Warm Winter Wishes and BFP's 40 ++ TTC - Page 24

[LitMama]

I have my fingers crossed for you, Gumblossom! You have always had fertility super powers -- I believe your next BFP is just around the corner. I hope you can muddle through solo (with that creative little spirit underfoot!) until your DH comes home. 

WaturMama, sorry to hear you're having to deal with these issues with your progesterone supps. Is it possible to ask your doc for a different brand? The progesterone supps I've been prescribed in the past are a soft white substance, no coating at all. Have you tried the natural cream that you can rub into your skin? 

Shell, how great that you found a TCM practitioner! How do you like her/him? The book you're reading is by a celebrity TCM doctor who lives in my town. Her protocol is pretty intense, no? I think I would have to quit my job and maybe farm out my family to have the time and energy to follow it. Have you read Randine Lewis' books? The Infertility Cure is great, as are her other books. Similar Eastern thinking to Angela Wu, but a gentler protocol and a very different voice. I love her blogs, they're full of inspiring writings.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in about dental stuff... I decided to go ahead and do it. My old crown was broken (and the records from when it was created no longer available), so I had to do something. I investigated and felt that the peroxide whitening and the (pretty minimally-invasive) dental work would be okay. Interesting cycle for me... both my hypnotherapist and my TCM doc were utterly convinced I was pg (and they had predicted my last pregnancy in the same way). My TCM person was so convinced, in fact, that after my last appointment, she only gave me pregnancy herbs, no AF herbs! But apparently that little spirit wasn't ready to stay. I never tested, just waited for AF to show (which she did), so I'll never know for sure. But, DD and I did have the stomach flu shortly after implantation time, which I imagine is not so great for a little bean trying to get settled. In other news, DD and I have decided to skip the international trip I mentioned for a variety of reasons, but DH is going. Now, I have my fingers crossed it won't be during O time! 

[gumblossom]

Thanks Litmama for the comment about fertility superpowers!LOL!I hope you're right. Having been trying for so long,practially on my own(DH and I don't discuss it,he doesn't know I get sad every time I get AF,month after month), I'm beginning to feel despondent,and that I should stop being silly and get on with my life.

I know I can "get on with my life" while I ttc,and that's basically what I'm doing, but no matter what, it's still at the front of my mind.

You know, I think there's a good chance you were pregnant. I think I may have been too- I think that implantation isn't happening for me.I just feel so confident in the week after ovulation and have so many symptoms, but then the symptoms slowly fall away, and I really do wonder if maybe the egg is fertilized, but not good enough,or maybe my lining's not good enough. I'm thinking about getting some good progesterone cream.Can anyone suggest some?I've used the wild yam type, but have heard it is next to useless, so need something better.

And I'm bummed because my DH is going away again in a week's time for a week, which means he won't be back til day 15, so we might miss the ovulation window.I've been trying to think of ways to delay ovulation, but maybe it would be better to just let it go,and see what happens.

Has anyone here taken DHEA? I've taken it for the last 4 months, but only in the first part of my cycle (til O day).I know with IVF protocols, it is taken for 4 full months til treatment. Should I stop now, or continue as I didn't take it the whole months? I'm not sure what to do.

Shell - sounds like everything is going well for you. Well done on your diet.I know it is hard to be on a strict regimin.

I have a two hour yoga class today.Can't wait.It has been ages.I just wish AF wasn't coming with me.I hope she behaves!

[Shell77]

Originally Posted by LitMama 

I have my fingers crossed for you, Gumblossom! You have always had fertility super powers -- I believe your next BFP is just around the corner. I hope you can muddle through solo (with that creative little spirit underfoot!) until your DH comes home. 

WaturMama, sorry to hear you're having to deal with these issues with your progesterone supps. Is it possible to ask your doc for a different brand? The progesterone supps I've been prescribed in the past are a soft white substance, no coating at all. Have you tried the natural cream that you can rub into your skin? 

