33 years old and want to start TTC in 1.5-2 years --- what should I be doing now?

[Anonymous]

Ask your OB/Gyn to do an antral follicle count and check your ovaries for endometriosis. When we started TTC (in my thirties) I had never had an ultrasound. After 6 months of no success I went to the doctor. Within the first 15 minutes of the appointment I found out I had endometriosis (at least stage III) and the follicle count of a woman 10 years older.

Had I had any inkling of this, we would have started trying much, much earlier. Now we are using donor eggs.

[Anonymous]

Don't wait. Get off the pill now. Decide how important it is for you to be a parent. If it is a fundamental life goal, decide how far you are willing to go if you are like many of us and need help and how much you can afford to spend - IUI, IVF, Egg doner, sperm doner, serogate, adoption, etc.. Decide if you want one or more than one child. It its more than one, don't wait. Your chances of getting pregenant now are better than they will be in a few years.

[Anonymous]

OP--with the risk of sounding pushy, I would say to make sure you get tested just to make sure everything looks ok. Even if you're not trying yet, it's very good to know whether you are likely to encounter problems. Some women have ovarian reserve issues at 30, so it's not too early to check this stuff out.

Also--I would highly advise you not to wait too long. Perhaps now isn't a good time for you to start, but don't hold off 2 more years to START trying, especially if you want a good shot at having more than one child since you never know how long it will take to actually get/stay pregnant.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have an upcoming gyn appointment and am going to ask for some specific tests. I have Kaiser HMO so am not sure what they will do, if anything.

This is a tough situation, as neither of us are well off financially and are embarking on new careers. We were hoping to be more established before having kids, but unfortunately, there is a time line.

I am not on the pill and have not been for years. I was considering going on it until 6 months before we were ready to start trying, but it sounds like we should continue using condoms etc.

To all the PPs who said to start trying now - I would if the decision was solely mine to make!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have an upcoming gyn appointment and am going to ask for some specific tests. I have Kaiser HMO so am not sure what they will do, if anything.

This is a tough situation, as neither of us are well off financially and are embarking on new careers. We were hoping to be more established before having kids, but unfortunately, there is a time line.

I am not on the pill and have not been for years. I was considering going on it until 6 months before we were ready to start trying, but it sounds like we should continue using condoms etc.

To all the PPs who said to start trying now - I would if the decision was solely mine to make!

Well...everyone will start yelling and screaming about this, but it is is completely in your control. Anyway, discuss it with your SO, and let him know after your exam that you're concerned about how long it may take you to get pregnant. It might take a month, it might take 2 yrs....or longer. it's a gamble.

That's the decision we faced, and at the end of the day, decided to go for it. And got pregnant in 2 months. Other friends have taken 10+months, which puts you closer to your target date. You just never know.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I was just looking over results for some blood work I had done 1.5 years ago.

Following are pertinent results:

FSH: 2.7
LH: 5.0
TSH: 1.68
Prolactin: 21.92
DHEA-S: 265

I know most of that is irrelevant as we don't know what part of my cycle I was in at that point, but just thought I'd throw it out there.

I can't wait to get my books in the mail, and can't wait for my GYN appointment next week. It's the unknown that's making this difficult for me right now.

Thanks again to everyone who has replied so far.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Kaiser said they won't do any sort of testing or looking into things until I have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for a full year. The thing is, my decision on when to start TTC depends on the test results.

Do most people have to go out of pocket for the beginning testing expenses?

[Anonymous]

Well...as one who waited...I wish I hadn't.

I understand the desire to wait until your married...but I wouldn't wait any longer AFTER you are married.

I can't express the heartache, depression, anxiety...the whole nine yards...I went through for 5 years, thinking I wasn't going to be able to have kids because I waited too long.

I was VERY lucky...IVF ended up working for us when I was 42 years old (I started trying at 37). But that was PURE miracle.

If you aren't well off, I would guarantee that the 'old fashioned' way of getting knocked up, is the best approach for you...and that 'old fashioned' approach works SO much better when you are under 35 years of age.

If you aren't well off now, you aren't going to be any more 'well off' in two years...despite a potentially more 'stable' income...and IVF can break the bank...If I had a choice, I would have done it the 'free' way.

[Anonymous]

I didn't start TTC until I was 35, and I lucked out -- conceived on the third cycle and am now pregnant. I'm glad I waited until I felt my husband and I were ready (or as ready as we were going to be). I was okay with waiting and potentially not conceiving because my husband and I feel comfortable with adoption, and I knew that there would be a way for me to be a mom even if I waited until I was older. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it happened. I definitely recommend reading "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" and beginning to track at least six months before you want to start TTC, because it's a little tricky, and by tracking your waking temps and cervical mucus, you get a good idea of whether you are ovulating, which of course is a key to getting pregnant. Whenever you decide to TTC, best of luck to you!

[Anonymous]

I'd suggest getting tested to see if you are immune to rubella, b/c if not, you should get the vaccine before getting pregnant. From what I've read, you have to wait at least a month to TTC after getting vaccinated, so the earlier you get it out of the way the better.

Also, might as well take a prenatal instead of a regular multivitamin (pretty similar but the prenatal will probably have more folic acid).

Good luck!

(And on the lighter side, go out to dinner at lots of kid-unfriendly restaurants and take vacations that require long flights!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Kaiser said they won't do any sort of testing or looking into things until I have been unsuccessfully trying to conceive for a full year. The thing is, my decision on when to start TTC depends on the test results.

Do most people have to go out of pocket for the beginning testing expenses?

I hate to say it but lie, lie, lie. Kaiser has no idea how long you've been trying. Tell them it's been a year and get the tests done now.

[Anonymous]

Cleanse your body!!!

Yeast/fungus cleanse, parasite cleanse, bacterial cleanse (with natural antibacterials), perhaps a few months of taking Alpha Lipoic Acid for the chelating effects.

Organic EVERYTHING.

Eliminate sugars, starches, and artificials sweetners from your diet.

If you are overweight, try the HCG diet. It will cleanse your system of sugar dependency as well as regulate your period...which in turn could yield a natural pregnancy for you.

That's all I got to say really, except that if you really want pure health, find a homeopathic doctor to help you will all of this.

Good luck, OP!!