40 - What are my chances?

[lucybrad]

I will be 40 in december and have got 7 year old twins, and a 10 month old baby. It took 6 month to conceive the twins and 8 months to conceive DD.

Would you ladies be so kind as to share your experience of conceiving after 40. What do you think my chances are, and how likely do you think it would be for me to miscarry?

Thanks

[KatAndKit]

Your chances are fairly good especially since you have already recently had a baby without too many problems. Fertility does decline with your age but it doesn't happen overnight on your 40th birthday. It may take you a little longer but you still have a good chance. Obviously, the longer you wait to try, the harder it might get. The miscarriage rate goes up with age. realistically at 40 it is more like one in three than one in six. Having said that plenty of 40 year olds have entirely uncomplicated pregnancies.
It's definitely worth trying again, but obviously being aware that you might be trying for a bit longer than last time. Of course, you could get pregnant first month though if you are very lucky!

[lucybrad]

Thanks Katandkit. That's really helpful. Any others with experience out there - the 40+ boards are full of people (not sure if that is a good or a bad thing)

[tallulah]

I had DD 2 months before I turned 44. She was an "instant" baby, unlike her siblings who were born in my 20s but each took about 8 months.

Immediately before DD I had 2 missed mc - again fairly instant conception both times (at 42) but not a pleasant experience.

[hopefulgum]

Hi Lucybrad. I had my son at 41 - just 3 months before my 42nd birthday.I had few complications - just sacro-illiac joint pain and an irritable uterus - but I'd had that with my previous pregnancy. Since then I have fallen pregnant twice at 44, but sadly both ended in miscarriage. That isn't to say it would happen to you, as I know many over 40 mums who are pregnant or have had healthy babies. I'm almost 45 and still haven't given up hope.

The over 40's thread here is really supportive and has a lot of knowledge to share if you want to join us. At the moment there is am very high percentage of over 40's pregnant on that thread.

At my first miscarrige (I was 44) my doctor told me I had a 40% chance of miscarrying at my age, but the rate for younger women was 25%. When you compare the rate it isn't too bad. However, miscarrying, as tallulah said, is awful.

I wish you all the best, and hope to see you on the other thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1316878-Fantastic-40-thread-part-5

[Quenelle]

I conceived first month at 42. Have my 12 weeks scan today. Had DS when I was 40. I'm more worried about something being wrong this time.

[Quenelle]

I conceived first month at 42. Have my 12 weeks scan today. Had DS when I was 40. I'm more worried about something being wrong this time.

[Nospringflower]

I had my third child at 39 and wanted a fourth but had 2 miscarriages at 42 and couldn't face any more so stopped trying as was worried about pushing my luck. Happy enough with my decision but would have liked another baby.