Do you think it's healthy to TTC without getting AF for 17 Months?

[Heda]

Hello

My DD is still feeding heavily overnight - so I've not had AF for nearly 17 months after her birth (and well technically - with both my births - since Jan 2008 I've only had 2 x AF cycles).

I'm wondering - if my goal is for optimal egg health - do you think that it's healthy / not healthy to fall pregnant without getting AF for so long?

I'm not actively trying - but I'm pretty sure that I'm ovulating (but just not having an AF - so I could fall pregnant and would be ok with this age gap - but I'm not actively preventing it either.

I'm just so scared of chromosomal issues - as we lost our DD1 to Turner's Syndrome -so that's why I want really great healthy eggies...Am I thinking too much? Is it quite natural and have you had any issues if any have been in the same situation?

Would love to hear some experiences / thoughts.

Thanks

[CharlieBrownGirl]

A girl at work was waiting to arrive before TTC'ing number 2, surprisingly she is 13weeks and only found out at 12 weeks.

In terms of optimal health, I'm unsure about that one. Studying demography one lecturer told us that females should be having more children and less AF cycles, the female body was built that way and there are studies which suggest it reduces illnesses in women.

My sister has TS and before joining BB never came across anyone else who knew about it. You don't hear of it too often. I'm sorry for your loss and wishing you all the best in your TTC journey.

On a side note, my mum had a mc, me, mc and my sister. On reflection it would have been due to TS factors.

[Heda]

Thanks CBG. Yes TS while happens unknowingly so frequently, I've not met or heard of anyone else who has experienced this. That's an interesting statement by the lecturer - I might try and find more info on that Thanks!

Even without getting an AF I can still live as if I'm TTC - so gotta cut down on that sugar! nooooooo!!!!

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Sure is hard giving up our vices, mine is mango green tea (30grams of sugar )

TS unfortunately has limited my Sister's ability to have children as she doesn't have any eggs and from all the medication she only has one kidney left and her liver isn't working to it's optimum. So even if I donate an egg to her, carrying a baby could be rather difficult and life threatening for herself and the baby

[CharlieBrownGirl]

Oh PS there is another BB lady who has lost a child due to TS I can't recall who it is tho. Innana (sp?) perhaps??

[Junglemum]

Clearly i am no expert, but given that you are born with all your egg cells in your ovaries, i wouldn't think that waiting would make much difference. I had no Af between DD1 and DD2 and two before i conceived this time. So it's been almost 4 years without AF and i'm not at all concerned about the health of my eggs. I think if you have are eating well and looking after yourself, then your eggs will be what they will be. I don't think that the length of time you wait guarantees a better egg.

Sorry for your loss, i can understand why you are so concerned. Did you have genetic counseling after losing your daughter? Maybe they would be able to answer your question more definitely. Best of luck TTC.

[Heda]

Clearly i am no expert, but given that you are born with all your egg cells in your ovaries, i wouldn't think that waiting would make much difference. I had no Af between DD1 and DD2 and two before i conceived this time. So it's been almost 4 years without AF and i'm not at all concerned about the health of my eggs. I think if you have are eating well and looking after yourself, then your eggs will be what they will be. I don't think that the length of time you wait guarantees a better egg.

Sorry for your loss, i can understand why you are so concerned. Did you have genetic counseling after losing your daughter? Maybe they would be able to answer your question more definitely. Best of luck TTC.

Yes - I forgot that point about being born with all our eggs! I really should just be living life right now as if I was going to TTC at the moment so that there is a good flow on affect ove the next few months.

I wonder though - do you get a uterine lining all this time - and is it then 'old' lining if it hasn't been shed in so long - I think I'm going to have to look that up.

Junglemum - I actually didn't get GC - it was just 'one of those things' they said and the chances of it happening again were quite low - so we didn't go down that path. I don't think it will happen again - but I don't know if I could emotionally handle anything going wrong again so I am so super parinoid (among other things) about this..

Thanks for the replies every one

[Heda]

Sure is hard giving up our vices, mine is mango green tea (30grams of sugar )

TS unfortunately has limited my Sister's ability to have children as she doesn't have any eggs and from all the medication she only has one kidney left and her liver isn't working to it's optimum. So even if I donate an egg to her, carrying a baby could be rather difficult and life threatening for herself and the baby

Yes, sadly TS affects their ability to have children of their own - I am sorry to hear that your sister isn't doing too well in other aspects

[LionsandBears]

I'm no expert but I remember once reading an article by a doctor who'd been working in Africa/Middle East. She mentioned talking to women there about menstruation who didn't know what it was. Due to the age they were married, many of them had gone through years of pregnancies and breast feeding without ever having one AF (Really sad to think how young they must have started )

I've read in a Francesca Naish book that optimum spacing is about 2 years between conceptions. That has to do with ensuring your body has built up all the nutrients for the next bub without depleting mum too much. Like all theories, everyone should evaluate their own situation. We sure won't be waiting that long (hopefully).

If you're really unsure, you could get blood tests on hormone levels, but if you just give things a go and see what happens, there may be no problems at all. I do understand the fear of having something wrong when you've already lost one baby to a disorder(our son died from a genetic problem). My understanding is TS is a one-off, so it shouldn't happen again.

GL

[Heda]

I'm no expert but I remember once reading an article by a doctor who'd been working in Africa/Middle East. She mentioned talking to women there about menstruation who didn't know what it was. Due to the age they were married, many of them had gone through years of pregnancies and breast feeding without ever having one AF (Really sad to think how young they must have started )

I've read in a Francesca Naish book that optimum spacing is about 2 years between conceptions. That has to do with ensuring your body has built up all the nutrients for the next bub without depleting mum too much. Like all theories, everyone should evaluate their own situation. We sure won't be waiting that long (hopefully).

If you're really unsure, you could get blood tests on hormone levels, but if you just give things a go and see what happens, there may be no problems at all. I do understand the fear of having something wrong when you've already lost one baby to a disorder(our son died from a genetic problem). My understanding is TS is a one-off, so it shouldn't happen again.

GL

Tashybabe - so sorry to hear about your little ones Sometimes, the fear just overwealms me, othertimes I can manage it and I remind myself that TS is just a 'one off'..I read your birth story...I want to cry..your so brave. One of these..I'm going to post mine too..I wish you all the best for the future xxxx

Oh - and I like the idea of 2 years between conceptions - If I can make it to the end of the year (18 months - I'll be happy !