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Hi,
Has anyone ever been or does anyone know anyone that's ever been pregnant over 40 IVF or otherwise with their own eggs?
After 4 failed IVF/ICSI and six healthy eggs am I fooling myself to want to go on at 44?
I would go another six rounds but am I dreaming? I need storys here of people pg well into their 40's.
Thanks in advance I will be back tonight
futuremum who maybe should change her name....
Just wanted to say Big Hugs. I'm sure there are plenty of women out there who have sucessfully had babies into their 40's.
My Mum had her last at 40. 10 yrs after the 3rd. She would have gone again but i fell pregnant and she didnt want to be a pregnant grandma...
Sorry i couldnt be much help but just wanted to give you some support and a big :hug:
futuremum - big hugs - don't give up.
My mum tried to fall pregnant for 16 years before I was born and then when she was 46 - yes you read right 46 she fell pregnant with my brother 10 years after I was born and both she and my dad were told they would never be parents.
Miracles happen (although I'm not sure she remembers that with a 16 yo ...lol)
Don't give up honey - I loved having older parents - they had to much more time for us :)
My Nana had my father naturally at 44 years old, this was back in the 1930s.... anything is possible!
all the best!!!
A friend of my mum's had a baby at 46 and I know of someone in the last few months who had her first baby, and she turned 45 during her last trimester.
So keep you spirits up, anything is possible!:)
I gave birth for the first time one month after my 42nd birthday. This was 14 years after I'd first decided I wanted to have a child.
The baby was conceived naturally without any medical intervention at any stage. I was drinking loads of coffee when I conceived and was highly stressed, taking no vitamins but all turned out well. I had been told that my only hope of a successful pregnancy at my age was to go on IVF. They were wrong.
The pregnancy was a really easy one - no morning sickness at all - I glowed throughout the pregnancy and looked better than I had in years. The birth was a bit on the hard side but I don't think that had anything to do with my age.
If you do succeed don't listen to any OB's who scare you with all the risks of giving birth over 40. I was told I'd probably have to stop work at 20 weeks and most likely be flat on my back for the rest of the pregnancy. I was told I'd be at high risk of giving birth prematurely. I was also told I'd have BP problems due to my age. All this from a female OB, you'd think she'd know better. Obviously I had to get a new OB and the new one thought my risks were no greater than anyone else as I had no health issues. I worked full time up to 37 weeks at a desk job and didn't ever get high BP. I gave birth vaginally 1 week and 4 days before my due date. I was fully recovered physically 3 weeks after the birth.
We did have a DS scare when the risk came in at 1/37 but the amnio showed no abnormalities and bubs was born "normal". You can expect to end up having more scans than normal, I had 8 in total, but many younger women have to have extra scans too.
I wish you the best of luck for the future.
A friend of mine told me over the weekend that she's pregnant. She's nearly 41. They started TTC late last year I think, she had a m/c at about 5w early this year, and now she's nearly 7w. It all happened without any fertility assistance.
Good luck!
I was exactly 39&half when I fell pregnant with my daughter (my 1st born) ... she was concieved naturally with the help of a herbal formula !!
She was born naturally & drug-free 4mths past my 40th birthday ... I will be 43 next Jan & we have so far been trying for another bub for 1year again with the help with the same herbal formula which I've been taking (I think) since Feb this year !!
With my daughter I was told I would not concieve without the help of IVF & yet I had her naturally.
This January I was told by a IVF specialist that I have a slim chance of even falling pregnant on IVF ... their reason purely because of my age & no other reason.
I guess because we also hear of stories of women having babies at 50 we keep trying. I too wonder at what age do I decide that I have tried & it's time to try no more :rolleyes:
I honestly don't know whether I could go past 45 or 46 ... purely because I know I myself am not the fittest person & with my daughter I never realised how much physical energy they took to look after.
I wish you heartfelt wishes in whatever you chose to do from here on :hug:
Well now that I am successfully bawling my eyes out thankyou so much everyone.
We have an app. with my FS tomorrow I will tell him we want to go on another six rounds if that's what it takes. My husband wants this too.
I really appreciate all your replies and will read them over & over.
