TTC after 35

TTC #1 - Questions for Dr.

Hello ladies.  I am new to the board.  I turned 35 in November and have been TTC #1 since September.  Every month I have had a +OPK. I know its only ben 3 mos., so I'm not freaking out yet.  I have my annual gyn appointment this Friday, so I want to talk to her about TTC and any issues that I might face.  Are there any questions that you can recommend or tests that I should request now?  I am concerned about my progesterone levels because I spot for 3-5 days before AF starts so I am going to insist that she look into that.  If I am lucky enough to get a BFP, I don't want to M/C because of progesterone levels if I can help it.

TIA for any advice.

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Re: TTC #1 - Questions for Dr.

  • If you're concerned about progesterone, have your doc order a blood test at 7 days past ovulation. You'll need to chart your temperatures to know when you ovulated. Usually they order it at CD 21 but that's based on you ovulating on CD 14 and many women ovulate earlier or later.

    I think, though, that if you've been trying for only 2 months the doc might have you wait til 6 months to do the b/w. GL!

    Me: 44 DH: 42. DS born healthy at 40 weeks 8/24/09. TTC since then with no luck or ART. Surprise BFP 8/6/14... MMC @ 8 weeks 4 days... Miss you everyday sweet baby angel.
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  • I did not know that spotting before AF starts is a sign of a possible progesterone problem -- is that always the case?  It's certainly worth mentioning to your OB to get her feedback, though.

     

    I started TTC at 40 (long story - got married at 39, TTC after 6 months, etc) -- and my doctor wanted me to chart my cycles and TTC for 6 months before they would consider testing and possible infertility treatments.  Fortunately, I had already been charting for 6 months when I first saw the doctor who was ready to order a complete workup of tests.

     

    I think if you have just started TTC, your doctor is not going to want to start any testing yet.  You may just want to ask what the normal protocol of testing is so that you are aware of it ahead of time, and are ready if/when the time comes.

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  • imageNewMrs07:

    I think, though, that if you've been trying for only 2 months the doc might have you wait til 6 months to do the b/w. GL!

     

    Ditto. I know you're anxious, but I don't think you can insist on any tests till you've been trying for 6 months. When I went in for my annual last year(when was still 34) I asked if I could have my fertility checked and she told me to come back after I'd been trying for a year. 

  • after reading the pp's, I guess it totally depends on your doc.  Mine wanted me to chart my temps for 3 months and then take a look and make a plan.  (so I DID NOT have to wait for a year or even 6 months to take some action).  I would start charting my temps ASAP.

     

    (I'm 35)

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  • How do the docs know how long you've been trying unless you tell them? Do they make you show proof of charting? I'm going in February if I haven't gotten a BFP by then. I'll have been off BCP for 6 months by then even if we will have only been actively trying for 4 months. If I have a problem with something like diminished ov reserve, I want to know sooner rather than later.

     

    I'm not trying to be snarky. I really want to know - do they just go on your word that you've been trying for 6 months?

  • Just an fyi-my spotting before my period was due to a uterine polyp. Before we started treatment I had a hysteroscopy to remove it and the spotting stopped. So no I do not think a progesterone defeceit is always the case w. that....
  • Thanks everyone.  I too was wondering if I could tell them that I've been trying for longer than I have. I tried charting and I just can't do it.  My sleep is never uninterrupted for more than 3 hours. I also want to know what my ovarian reserve is like.  I don't want to do extensive testing at this point, just some basic bloodwork to see if anything jumps out. My doc has been asking me about having children since I was 29. She had children late so at least she understands.
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  • I would ask her about doing b/w and an SA. She may state that you need to wait until 6 months to a year. I think it depends how much you want to end this journey, I waited 9 months and now I am on 20 months! good luck
  • I would at least give it a 6 month college try......
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  • I'll talk to her about my concerns and see what she says.  I wouldn't be doing anything this soon except for the fact that its my annual exam.  I figure if I'm there, I might as well take advantage of the time. Maybe it willl save me a visit in the future.  I'll let you know what happens after the appointment!

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  • Just adding my two cents - the OPKs are not very reliable in my opinion, so you might not have been timing it right if you are just using those. I charted and used the CBEFM, and got pregnant the first month using it. Charting helped for the exact date, the monitor helped to time things right before (as charting shows it too late). Turns out that I O'd at CD18 rather than CD14 although I had 28 day cycles. We were going to do blood work and an SA in January (had only been trying for 3 months) but it wasn't necessary.

    Good luck!

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  • lebraly, you can tell the doc whatever you want. Of course they won't know for sure how long you've been trying but I would try at least 6 months before getting all nervous and starting the IF blood tests, etc. It's a little depressing to get tested for all that, especially the HSG (which was painful for me) so I wouldn't jump right into it if I wasn't trying for that long. GL!
    Me: 44 DH: 42. DS born healthy at 40 weeks 8/24/09. TTC since then with no luck or ART. Surprise BFP 8/6/14... MMC @ 8 weeks 4 days... Miss you everyday sweet baby angel.
  • When I was TTC #1 my Dr was encouraging I wait longer.  I decided to visit an RE myself.  That is their speciality and hey understand the time is an issue thing.  If you have good insurance and dont need a referral, you can always get tests through an RE is your Dr wants you to wait. 

    I, however, got pg on my own after a consultation with the RE so never had any tests or treatment through him (other than an u/s that confirmed I had active ovaries).  Doesnt it always work like that?

     

    Michele

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  • So, I had my appointment this morning.  She told me to make an appointment for bloodwork if I am unsuccessful after 6 months. She said having positive OPK's is a good sign and that I have to be patient given my age.

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