Conceiving #3 whille BFing at 38.5

[Anonymous]

I just got my first post-pregnancy period (DD is 13 months) and we are eager to get moving to conceive #3. I haven't done this while BFing before. I'm 38.5 now. I conceived DS in two cycles at 33. Almost two years later, we conceived DD after 8 cycles. I was 36. We're down to BFing twice a day and I'm trying to cut that out; DD has very different ideas, so I'm ok to keep going now that my cycle has returned. I should probably pull out the thermometer and start charting again.

Will the BFing impact my cycle length at all? (DS weaned after one or two cycles and man, were we avoiding then...)

For other moms in their late 30s, how long did it take you to conceive a 2nd/3rd/4th? I'm really hoping we conceive quickly, but I should probably prepare myself for another 8+ months.

Thanks for any insights you have!

[Anonymous]

I conceived while nursing at 42 the 2nd cycle. I've been told that when your cycle returns after a long period of time (like 12 months) that you are typically fertile then. There are no guarantees, but be optimistic Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I started TTC #2 at 38.5, and haven't been able to get pregnant after 20 cycles (and many fertility treatments). It took me 10 cycles to conceive DC#1 when I was 35/36- 6 months, then a miscarriage, and then 4 more months. I wish you luck

[Anonymous]

My period returned after only 5.5 months, and there were a few (2-3?) wacky long cycles (34-40 days) before things settled back into a regular pattern. Though oddly enough I settled back at 31 days v. the regular 28 days before kids.

As for getting pregnant again - I'm younger (early 30s) but got pregnant easily 2x while nursing (first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage and am now at 16+ weeks.) However, I was charting and using OPKs from the get go - I don't think I'm mentally capable of the just winging it style of TTC.

[Anonymous]

I conceived #2 while BF #1 at age 38. We are currently trying for #3 here is my experiences.

My period returned at around 9 months after DC #1. At that point in time I had cut out the night feedings but was either nursing or pumping throughout the day. I charted temp and CM and my cycles were initially pretty long (44, 40, 38 days). We conceived after that 3rd cycle and it really was charting that helped identify when I was going to ovulate. I used software to help me identify my shifts.

I continued to nurse DC #1 until I was about 5 months pregnant. I think that there was nothing there and so he just gave up.

I am now 40. DC #2 is 20 months and nurses 2 times a day. My period did not return until about 12 months and my cycles have really been all over the place. Part of the reason why my cycles have been all over the place (IMO) is that 1 month my daughter was teething and was up a lot at night. I think that adding back the night feeding messed up with my hormones a bunch. We have now been trying for 5 cycles. I am also trying to wean my DD but she has very different opinions about that. I find it a lot harder to take my temp each morning when there are 2 kids getting up each morning. I am planning on purchasing a themometer that has a really quick read as my current one I feel takes about a minute to register (put this on the list with everything else to do). It is so hard to lay in bed when my husband is in the shower and I hear the kids calling for me.

Anyway - from my experience it is possible - but my recommendations are to start charting and also to try and have a lot of fun - because when your cycles are all over the place - BD every other day can become more of a chore than the fun it once was.

[Anonymous]

Conceived #1 at age 29, first cycle trying.

Conceived #2 at age 30, still BF'ing and NOT TTC (just ONE night of throwing caution to the wind )

Conceived #3 at age 34, 2nd cycle trying.

Now age 39, have been trying for #4 for 10 months (started at age 38.5) and now seeing an RE.

In my opinion, there is a huge difference between 37-38ish and 39-40ish when it comes to TTC. I think I would have been able to get pregnant fairly easily at 37, but Dh insisted on waiting longer and now here I am. And at this age, each month that passes can make you feel time is slipping away (at least it does for me; it gets more stressful by the month, and my 40th birthday is looming and I'm dreading it).

If I were you, I would start ASAP, even if that means completely weaning DD to get your cycles fully back to normal.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences. PP, i know what you mean about that looming 40th birthday! I know that if I get to 40 and I'm not pregnant yet, we will likely just stick with two. Wonderful, I know, but not having that third would make me sad.

I think I'll give DD another month in the weaning department. The one that I do like about nursing is that I get very senstive when I ovulate. It feels like DD has sandpaper in her mouth when she eats, buts at least I know when to pull out the OPKs. Giving her another month will basically get us to the point where they'd be 2 years apart if it happened immediately. (Fine with closer spacing, but much more comfy with 2 years!)

Has anyone tried herbal supplements? I looked into soy and royal jelly just when we concevied #2 and never needed it, so I might have to redo that research.