Does weight and age REALLY affect TTC?
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Category: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Name: Planning Pregnancy (trying for baby)
Forum Description: Trying to get pregnant? Going through fertility treatment? Just planning your first or second child? There are many people out there in the same boat to help and listen and share with
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Topic: Does weight and age REALLY affect TTC?
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Subject: Does weight and age REALLY affect TTC?
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 7:40pm
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I am over the recommended BMI, yet I am very very fit and active. I can walk 6.5kms a day with my dog and not feel any ill effects. But I am one of 'those' who eats very healthy food, walks and exercises, and doesn't lose weight easily. Ho hum.
I am also 37, nearly 38. Hubby is 35. Neither of us have any medical issues that stop us from conceiving. I don't have any problems getting pregnant now we are at a Fertility Clinic and using IUI, it's just the carrying full-term that I can't manage. I have had 3 mc's - one from natural conception, and when nothing happened for us after a year we got onto a Fertility Clinic and my first IUI was a positive preg but mc'd at 6 weeks. The 3rd IUI also was positive preg but mc'd at 13 weeks - I didn't know anything was wrong until I went for my routine scan - it's been a hard 9 weeks since, but I have already had another unsuccessful IUI, and am about to have my 5th one in the next day or so. My specialist, THE best in Canterbury, and possibly in NZ, tells me I have nothing to worry about weight-wise despite being above the recommended BMI. (I am 5'6", and weigh 103kgs at present). Yet everything I read tells me the exact opposite. Okay some books are out of date, but some aren't either. I know the chances of mc are higher when overweight, and the likelihood of conception lessens with age, but is ANYONE out there who is near that 40yo mark, overweight, and managing to conceive successfully??? I really need to hear some good stories cause I am feeling so disheartened. I have been reading Dr Anne Domar's book 'Coping With Infertility' (because according to what I read on the internet I AM infertile cause I can't carry full-term, yet the Fertility Clinic tells me I AM fertile cause I DO get pregnant). Her book is so incredibly helpful, it's like I am reading my own thoughts and feelings on paper! One thing I have unfortunately discovered though, upon reading some of her case scenarios, I am suffering a bit of depression so I am going to visit my doctor tomorrow about this. I kinda figured that bursting into tears when driving home from work for no known reason is not really normal! And I tend to sleep a lot when I am not working and hubby is at work, apparently that's all signs of depression, so I am kinda a bit scared about that one too. |
Replies:
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:07pm
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I don't know, but I'm wondering if you've seen a nathuropath to also help. I had issues getting pregnant second time around when I knew nothing was wrong cause we'd had one child. We had started fertility testing to find out what was wrong & my nathuropath put me on some minerals I was apparently lacking & then I got pregnant & didn't MC. I had mc'd twice before that.
Who knows...it may help? But hugs hun, so many of us have been there. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:16pm
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I have done the naturopath thing and honestly she had me on 32 tablets a day! I have had my mineral and vitamin levels tested since culling it all and just taking Elevit and I am in perfect condition apparently LOL. I also went to another lady at the same time that worked in well, can't remember what it is called but it's where they lie you down, put all the bottles individually on your throat, and you put your arm/hand in the air and the therapist taps it to see whether or not you need that particular supplement - she windled me down to 12 a day. (I know it sounds very witchy-poo and I wish I could remember the name cause it makes sense when you know what it is!).