Shell, how great that you found a TCM practitioner! How do you like her/him? The book you're reading is by a celebrity TCM doctor who lives in my town. Her protocol is pretty intense, no? I think I would have to quit my job and maybe farm out my family to have the time and energy to follow it. Have you read Randine Lewis' books? The Infertility Cure is great, as are her other books. Similar Eastern thinking to Angela Wu, but a gentler protocol and a very different voice. I love her blogs, they're full of inspiring writings.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in about dental stuff... I decided to go ahead and do it. My old crown was broken (and the records from when it was created no longer available), so I had to do something. I investigated and felt that the peroxide whitening and the (pretty minimally-invasive) dental work would be okay. Interesting cycle for me... both my hypnotherapist and my TCM doc were utterly convinced I was pg (and they had predicted my last pregnancy in the same way). My TCM person was so convinced, in fact, that after my last appointment, she only gave me pregnancy herbs, no AF herbs! But apparently that little spirit wasn't ready to stay. I never tested, just waited for AF to show (which she did), so I'll never know for sure. But, DD and I did have the stomach flu shortly after implantation time, which I imagine is not so great for a little bean trying to get settled. In other news, DD and I have decided to skip the international trip I mentioned for a variety of reasons, but DH is going. Now, I have my fingers crossed it won't be during O time! 

Thank You for the Book references ... Angela Wu is very tough !! lol I am finding it very hard to follow. !! I did cut out the caffeine and High Fructose syrups and so forth... No cold drinks.. (that is really tough) . As far as my TCM goes... I am not sure how I feel yet.. I mean she really didnt talk much to me about my situation and she didnt offer any herbs... She just jumped right into the accupuncture and said I need it once a week... I hope its not just for the money. But anyway I am doing  the accupunture and she puts a red light over my belly while relaxiong and that is it . So is that normal for a TCM? I am going to my ob/gyn tomorrow to go over my sonogram and talk about options ... I am hopeing I am already carrying my little bean

             

[WaturMama]

Thanks for the good wishes!

Litmama, thank you for confirming my suspicion that the real suppository doesn't have those "extras," I'll be sure to ask for that next time. I'm glad that the proceeding with the dental work seems okay.

Shell! Congrats on the ewcf!! I sure find the stuff reassuring myself. :)  I'm glad you found a TCM person. I hope you have your little bean. Wishing for you.

Gumblossom, from what you describe, I thought of progesterone too. Could you get the suppositories? I spoke to a midwife after my first miscarriage last year. She strongly recommended the progesterone. At the time I resisted it, but it stuck with me that she said, not the cream, the suppositories. Her experience was that it helped older mamas, but she didn't know why. It was just what she'd observed. I needed a reason and I finally got it when I read Alan Beer's book. She also had a story of a 46 year-old who got pg naturally and had a baby after 6 miscarriages. I hold that story in my heart.

[gumblossom]

WAturmama, I wonder why she said not the cream?I've heard it said too, but wondered why, when I keep reading testimonials about how great the cream can be. I ordered some today.I figured I would take it until I get a bfp then call my doctor about the suppositories. I'm afraid my doc isn't too knowledgeable, but is open to what I say. I may have to get an appointment and see if she'll prescribe it for the tww. She's so hard to get into,and last time I mentioned it she said,"just call me once you get a bfp".But maybe that's why I'm not getting a bfp?However my progesterone level was normal when I was tested? Phew, my head is spinning!

I also don't know what to do about the DHEA.

My AF was fairly short lived again. I only had two full days of bleeding, so I worry that I don't have a nice enough lining. I'm going to try a bit harder to take the nettle infusions daily. I always start off with the best intentions, but get lazy.

I do like the story about the 46 year old having a babe after 6 miscarriages.That is an inspiring story.

[Shell77]

Thank You Waturmama   So I have a question and I hope you Ladies can help me out... I went to my ob gyn today  ( I absolutley love her) She said that my cyst that I had on my ovary is GONE!!! yaaaay and that everything seems to be ok.. except my DH motility , So good news is she said she is pretty positive a IUI would take immediatley,, So my question to her was  "Well how can you tell if my tubes are not blocked?" So she said she is going to Schedule me for a HSG test if and when I start my cycle.  This makes me so happy!! So my question for you is have you ever had a hsg test? and do they hurt? and i also heard that after women have hsg test that they are most fertile?  ... Hopefully I wont need this test!!  But I am so glad that the option is there if I do have a new cycle... and as far a DH goes.. I am giving him LOTS of vitamins and hopefully that will help his little swimmers swim faster lol.... She didnt say anything to me about progesterone...

[WaturMama]

I think she and my TCM person thought the cream wasn't strong enough. I know there are a lot of testimonials. Can't hurt! My progesterone is normal, too, but the thing that convinced me was the Dr. Beer book saying as we have more m/cs we can have more immune issues. (Sigh.) And again, can't hurt. My other RE didn't particularly recommend it, but said all it would hurt was my wallet. One wonderful thing is that my insurance, which has been such a hassle, actually covers this medication really well when I get the generic.

