ovulation approaches.) Quite fun and seems to work for me.

Funny, I keep checking for sore boobs...but no. Ooh good luck, not long to wait n see!

Hi Farmgal

I've been away for Easter at my parents' farm...didn't get my mind off babies much haha.

Did you get your AF in the weekend? I'm due this weekend and think it will arrive, damn it!!

Hi Pickies,

I have my fingers crossed AF stays away for you!
She turned up on Saturday much to my disappointment...I knew by Wednesday it was happeneing due to the cramps and my crappy mood!
I may change from Elevit to the Blackmores one. Elevit is so pricey!
I started that Fertlity Friend chart thingy....don't really know what I am doing, but it's quite interesting anyway.
I am feeling April may be the month for both of us! Hope you had a fab Easter.....we had amazing weather down here until today.
Got the fire going....may drop a few hints fo BD in a few days by it aye!