Our old neighbour had twins at 45 completely naturally.
I just wanted to wish you all the best.
It's certainly still possible....I just had a client who fell pregnant accidentally at 44. Had a smooth, problem free pregnancy and natural birth.
Oh yeah and my nanna was also 44 when she had my father.
Futuremum,
Has my DD at 41 10 months. No donor egg. Was IVF as I'm single. No issue with preg. Had Csection but this not related to my age. Was healthy all through preg although I have dreadful morning sickness. Good luck.
So glad that you started this thread, as a newbie to this site and also someone who is over 40 and TTC, it is so encouraging to hear all of these success stories for ladies over 40
I forgot to mention my ex-boss thought she was going through menopause at 43, turned out she was 11 weeks pregnant!
I wish you akll the best with your next round/s.
I'm so happy I stumbled onto this thread...I look forward to reading more success stories
Nicole Kidman! Plus a host of other celebs.
At the national homebirth conference this year, I was inspired by a midwife who had her last babe at 45 and was still breastfeeding at 48. I can testify to the fact that getting majorly clucky is indeed an occupational hazard of being a birthworker. I will be 41 when our #4 babe arrives next April. We had a vasectomy reversal last November, took us about 6 months to achieve a pregnancy naturally.
The only think I'd say about being pregnant at this age is, it's all about your youth, not your age! So, doing all the stuff that keeps you fit young and healthy, with regards to 'move it or lose it' and super-healthy diet. I really need eject myself from the couch, car and computer and move mah laygs. Daily!
do we really know that these celebs are using their own eggs?:
Also, re: super healthy diet - any particular things you don't eat (or do) other than the usual (no coffee, no wine/alcohol, etc.)?
The Natural Way to Better Babies - preconception health care for prospective parents, by Naish & Roberts, was helpful to me. It has a good chapter on getting rid of Candida, dealing with allergies, as well as nutrition.
For me, the basic thing is increasing the percentage of fresh & raw fruit & veg. Juicing daily is a goodie - e.g. carrot, celery, beetroot.
Raw nuts and seeds are packed with nutrition.
Decrease sugar and processed carbs - insulin is the "mistress of the hormones" and paralysing your hormonal production mechanisms with sugar over-dose probably won't help you maximise your fertility hormones! (That's why I suggest reducing sugar for women in late pregnancy.)
Supplements - I found Fish Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Spirulina and Kakadu Juice helpful for general nutrition. I also got onto Blackmore Pre-conception gold tablets. Some people think it's better to get your nutrition from natural organic sources than supplements; other people think our food generally is lower in nutritious content now and supplements are necessary. A trip to a good naturopath is a fine idea.
Herbs - I used red clover, cohosh, wild yam, red raspberry, nettle and chastetree. But only during the first half of my cycle - don't use these if there's any possibility you could be pregnant. Normally you do not attempt to get pregnant during the months you are nurturing your body with such herbs. See a herbal practitioner about the correct usage of such herbs.
Kick caffeine (hard step for me) which reduces your fertility by half (and mucks up your body's ability to absorb some vitamins.)
Increase water.
Avoid high mercury fish like tuna (trout and sardines are OK).
Reduce acid-forming foods like: meat, fish, eggs, animal products, sugar, tea, coffee, plums, prunes, cranberries, grains and seeds.
Increase alkali-forming foods: nuts - almonds & hazelnuts, fruit, cherries, veges & vege juice, alfalfa and red clover sprouts, cider vinegar.
To increase fertile mucous: calcium, (raw beetroot is a wonderful natural rich source of calcium), magnesium, zinc, potassium.
To boost oestrogen pre-ovulation:
Vitamin E, Zinc, Vit C, (these three are essential for all hormone regulation and production); Dong Quai, False Unicorn Root, Wild Yam, Liquorice (the herbal root not the candy); Black Cohosh, Red Clover, Alfalfa, Soy beans and sprouts, tofu, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, aniseed, parsley, sage, fennel and cucumber.
We used massive handfuls of parsley in salads and added same to vege juice.
