How long did it take you to conceive

[Anonymous]

We have been trying to conceive our first child for less than a year but I already feel so discouraged. I just turned 39. I'm wondering how long did it take for others to get pregnant and what age were you? Sometimes I just get really scared it will never happen for us.

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to your OB? I was told at 35 that they usually won't let you go more than about 6 months without following up if you have not conceived. I conceived on the first try at 35 and at 38, so I am not "normal."

[Anonymous]

Yes, they say that over age 35, try for 6 months and if you aren't pg yet, get thee to an RE. Don't waste time at your OB - go straight to an RE (reproductive endocrinologist).

[Anonymous]

I started trying when I was 28 and it took 2.5 years. At 39 I would go straight to an RE (although you'll probably need a referral from your OB first)

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. I've already consulted an RE but, unfortunately, I have high FSH so I am not a good candidate for IVF. The RE said my chances of success with IVF are lower than 10%. He suggested we try injectables with timed intercourse but we can't afford the meds and my insurance won't pay for it. So I am trying to stay as healthy as possible, I do acupuncture and yoga and I pray a lot.

[Anonymous]

19:39 here: We spend a better portion of our 2.5 years trying doing fertility treatments so here is my unsolicited 2 cents. If I were you I'd go get a second opinion. Even if your FSH is high (as it would be for someone who is 39), IVF would still give you better odds than injectibles and timed intercourse. Plus, un-monitored injectibles HIGHLY increases your chance of multiples. Think about it. In a plain old injectibles cycle with high FSH, you might generate 2-3 follicles. Timed intercourse you guys have sex and maybe one of them fertilizes and then implants (and hopefully not all 2-3). If you did one IVF you'd be doing the same (ok, similar) injections and might still only get 4-5 eggs, but they would then be fertilized and transferred.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP. I'm 39 with high FSH and my RE is letting me do IVF with a more than 10% chance of success. Of course, there are a number of factors they look at, but it may be worth another consult. Also, have you shopped around for meds? I think I paid $400 out-of-pocket, which may be a good amount if money is tight but it is definitely less than paying for the procedures. Some clinics may help you out if your income is below a certain level, too.

[Anonymous]

It took my husband and I over two years and lots of help (IVF) -and I was in my early 30s at the time.

I completely agree with PPs who have encouraged you to have a consult with a different RE. You didn't say which practice you went to, but Columbia Fertility (and particularly Dr. Sacks) often work with high FSH patients. You might consider Dr. Sacks for a second opinion. Best of luck to you -TTC can be a long, tough road for some of us. And just remember -it only takes one egg!

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant at 39 on the first try, and was 40 when my healthy, normal daughter was born. 7lbs. 3 oz. Only even had sex one time around ovulation, too. Things that probably helped: I read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", I took cough syrup to increase viscosity of cervical fluid, and charted on Fertility Friend.

Hope that doesn't come across as bragging or something similarly snotty - just thought it might be encouraging from one older hopeful would-be pregnant woman to another. I got pregnant around Valentine's Day too - so good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I didn't have too much trouble but I think I'm the exception.

#1 preg. -m/c after 1st month of trying at age 37

#2 preg. successful after 3 months of trying at age 38, had her at 38

#3 preg.successful after 3 months of trying got preg at age 39, had her at 40. They are now 8 mo. and 27 mo.

[Anonymous]

"Things that probably helped: I read "Taking Charge of Your Fertility", I took cough syrup to increase viscosity of cervical fluid, and charted on Fertility Friend." NOT

Thing that probably actually helped: you won the genentic lottery when it comes to conception and still had really good eggs.

[Anonymous]

I will definitely second the recommendation for Taking Charge of Your Fertility. I was 37 while TTC #1 for 7 months with no luck. After I started charting I realized I was not ovulating mid-cycle (when I was expecting I would), and that I only have about 2 days of fertile-quality cervical fluid, so I kept missing my window. Second month of charting, I got pregnant. At 39, I got pregnant with #2 on the second month of charting. There was obviously some luck here, and this book obviously will not work for everyone, but it is a great place to start to boost your odds tremendously and help you decide if you need further assistance, and can even help you pinpoint what type of assistance you might need (it showed me I had a slightly short luteal phase, so I added B6 supplements, for example). Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant the month we TTC at the age of 42, and had my son when I was 43. I had had several m/c before getting pregnant with my son and had just consulted with an RE, Dominion Fertility, when I became pregnant. I will tell you that I eat very healthy, am not overweight, have avoided meat for years and drink lots of water.

What was your FSH?

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant after 2 failed IVF's at the age of 42...with an FSH of 14.

[Anonymous]

Get a second opinion. And then a third. My understanding is hormones - which is what FSH is - vary, like we all remember from high school. See if you can take the test again. Know that your path is out there, it's just a struggle to find it.