Next time I get pregnant - goodness knows WHY I am still thinking about the words 'next time' as I am soooo over all of this - the FClinic will give me a Heparin injection and I will take baby asprin every day, it's quite likely my body is making blood clots while I am pregnant and that is what is killing off my foetus. BTW I had my last foetus tested and there were no genetic disorders - which was great news - but in some ways if they had found a reason then I can't help but think they could work with that - and it was a girl... I burst into tears when they told me that and it was like losing her all over again - I know she was only approx 10 weeks and I didn't find out until my 13 week scan but I saw the foetus on the scan and that haunts me to this very day. The other two scans for my other two losses were just sacs so the impact didn't hit me quite so hard. |
Posted By: hannibal
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:39pm
| Hi, I'd say for me weight definately was a factor in why I couldn't get pregnant - having not been on the pill or any other contracption method for years it just wouldn't happen - suddenly in my middle 30's no kids! It took a very personal tragedy (not losing a baby) to make me really access what I wanted to achieve so I started Sureslim - within a few months of starting this I had lost weight and was pregnant - so I think the change in weight, eating habits and exercising all worked and I was able to cancel the appointment that I had been waiting for at the FC. When I started Sureslim I was abit heavier than you and when I got pregnant I had lost between 18-20kgs. Unfortunately I am up in the weight again and as you can guess no 2nd bubs. I can totally understand where you are now - please don't let things get to you - I know that you are having a hard time (I just read your other thread) but being stressed also won't help. I know its not easy for you to see other people with kids (the waiting rooms etc) but maybe they don't have a choice - and they have probably been in your shoes too! |
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:48pm
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I have no trouble getting pregnant! It's just carrying full-term that's the issue... :(
I have tried every diet plan under the sun, yet I just DON'T lose weight easily. I have tried SS, WW, JC, even a dietician (who scratched her head in disbelief that I didn't have a diet full of crap and I am in fact a very healthy eater - esp as we don't eat any processed foods if we can help it!), and recently Reductil (between pregnancies) with very limited success. My gyno says not to stress over it as I have enough to worry about, but I just can't help thinking and pondering... but if I have struggled with weight all my life it's not exactly going to fall off suddenly is it :( Thanks for your input though, it gives me MORE to think about LOL! |
Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:54pm
| Firstly big hugs to you! & secondly have you had your thyroid checked? I know of a couple of people who have tried everything to lose weight and it came down to their thyroid. |
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:55pm
| Yes I have, and it was fine, but I took 'naturopath' Thyroxine for a while 'just in case' on the naturopath's advice, but nothing improved. And have been tested for all those awful allergies like wheat etc. It's BERLUDDY frustrating but I always think that I live healthy and actively, and eat healthy and sensibly, my cholesterol etc is all good, so inwardly I must be thin LOL. God just gave me the wrong body image! |
Posted By: tarns
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 8:56pm
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Oh gosh I really feel for you. I have a friend who conceived her first baby at 42 and was about 90kg at the time. I also taught a Samoan woman who was 45 and really really big....and pregnant with her 10th (yep you read right) 10th child.
Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom but big  to you and I hope you get a sticky little bean really really soon  ------------- 
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Posted By: linda
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 9:05pm
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I am about 5'7" and now 40 years. My oldest son is now 6 another sone who is nearly 4 and 7 month twins. I had a MC between the 6 and 4 year old and also one just before the twins. I'm no expert in whether weight affects conception but with the twins, it took over a year to conceive. After about 8 months of not conceiving I went on a diet and lost 10kgs. As soon as I lost the 10 kgs (which was my goal) I got pregnant straight away. MC'd, but then conceived two months later with the twins. It didn't take to long to conceive my first son but I never lost the weight with my first pregnancy so it took longer to conceive the second one and I had a MC before my second son was conceived.
For me, losing the weight helped me get pregnant (my view) but maybe my age was against me a bit which is why I had a couple of MC's and it could even be the age thing that made it so much harder to conceive the twins....guess I will never know. Good luck, its not an easy road thats for sure but I do hope that things work well for you. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
Alex 6 and Harry 8 |
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 9:07pm
| I should probably mention that since my last mc I have lost 8kgs, most likely through grief but hey it's gone! |
Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 01 November 2009 at 9:45pm
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Yep, know what you mean, my nathuropath does something similar.
I only had to take the one, Blackmores prescription PCIP, which is potassium & Iron. ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com">
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:22am
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I'm only 32 but have been pregnant 4 times(2 mc's first one chromosome issue second one not sure) and have a 21 month old son and 25 weeks pregnant...I weigh roughly 102kg so very overweight.. and had no problems.
I think for some people it may have an effect though for the people i know who are bigger 90% have had no issues simply from the weight. ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Babe
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 8:42am
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I don't have any advice about concieving coz I'm in my 20s and I mc'd when I was *under* a certain weight but I just wanted to send you a big hug and baby dust!!
I've had about 7 mc's in the last 2 years and it was tough but we got through. Make sure you and your DP do some un-baby-related stuff coz it'll help with the grief and stress and also keep an eye out for PND coz it can strike even with angel babies. I really hope you get a sticky bub chick XOX -------------   
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Posted By: Shezzey
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 9:00am
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Hi Maebebaby... I am sorry to hear about your losses and big hugs to you I think that a big reason for MCs or implantation issues is simply because of our immune systems. It can go into overdrive and treat the embyro like it is a "foreign object" and attack it. From my experience, fertility clinics don't consider immunology or take it seriously and normally recommend IVF before doing thorough testing. Here is a link that will explain the different types of immune reactions... http://www.rialab.com/miscarriages_prevented.php - Here Maybe I should have posted this in your other thread |
Posted By: Mattsmum
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 9:19am
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Hi Maebebaby, sorry to hear of your troubles. I am 36, and very overweight. I've lost count of the number of early miscarriages I have had (had one this weekend) I have had one successful pregnancy though and have a beautiful 1 year old so it is possible. I did loose about 20kg and was on a really healthy eating plan before I had him. I had given up trying and was going to try to adopt a baby instead.