To boost progesterone post-ovulation:
Wild Yam
Blue Cohosh
Fenugreek
Sarsaparilla
Vitamin B6 as a B Complex
Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for the production of prostaglandins which are necessary for the production of all hormones (that's why some women increase Evening Primrose Oil, Spirulina and Fish Oil in late pregnancy). So the way to get your hormone factory functioning at peak production:
- reduce animal fats, dairy and fried foods
- Evening Primrose Oil
- Olive Oil
- Borage
- Blackcurrant Seeds
- Fish Oil
- Avocado
Are you completely confused yet. After all that, you can see why reducing junk food and too much animal products and focussing on whole food raw food fruit & veg plus quality nuts, seeds and wholegrains is the go!
The other thing that stood out to me is that exercise in fresh air and sunlight is more than just about fitness and feeling good generally - it enhances hormone production.
Another excellent resource is a FREE DVD called The Dance of the Hormones by naturopath and mother of 8, Barbara O'Neill. You can obtain your copy by visiting her website, Health Retreat - Misty Mountain Wilderness Health Retreat and click on Contact Us. They'll post the DVD to you free. It is a video of a lecture by Barbara in which she explains the many factors that undermine our hormonal health, and the results of that - such as depression, stubborn weight, fertility issues, and cancer. She then goes through practical ways we can optimise our hormonal health and thus our health generally - e.g. - ditch the plastics, add fruit & veg, more fresh air, sunlight and exercise, more water, eliminate other toxins, don't use the Pill or HRT, avoid meat, poultry & eggs that contain hormones, avoid sprays used in non-organic farming etc. When you understand the science behind how these things muck up our hormones, it really motivates you!
Another great read: Women, Hormones & The Menstrual Cycle by Ruth Trickey.Google this woman, she has a clinic in Melbourne with some great assistance for TTC.
Another factor to look into: Lunar-ception!!! Some people think it's way out there, but I'm seriously wondering!!! The concept is that as well as being fertile during the obvious times mid-cycle when obvious fertile mucous is present, it is also possible to conceive according to your lunar cycle - that when the moon is at the same phase as when YOU were born, you could have a kind of 'break-through' fertility even if it's at a wierd time of your cycle, and that sex can actually trigger than moon-influenced odd patch of fertility.
Well. I looked up what the ol' moon was up to when I was born. Counted that I was born exactly 19 days before the full moon. I noted the full moon for each month, then noted when 19 days before the moon was each month. So I had TWO potentially fertile times in each month. On the month I conceived, I had signs of fertility mid-cycle as you'd expect, which also coincided with the full moon. How normal. All three of my babies were all born on the full moon too. Then just like you'd expect, my temperature rose as it should when progesterone kicks in after ovulation. BUT THEN (insert twilight sone musack please) things got wierd. On day 25 of my cycle, my temp dropped back down to a low oestrogen temp after being up for 7 days post-ovulation. Fertile mucous appeared! The Maybe Baby showed a ferning pattern! And this was ... exactly 19 days before the full moon! You'd better believe we DTD! Now apparently this is medically impossible. Pfft. Well, I was charting scrupulously at the time, so I know what happened! I then had 20 days of high progesterone temps, and then a BFN. Spittin' chips you can be sure! However, on day 50 of my cycle, after 24 days of high temp, I got a BFP.
So .... when did I conceive? Mid-cycle between days 13-16 of my cycle - - - or on day 25 of my cycle ... 19 days before the full moon! I sure am not estimating my due date based on when my LMP was!
i want in on this thread ! (lol) i actually found a local Doula who is a homeopath, and i'll hopefully be seening her this week. i have conceived naturally three times since December last year, unfortunately i didn't get to carry them for long, but it gives me hope. i take:
blackmore's pg and b/f gold
blackmores bio-c (1000mg daily)
started on blackmores complete B
and blackmore's total calcium.
stopped the flaxseed as it promotes estrogen ( i have PCOS) but maybe i'l start again?
see, FM, it CAN happen! two of the ladies in my TAFE class had babies at 45 - another is pg naturally after years of infertility and a severe adverse reaction to the IVF drugs - she's 38.
