browneyed-babe

Hi Nicky,

Nice to see I am not the only over 35 old trying for their first!
I am 37 also. We started Sept/06 (I was 36) for our first - I got pregnant in Jan/07 and subsequently miscarried in March/07. It was very traumatic for both dh and I so we decided to wait to try again. We have not been trying since the m/c but I am planning to start next month. We are in the middle of renovations and have too much going on at the moment but I have quit drinking altogether and still take my vitamins and preparing for the next.

Here is what I did the month I got pregnant and timed everything:
* Both dh and I started taking multi vitamins the month before although I had been taking folic acid for several months
* DH quit smoking and was on the patch, stopped taking hot baths - limited his baths to 20 minutes.
*I used ovulation sticks and bd 3 days before, the day before and the morning of ovulation.
* Each time we bd - afterwards I put my feet up in the air or pillow under my hips - sounds weird but it helps
*Drank some green tea before ovulation
Believe it or not we only bd those 3 times that month.
The doctors said that even though I miscarried the chances of a successful pregnancy next time were around 90% for me as I had a blighted ovum which is a random unpreventable thing.
My dh is also in his 40's - he is 43. We feel we are secure enough and obviously ready at this stage in our lives. Yes we know we should have done it maybe 5 years ago but we can't turn back the clock. Our success rate was in the 20 year range. So, don't believe in all that statistical crap that books say as it is not your age but your health and fertility which varies from person to person no matter how old you are. My dh' mom had he and his twin at 40 and she only had 1 ovary and was told she couldn't conceive any more children (already had 4). My aunt had twins at 38 and my mom had me (her 5th) at 36 yrs old.
As for early signs - yes you can feel symptoms within a week of ovulation. Sounds weird but I knew within the first week as my chart temps stayed high and level, had more cm, and was thirsty, I also had an acute sense of smell and taste. I did not have nausea or sore bb at all until much later in the pregnancy. I say if it is unusual for you then it could be a sign.
Take care and good luck. Maybe we will be on the pregnancy boards together.

Michelle