Shell, fabulous news about the cyst! Yay, and yes I hear the same about the HSG test and think a few women here have had that experience, but I haven't myself. The IUI does sound promising in your situation.

I'm on either 13 or 15 dpo. My RE said with the progesterone to test at 14 dpo and if its negative stop taking the progesterone. That makes me really reluctant to test!

[LitMama]

WaturMama, 13 or 15dpo, so close! I understand your reluctance to test. That's the thing I hate about taking progesterone... it's so hard to pull the plug. I'm very curious to hear more about how progesterone can help mamas over 40. My new Ob/Gyn (the one whom I liked and who performed my ectopic surgery) told me I shouldn't bother with it. She said REs like to prescribe it because ART procedures tend to deplete one's natural progesterone levels, but that there's no evidence it actually helps (only that it can delay a m/c that would have happened anyway). During my last pg (the ectopic), my progesterone was on the low end of normal (10) but even at that level she said my body should have produced enough to support a pregnancy. Anyway, I'm just curious to hear more about it helping, because I'd want to take it next time if that's the case.

Gumblossom, you asked about DHEA... I took it for 9 months and I'm afraid it didn't help me. In fact, it may have hurt me, as I didn't have even a chemical pg the whole time. It did give me horrible side effects... I had greasy skin and terrible acne on my face, neck and chest the whole time. On the up side, I think it is a mood elevator and I think I felt that. Just a little boost, the equivalent of having a cup of coffee every morning (I think I remember what that's like!). If you haven't tried it, it could be worth a try. I took 75/mg per day, but some people take as little as 25/mg per day. The side effects disappeared within a week of stopping it.

Shell, I had an HSG recently so can tell you what it's like. It is painful, but very brief and nothing you can't handle, I'm sure. It's just a moment of strong cramping. I took some ibuprofin beforehand and it helped. It is supposed to give you a boost for 1-3 months afterwards, as your tubes will be especially clear and open, even dilated, for a while afterward. We tried the same month as my HSG and we may have conceived, I'm not sure. I'm hoping the boost will continue for another cycle or two for us. I think maybe Fuller (on this forum) conceived her son after an HSG? I could be wrong...

[Shell77]

Waturmama 13 to 15 dpo? That is so exciting!! If I ever am that far past my O I would be so excited!! My lp only last 10 day's tops ... which is not good!! But i am on B6 for that so crossing my fingers on this cycle!! I cant wait for you to get that BFP

Litmama WOW your news is so encouraging to me!! I am on Cycle day 18 and 6 dpo ... this is going to be a tough 2 WW ... I'm already wanting to test lol ... I guess I will take a vicodin when they do the hsg test... I hate pain!!! and i usually dont cramp that bad on AF.

So my chart on FF looks different than usual ... Good different !! I am still praying for everyone!! Baby Dust to ALL!!!

[salt_phoenix]

Hi mamas! I haven't been around MDC in YEARS (I still recognize a few of you) but just had to stop by if even for a moment to give kudos and encouragement with my own tales.

2 live births: 1988 & 1997

4 m/c's over the years. 8 wks, 13 wks, 17 wks. & 20 wks.

TTC again at 38.

I m/c at age 39 @ 7 wks. 2007

1 month later, BFP!

@ 40 Ms. EmberLotus was born Jan.08 - She was an unassisted hospital birth after 5 weeks of bedrest with PPROM. @ 35 wks. -healthy 5 lbs. She's FOUR YEARS OLD NOW! <3   (that story has probably been archived on MDC for sure!)

m/c at age 42 @ 8 wks. 2010

I have, against ALL ODDS, found myself pregnant again just a month shy of 45!!!!  -against all odds means adding age to the rare and random rendezvous with my estranged dh you know, putting the ex back into sex   and I do mean rare. lol. Not specifically TTCing. Not doing a thing to prevent it.

A 1% chance to even get pg w my own eggs already gave the little double liner the name "Miracle" but with a 50-75% chance of m/c (or more with my history) I am not hanging on to false hopes, just a bit tickled at the idea and possibility!

All of these pregnancies have been naturally conceived.

If nothing else, it gives hope to everyone. If you can get pregnant, you can probably get pregnant again.

AFM- I eat a WAP/Pollan endorsed diet and have for many years.

4 pgs. in 6 yrs. Not too bad for an "old lady".