:cheer: we'll beat the odds!
thank you Julie Doula - I will have to re-read that later today when I have more time.
By the way, I know first hand 3 women who got pregnant/had Happy & healthy babies post 42 - one was 45 - all with their own eggs.:clap::dance: They all were success IVF stories. See my other post re: how many eggs to transfer post-40 years for some more details.
Totally OT...but...Congratulations Julie!! Wonderful news! :D
Buliej - When I conceived my bub I wasn't doing anything special at all. Wasn't even taking vitamins as we weren't actually trying at the time. I was drinking loads of coffee and was under huge stress both of which are supposed to hamper things yet this was the sticky bub. I did however cut transfats out of my diet about 3 months before I first started falling pregnant last year. I believe that's what made the difference for me.
Healthy Living - Eating and Drinking - Fats and cholesterol
has some great links and info about trans fats.
lol i have enough trouble with my weight WITHOUT eating all that processed stuff!
UPDATE: i just had a lovely home visit with that Bellingen doula who tells me there are quite a few local women having naturally conceived babies at 45 plus - so there is still hope for us!!!
Hi Future Mum,
Just wanted to say there was an article in the Saturday 'Age' (I don't know where you live - but that's a Melbourne newspaper)! about an increased sucess rate for women over 40 on IVF in recent years.
I hope that it you get your wish. I was thinking - Idon't know if you reached a decision yet - but if you keep trying at least you'll know that you've done everything that you can.
My nanna conceived my mother naturally when she was 39 in the 1940s. This was her first and only successful pregnancy after many miscarriages. I also know of a lady in her forties at work who thought she was starting the menopause and was actually pregnant with twins. She had given up on ever having children but now has healthy twins.This is really interesting. I just checked out my lunar cycle and I was born right on a full moon. After thinking how cool it was to be actually born on a full moon, I recognised that since I have had my ovarian drilling, my mid cycle time cooincides with the full moon. This also happened when I randomly started getting regular periods a couple of years back. I remember this because I have always made a point of looking at the moon to see what it is doing at various points of my cycle because I felt it was more relevant to a natural female cycle than a man-made calendar with man-made dates and prescriptive cycle lengths is. The moon is also female energy. I am going to read more about this lunar conception theory!:
Hi there. I just wanted to add my story. I am single so I tried IVF. I was 41 when I started. At 42 I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I just wanted to say that age should not be a deterrent. I actually found accupuncture was my savior. It improved my egg quality and helped the embryo implant. I actually had twins but at the 6 week scan only one heartbeat. I also went on baby aspirin and was taking fish oil capsules (all of which I will do again).
I recently found a great site. Stories 26-50 which talks about low progesterone. I think the FET I just had fail was because I had low progesterone. I started bleeding and had a blood test and was prescribed pessaries but it was too late. I would not do another FET without getting progesterone testing and/or pessaries from the day of ovulation. Read the website I have pasted above, especially if you have had miscarriages - it is an eye opener. Good luck to all.
I should mention that I used by own eggs for my pregnancy. I found accupuncture improve the quality of the eggs.
I actually tried to post an earlier post but it did not work for some reason.
I wanted to share my story. I started IVF at 41. After two unsuccessful cycles started accupuncture. I then had two embryo's implanted and at the 6 week scan there was only one heartbeat. I had my DS at 42 and he was 26.3 weeks. Perfect but a little too early!! Anyway I put my success down to accupuncture, fish oil capsules and baby aspirin.
I had one frozen embryo left so I had FET a few weeks ago. Again I did accupuncture and I know it did take because I had symptoms and I wasn't on any medication. Unfortunately I bled at 6dpt - I only have a 21 day cycle and I don't think the Dr took that into consideration for my FET. I should have been on progesterone suppositories.
Anyway I have found this great site which is very imformative for anyone who has trouble keeping pregnant. We should all be tested for progesterone levels and be on suppositories to help keep the pregnancy. Women who were told it was "nature's way" after miscarriage after miscarriage went on to have beautiful babies after being put on progesterone. It keeps the pregnancy viable. I am going to try again for a little sibling for my DS and am going to keep on the progesterone for most of the pregnancy.
