TTC#1 @ 40

Question

I have been TTC for 5 months and now I am starting to worry. I have read that after the age of 35 you should not wait beyond 6 mos to see a fertility specialist. Looking for advice. Should we we seek help or just keep trying? My only concern is that fertility treatmants are so costly so costly. What do you think?

adgal · Answer

Multivitamins just don't have any impact on fertility or ability to conceive.  They are important for proper fetal development, and most Dr's recommend being on a prenatal 3 months prior to conception.  And they will recommend a prenatal containing folic acid.  I'm very happy for you that you conceived, and do wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy, but I can pretty much assure you the geritol did not play a part in conception.

All the best to you!

kendra40 · Answer

Geritol is just  a multivitamin. I can't see that it would do any more than a prenatal vitamin. Were you taking a prenatal when you were TTC?

ladyjay223 · Answer

Hi I am 37 have been with my husband for 10+ YEARS no BC Yet no pregnancy. While at school the topic came up n a lady told me she had 3 kids by taking the vitamin Geritol. Well I have not tried many things just left well enough alone n believe that when it was my turn it would be but after hearing this I gave the Geritol a try only $3 at WalMart. Well what you know after my second bottle I got the surprise of my life. I could be wrong maybe it was just my time but for some reason I want to believe that the Geritol worked. I am estimating that I am 6 weeks but because I am PCOS I have not had a cycle so it is hard to caculate. Good luck to you!

jjenkins112 · Answer

The monitor takes the guesswork out of everything, so I prefer the monitor. DH and I would BD every other day as soon as the monitor gave me a high fertility reading, and continue to BD through the peak reading until the monitor went back down to a low fertility reading. I had no success with the OPK strips.

adgal · Answer

I don't know if one is necessarily better then the other, it's just personal preference.  For example, I will only use the ClearBlue Digital Ovulation Predictor Kit.  It's worked for me, I'm comfortable with it so that is what I do.  The one thing I will say about any of the strips in general...I find it very difficult interpreting the results.  Trying to determine which line is actually darker drove me banana's.  Many of us have a "fade in" pattern meaning the results line get's gradually darker.  When it's close, but not necessarily as dark I found myself getting frustrated trying to intrepret.  So personally, my suggestion would be to either go with the monitor, or the digital tests.  I think they are probably the easiest to use.

Good luck to you.

kendra40 · Answer

I bought the clear blue fertility strips today. Now I'm wondering if I should have gotten the fertility monitor instead. Is the monitor better? I'm at cd 5.

jjenkins112 · Answer

My DH (age 45) and I had been TTC#1 from the time I was 37 (I am now 39). I became pregnant within 6 months of trying at age 37, but miscarried that pregnancy as well as 2 others by the time I was 39. My regular ob-gyn was able to perform all of the tests mentioned by Azwoman, as well as chromosomal tests for both me and DH. We did not see a fertility specialist until after the 3rd m/c, at which point I had some additional testing, DH had his sperm count tested through an affiliate lab. We tried fertility drugs and IUI (all failed), so we gave up on that and I started weekly acupuncture. After 6 months of acupuncture and a few healthy lifestyle changes, I became pregnant. I am now 17 weeks along and will be 40 years old next month. I'm telling you this to let you know there is hope for us! I do agree with tracking your ovulation with the ClearBlue Easy Fertility Monitor. I also tracked my BBT. Knowing exactly when you ovulate is critical to success for sure! I wish you all the luck in the world!

kendra40 · Answer

I used an ovulation kit last month. I can't remember the brand, but I will try Clear Blue.

Thanks : )

Ecologic · Answer

I would also recommend you start investing in some ovulation kit. Or an ovulation monitor (the Clear Blue one is very good). Make an appointment to see a fertility doctor to have a few tests done on you and your partner, there is generally a long wait to see these doctors.

AJPmommy · Answer

I wish you the best of luck.

TxMamma · Answer

Not all treatments are expensive.  I had to use medication for both my pregnancies but didn't need IUI or IVF.  My biggest suggestion is to use a digital ovulation kit. My fertility doc said to use Clear Blue brand. Walmart has the multipak the cheapest.  Clear Blue will only give a positive if u have a true LH surge.  Good luck in your journey!

kendra40 · Answer

Thank you for the info and the encouragement. I will start with my GYN and see what she says.
 : )

adgal · Answer

I have nothing to add to the excellent info Az already gave you.  I did want to welcome you and wish you lots of luck.  And know that it can happen.  There are lots of us (myself included) having children in our 40's.  It can take us longer, and Az is right, talking to your Dr. now is a good idea.  But if this is something you really want, there are many ways to assist in making it happen (if that is even necessary).  All the best to you!

Azwoman · Answer

Well you can get some basic bloodwork done at your gyn's office and start there. Tell your gyn you're having trouble conceiving. On Day 3 of your period, you need to get your FSH, progesterone, and estroidal tested. Your gyn should be able to give you some insight as to what is going on. You should also get an HSG test to see if your tubes are open. Hubby needs to be checked too and you will need to see a urologist or fertility doctor for that. If you need to be referred to a specialist, check your insurance and see if they will atleast lay for you to get a consultation. 
Your labs should be covered under your insurance-mine are. They dont know the difference. I have no fertility coverage and it is tough paying for this, I admit it but if you want something bad enough, you do whatever and I am single. You may just need some meds, it is too early to tell but if you are 40, I would not wait to see a specialist. There are lots of women who have fallen pregnant naturally on this board, but it goes get a little tougher when youre older. Good luck and sending lots of baby dust your way!