I have no idea how pg I am. I only realized a week ago that I hadn't had a period since some weird spotting a month or so ago that I contributed to "perimenopausal"  and most recently some nagging nausea, exhaustion and when the sore nipples didn't turn into AF,  I "knew" and ran out for an ept, which I hadn't bought in years, I didn't even wait to run by the $tree for one like I used to buy by the bags full back in the day. I don't know that I have EVER paid full price for an ept. lol. It was instant and it was dark BFP.  
Knowing how my own symptoms time out, and knowing I had AT LEAST a AF in Jan. and MAYBE one in Feb. lol.... I really am quite regular but quit charting because, I didn't have a reason to? lol 

I guesstimate about 6-8 weeks along.  I will give things another couple of weeks before I go for an u/s for a +/- DD. Still roughballing it. I'm calling mid-late November 2012.

Other than DEH (dear estranged hubby) NO ONE KNOWS but ALL OF MDC.

Imma keep this under wraps w/friends and possibly forever with my family until my nausea and/or time or loss continues the story.

Again, I know my "odds" of a successful live birth. I am just open to what life is or isn't offering up right now. I find myself here for a reason. I intend to find out what it is!

Just a boost hopefully for the hopefuls. It's possible. I'm beginning to think the "statistics" are just a bit skewed. ;-)

Just a month or two ago, dd 4 climbs in my lap and says to me (with dad in the room) My little brother is in your tummy! We laughed and laughed at this silliness she'd just delivered seemingly out of the blue. I never thought about it again until a few days ago. WTF!?!?   How come siblings are always the first to know? lol

Guess we will see what happens!

Much love to those I love at MDC! and not so much love for those I don't love at MDC lol  I did disappear for a reason. Hopefully I won't have those kinds of issues anymore.

[WaturMama]

Wow, salt-phoenix, that is indeed inspiring! Thank you for stopping by, and A for attitude for you!! Lots of good wishes!!

AFM, I took a hpt yesterday and got a very clear bfn. I took the progesterone an extra night agst my doctors instructions and all my granola-y minimizing medications ways to postpone my period a little because all was lined for my dh and I not to be together for my upcoming fertile time. Some spotting started today, so its going to be close. If this turns into bleeding I'll be home on CD14. I'm heading off to visit family, so will be a less frequent visitor, though will probably lurk a plenty and try to figure out if I can post. I'll be sending you all good wishes.

Litmama I had heard the m/c delay was minimal and kind of am glad to see AF start anyway (stubborn ol' thing) despite the prog, for that reason. I noticed that my symptoms were far less than when I'm pumping out the stuff on my own. I think it is just a little boost. Not time to go over the reasons for the prog right now (packing is crazy!!), but some of it is in this thread in my recent posts and some of gumblossom's, I believe. (((hug)))

[Stevi]

Progesterone cream delayed my second miscarriage. To me that just proved that it can help a shaky pregnancy grow stronger. Especially considering that it has never stopped my period from coming, or even extending my lp.

I don't have access to suppository progesterone, nor can I afford the cream every month. So I have decided that I will start using it immediately upon getting a BFP. (Which is really unlikely with my lack of sperm!)

[siddal]

Hi ladies, I hope everyone is doing well.  I haven't been online much, as I have been in the midst of some lovely 24/7 1st trimester nausea, but I have been thinking of you and wishing everyone lots of good vibes.

I wanted to offer up a couple of things if anyone can use them.  I have two Clearblue Digital pregnancy tests, still sealed in their individual wrappers (and with the box and instructions).  I bought a 3 pack and only needed 1.  

I also have 8 individually wrapped Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test strips that go with this digital ovulation kit:  http://www.clearblueeasy.com/clearblue-one-month-digital-ovulation-test.php

if anyone needs more strips to extend the life of their kit.

I just bought these in January so that should be fine for a good while, yet.

 

I'm happy to mail these to whomever would like them and don't want anything for them.  Feel free to claim them here so others know they are spoken for, and then PM your address.  I'll mail them right out.

 

Hugs to all, Robin

[gumblossom]

That's a lovely offer Robin, but I'll let someone in the U.S go for it(I live in Australia), as postage would be a bit high, and also I don't have that ovulation kit. I'm sorry you're dealing with 24/7 nausea.That must be very difficult, but also reassuring that you have a healthy baby growing in there.How wonderful.

Waturmama, I'm sorry this wasn't your month, but I like the sounds of how the progesterone has helped you. I'm still not sure what to do.I think I'll probably stick with the cream,and when I get a BFP will go for the prescription stuff. As my Progesterone was good on day 21, maybe that isn't stopping a BFP. I worry that my lining isn't thick enough, period is still quite light and short in duration. So I'm faithfully drinking nettle/clover infusions daily.