Anyway it is very interesting reading all these women's stories from this website.
Stories 26-50
Hi. I am 43 and currently pregnant, but experiencing complications. I have had two wonderful children in my twenties and thirties and have fallen pregnant twice in my forties. I had a miscarriage at 40 and there is uncertainty with this one. The thing is, both times I conceived, I basically fell pregnant straight after we stopped taking precautions. I didn't try again at 40 as the home front was shaky, but if this current pregnancy is not meant to be I am trying again straight away! My doctor was pleased that I was still so fertile, but not overly surprised.
Relax and keep the faith. Good luck with everything.
Darcy your previous posts were moderated as you are new and did multiple posts. The system just picks it up automatically. I have approved them now and you should be ok to post further.
Just bumping in case anyone else had a over 40 pg story
I have a friend who conceived naturally at 45, after one IVF bub at 39, and years of IVF in between! Go figure :)
I am 41 and think I have a BFP today (positive POAS but waiting on bloods). BUT, the embryo transferred was from when I was 39yo so I dont think it counts :).
I read this thread with interest in case this little one doesnt stick, as we will embark on further cycles if so. Thanks for bumping it again!
Hi
I fell pg naturally last year at 41. We had done 3 cycles of IVF all with disastrous results and I was told to find an egg donor as my eggs were poor quality.
After less than 6 months of acupuncture and chinese herbs I fell pg. Unfortunately our baby had trisomy 21 and we lost him at 18 weeks. Up until that time the pg had gone perfectly.
So, there is hope. We are trying again but I am finding that my body has not recovered fully yet and I don't have a regular cycle. But we're still hopeful that it will happen.
Also, a friend of a friend conceived their little girl naturally at the age of 44. They had done IVF but gotten nowhere and had given up and then fell pg! She is now a happy and healthy toddler!
Chez67 - best of luck to you...I love your friend's story - it gives me hope.
Hope that you have success soon.
My mum will be 44 this week and she is 6 months pregnant at the moment.
She was not supposed to be able to have more children so there is definately hope.
Oh I just found this thread and look forward to reading it in full
I went to a party last Sat night, and met a lady whos is the godmother to a lady who did two rounds of IVF then fell pregnant naturally at 46 ... My mum had me at 43, I truely believe that it can happen naturally
I went to a local doctor and told him my intentions to have a baby, his response was "definately not" but he referred me to a gynocologist anyway. The gyno upon the first visit prescribed clomid to induce ovulation even though I had not asked for it and had not started "trying" at that stage. I was on clomid for 9 months and to no avail, I did not fall pregnant. I consulted with a well known IVF clinic who told me that the live birth rate at my age was less than 5% and to not waste my time or money. Well, I just maintained at that stage that no stuffy doctor was going to tell me I could not have a baby. Biologically I was entitled to one since I was menstruating regularly!! So I stopped the clomid and stopped trying for 4 months. I started trying again and on the second attempt I was pregnant. My daughter was born on 2.2.09 and I was 44 years and 7 months old. So to this story their was no IVF or clomid involved, my own eggs with a natural conception. There you go you stuffy doctors what do you say to that!!! My daughter is beautiful and healthy and hasn't a thing wrong with her. I just feel this believe about not being able to conceive after 40 is part of a subtle worldwide conspiracy to keep women scared,unconfident and powerless so we are more likely to do the bidding of the male gender and make those large pharmacuetical corporations rich( most likely headed or owned by men) sounds far fetched? Maybe not! Keep your chin up ladies, you are headed for motherhood and God be with you and your soon to be new arrival:dance:
Yep,
colleague was 39 when she got pregnant with her first (IVF) bub.
Couple of years on IVF again with multiple 'abnormal' embryos on PIGT.
At 45 she got pregnant naturally and had a 100% normal little girl.
Dont give up! :)
there are 3 girls in my mothers group that are over 40...
they each have a child nearing 2 yrs old and ALL THREE are expecting their next bubba's in December, January and March!!!!!
These guys were fortunate to not have to go down the IVF route, so yeah, used their own eggs ITH.
good luck and dont give up hope!!