My GP told me it is not impossible to have a baby but is harder. Loosing weight is so much easier said than done though. My thoughts are with you, hope you have some good news soon. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SarahJane
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 9:25am
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Age definately affects ttc.
You have all your eggs when you are born, and then they age with you. Of course it is not absolute, some women do fall pregnant easily in their 40s. But as a general rule, the aging of the eggs does mean that it is harder to get pregnant after around 37 years of age. It doesn't help seeing Madonna and Cherie Blair falling pregnant in their 40s, but they are not the norm. I think a lot of the time egg donation has occurred but you just don't hear about it. GL and FX |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 10:15am
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A good friend of mine was in a similar situation with repeat MC and no reason as to why. She was within normal BMI etc but thought you might like to know here story.
Her 3 mc's were all between 7-9 weeks. She started on the Heprin injections as soon as she got a BFP (she never had to do IUI) and asprin. She was monitored quite closely and had 2 scans prior to the 12 week one and another one between her 12 and 18 weeks scans. She is now about 20 weeks preg and has just been given the go ahead to stop the injections. Fingers cross the injections work for you also. -------------  
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Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 12:20pm
| Thank you Shezzy, that all confirms a lot of what my gyno has had thoughts of, but not prepared to go there 'yet'. Peanut, that was so nice of you to share that with me, that is the plan of action for my next preg, and further to another thread I have on here about taking aspirin prior to pregnancy, I have spoken to my GP today and am taking 100mcg of aspirin from now on. I will tell my gyno tomorrow but want to know why he thought I should have that in conjunction with Heparin and not start the aspirin beforehand. It's so easy to self-diagnose on the internet but when I read stuff about aspirin and ask round, it is just so cut and dry so I am just 'doing it'. |
Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 12:21pm
PS I am having my 5th IUI either tomorrow or Wed so PLEEEEEEEESE cross all fingers, toes, and nosehairs for me!!!!!!!!! I am slightly stressed out about it as I keep thinking 'what if I don't get preg', but then if I do it will be 'what if it doesn't last', so really I am my own worst enemy. 
But I am one VERY stubborn and determined woman so I am not completely down and out yet!!! |
Posted By: ElfsMum
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 12:26pm
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fingers crossed and thinking of you!!!!!!!!!! ------------- Mum to two amazing boys! |
Posted By: Shezzey
Date Posted: 02 November 2009 at 3:30pm
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FX and lots and lots of sticky baby dust to you Maebeebaby |
Posted By: ginger
Date Posted: 08 November 2009 at 8:13pm
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Maebeebaby - I'm wondering whether you have seen a specialist (or if your GYN is an OB/GYN?) about the recurring miscarriages. The reason I ask is that my cousin suffered recurrent miscarriages, and it was when she was put on half an asprin a day (the issue was to do with blood thickening with pregnancy and not being able to pass to the placenta or something along those lines) she carried to term.
What I'm trying to say is ... have they done further investigations as to what is happening? Maybe jumping up and down on someone's foot will help you refocus your strength. (Just in case you've posted endlessly on this - I've just been browsing around and haven't seen anything, so apologies if I'm being OTT) ------------- Cuinn Lachlan 23.1.09 - 22:00 Antonia Helene 4.8.11 - 09:41 |
Posted By: Bberry
Date Posted: 09 November 2009 at 8:08am
Sounds like a kinesiologist. Good luck with the IUI this week. There are alot of people on here crossing fingers and toes and all sorts for you! |
MaebeeBaby wrote:Posted By: MaeBeeBaby
Date Posted: 10 November 2009 at 6:43pm
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Oh yes! Kinesiologist, that's it! Had my IUI last Wed :)
ginger - yes it was suggested by my gyno that aspirin could help me, but he was going to put me on it once I was BFP. I decided, from reading the internet and some stories on here, to start taking it a few days prior to my IUI. Fingers crossed it's my miracle cure :) I have also had intense testing of everything else via bloods and internals, and no reason for my mc's. Wish there was in some ways, cause then they can usually fix it... |