I've been saying a lot of affirmations and one of them is about listening to the universe about what I may need to help me along this journey. So, I was in the Health Food store yesterday,and there was a table of sale items. I suddenly felt that I should have a look,and that if there was Vitex on sale,I should buy some- and there was!So I kind of feel like I should take it for a while and see if it helps.I'd like to put my ovulation off for a couple of days, but I don't know if that'd help as I usually O on day 14.DH will be home on day 15.

Salt_Phoenix - thanks for your inspiring story.I hope it's a sticky babe.

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by fuller2 

I would like to announce the birth of my gorgeous baby boy on March 7 2012!  I had a very long labor but was with an amazing team of midwives at a great hospital here along with my amazing doula (who is also a homebirth midwife), a dear friend, my partner, and my 9-year-old (who was there to see little brother enter the world) -- and the whole experience was actually fantastic. Baby was 9 lbs 13 oz!

I did have to get an induction because of the discovery of low amniotic fluid at 40 weeks (even Ina May agrees that this situation requires an induction) but I did go into early labor myself before the induction began so they were able to skip cervical ripening and they went amazingly easy on the Pitocin. I have to say that many of my fears about hospital birth were completely vanquished by this experience.  It IS possible to have a good hospital birth, even an induced labor, if you have the right support team -- and I really did. 

Sending you all very fertile wishes!  (and for those of you waiting for books -- will send them soon and sorry for the delay!)

Congratulations Fuller2!!!  Also, hello and hugs to WaturMama and Gumblossom!

[Shell77]

Af started today ... I spotted all day yesterday and was hoping it would stop. So I guess I will be having that hsg test. Pretty sad today.

[gumblossom]

Shell, so sorry about AF. I'm sure it'll just be a matter of time (though I know how hard the waiting is).It sounds to me you are doing all the right things. I always hear how fertile women are after the HSG. ((HUGS))

[Shell77]

Thank You Gumblossom!! I did a accupuncture treatment today as well.. so Next Tuesday I go for my HSG then wednesday another accupuncture treament. My tcm said 15 treaments and I will be pregnant.... 13 more to go !!

[LROM]

Hello Lovely Ladies, I was going to wait until I'm totally sure what's going on to post, but since it's looking like whatever is going on, it isn't the best news, I wanted to at least share my "There's Still Hope!" news before I got too depressed to post at all!

So the good news... I found out just over a week ago that at 46 yrs old, I was pregnant!  With my own eggs, without any interventions at all. 

A little history, I got pregnant for the first time at 39, m/c at 6 weeks spontaneously.  Pregnant again at 41, missed m/c at about 8 weeks, d&c. 

Pregnant again at 42, that little bean stuck in a big way and now have awesome 3 yr old daughter.  Went to 41 weeks (much to my OB's dismay, as he was asking about induction at about 34 weeks!), worked up to 2 days before going into labor, c-section, and breastfed until she was 2 1/2 yrs old and me 45 (only stopped cuz of a car accident/medication).  Smart as a whip and healthy too, feel incredibly blessed. 

Pregnant again at 44, this one went all the way to 18 weeks but the 1st Trimester Screen showed awful odds for all 3 problems, and we knew at about 13 weeks it was likely the sweet bean wouldn't make it to term.  Tried to be induced to avoid a D&E... it seemed to go well, but a whole month later, lots of hemorraging and 2 blood transfusions because still "products of conception" in my uterus and keeping it from closing up properly.

That last m/c of course scared us and discouraged us.  Plus with my age, we figured that was probably it.  QUITE SUPRISING to wake up a couple weeks ago with sore boobs and thinking "when was A/F due??", took a test, BFP! 

So that is the "There's Still Hope!!" part of my story, we found ourselves preggers with me at 46!

Now the sad news... my HCG numbers are just not rising the way they need to.  Going in tomorrow for a 4th blood test/HCG read, and a 1st ultrasound.  I think I'm probably about 5 1/2 weeks now... doc already said we won't see much on U/S but she's trying to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.  Either way, it's just not looking good with the numbers and of course we're so sad.

Not feeling very hopeful now, but still so grateful and so humbled by the fact that we're even in this situation.  So I wanted to share this with all you awesome ladies, because I know we are all looking for this!!!

Wish me luck tomorrow, and I continue to wish you all the most fertile and stickiest baby dust in the world!  Besos mamas!

[sherryvhkb]

wow lrom.  I mostly lurk here but what a sad, amazing, and also inspirational path you have had!  I wish you tons of luck tomorrow!