TTC for #2 at 36 almost 37

[u/always__cheesecake]

My husband and I have been trying for another. I’ve been taking prenatals, use my Oura ring, and Natural Cycles. Flo is also sometimes. I track my ovulati0n with clear blue digital and sometimes use the strips. The strips just give me different readings whenever i scan it into the NC app. We also use the every other day method as suggested by my OB.

It’s disheartening to see others getting pregnant around me after they had IVF. I’m happy for them, but now I am starting to know how they feel.

Are there any other tips to help conceive? I turn 37 in October. It took me about five months with my first.
What worked for you? Thanks in advance.

[u/MyShipsNeverSail]

If you're over 35, seeking testing and maybe even a Reproductive Endocrinologist is recommended after 6 months

[u/Dogsanddonutspls]

In a similar boat - don’t know how long you’ve been trying but lab work up with your OB couldn’t hurt. I’m about to be 36 and my OB said it just might take longer at this age but 6-12 months can very much be the norm for many. 

It’s so easy to feel discouraged though!

[u/eriftaf]

I got pregnant spontaneously at the age of 39 after 5 years of on and off fertility treatment since my first baby. I believe what helped me was my overall health was back to when I was trying for my first and general low stress level. You should definitely get the tests to rule out any issues but if they can’t find anything (unexplained) then I’d say try to be healthy and relax more.

[u/Alijanora]

I started at 36 and half. Now I am 38 and still trying, currently cycle 23. No advice unfortunately.

[u/NJ1986]

How long have you been trying? I would recommend getting the whole hormone panel from your OB just so you can rule out any weirdness. Otherwise, especially in the second half of your 30s, it might just take longer. It sounds like you're doing everything right and as long as you're confident you're ovulating, there may not be more you can do. It took me 2 months conceiving with my first at 33, and 11 months at 37.

[u/SpeechyKeen]

Chiming in because I also turn 37 (Friday!) and recently got a positive test. For me, I think just time and consistency with using the easy at home OPK’s and knowing that it might take a bit longer. It took us 18 months with my first and after my second MC, I did testing that found I have hypothyroidism. I also took progesterone with my son and am taking it again this time around, so hopefully it sticks. So maybe reaching out to your OB to check your bloodwork again is probably a good idea if you haven’t done so already.

Also I have to say that I love your user name! Cheesecake is my favorite and the only dessert I ever want on my birthday haha.

[u/SpeechyKeen → u/[deleted]]

Good luck my friend! 🤞🏻 ♥️

[u/ChesiaMother-11-11]

I just turned 39 and TTC our third for 14 months. I did a full blood panel with my OB and tested positive for blood clotting. I also met with a REI specialist and they recommended IVF but that is not an option.

I am taking a low dose daily aspirin, prenatal, and CoQ10 for egg quality. Definitely request the blood panel. That would be a good first place to start. Also check your progesterone levels after ovulation. My OB also did an ultrasound to check for ovulation and confirmed I am ovulating. That is another option you can request.

[u/MommaMandi398]

I’m currently 39.5 but I was TTC our 2nd at 36 and got a positive the day after I turned 37. It took us 7 months. We are now going into month 7 of TTC our 3rd and I just went to get bloodwork done with my OB. She was reassuring that becuase I got pregnant naturally at 34.5 and 36/37 that I should be able to again even at 39. She just said it can take more time. Keep your head up. It’s an exhausting journey but even despite your age the odds are in your favor!

[u/pinksunglasses85 → u/MommaMandi398]

My OB told me this exact same thing (I’m also 39!) it was def reassuring as I am hopeful to get pregnant naturally.

Meanwhile I am also pursuing IVF and my RE has emphasized that if we have success, it might be a “long and difficult road.”

[u/MommaMandi398 → u/pinksunglasses85]

It’s so funny how we get such mixed messaging at this age. I asked my OB if I was crazy for trying at this age and she told me 1) most of their OB patients are between 35-42 and 2) she always rather see a healthy 40 year old get pregnant than an unhealthy 30 year old. Fingers crossed we both get those two pink lines soon! ❤️

[u/Flat_Document8190]

A year or so ago, I went on a full on life detox journey, things like reducing plastics (particularly food storage/heating), avoiding BPA/BPS and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, switching to non-toxic cleaning and laundry products, fragrance-free/non-toxic personal care and beauty products, avoiding synthetic fragrances and candles/air fresheners, using safer cookware and food-storage materials, and being mindful of pesticides and other chemical exposures as well as only wearing natural fibres and using organic tampons / pads etc. This wasn’t for fertility prep but more of a personal choice due to another health issue.
I started taking a prenatal 6 months before we actively started TTC, my hubby didn’t take a prenatal but I made sure he got loads of what he needed through our diet / home cooked meals. We also both stopped consuming alcohol and ate an anti inflammatory diet and included fertility maxxing foods frequently like eggs, avocado, spinach, pumpkin seeds etc. I’m 36, started trying for baby #2 and conceived during our first cycle. I was expecting for it to take a minimum of a year to manage my expectations so was delighted by the outcome. I truly believe the detox is what helped with increasing our chances of conceiving so quickly! X