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When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Conception

Anyone aged 47 or over had a successful pregnancy?

51 replies

MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 17:37

Just wondering if anyone out there has had a successful pregnancy at aged 47 or above? Looking for positivity not judgement - thank you

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RoseGoldHippie · 28/02/2017 17:50

Have you spoken to your dr? Are you still having ref periods etc? Good luck on your journey x

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MrsCharlieD · 28/02/2017 18:13

I have no experience of this and know nobody in real life who has experienced this but I have read success stories online and in the news. I believe janet Jackson recently had a baby at 50 and halle berry was late forties I think? I think the obvious answer is it can be done but their situation has no reflection on yours. It's like when people ask others how long it took them to conceive. My story will have no impact on another persons. The things to ask yourself would be are you still ovulating, in good health, are you mentally prepared for a pregnancy and the onslaught of exhaustion and sleep deprivation that a newborn brings. How comfortable are you with the idea of the likelihood being you will be the oldest mum at the school gates, the impact having an elderly parent has in their children. These are things to think about as your age impacts not upstairs you but the child. Ultimately lots of people have children at a time when others would not consider it. The choice is yours and your partners to make but these are some of the things I would consider if it were me. I wish you good luck in your journey.

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GreedyDuck · 28/02/2017 19:03

I think the biggest barrier is likely to be egg quality by 47, assuming you are ovulating regularly. Have you considered an egg donor?

I didn't become a parent until I was 40 and, fingers crossed, will be having another at 43. The downsides are that it is exhausting, and I worry about getting ill or dying possibly a lot more than I would if I were younger. My parents are getting to an age where they will soon need more care, and they are getting too frail to be as active grandparents as they would like to be. Most of our existing friends are well out of the nappies and sleepless nights stage, which can be a bit isolating as well.

If I could go back to my late thirties and known all of the above, I'm not sure I would still have gone for it. Obviously I adore my dd, but my biggest regret is not doing it ten years earlier.

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CaravanOnCraggyIsland · 28/02/2017 19:08

Hello, I've seen a fair few in maternity clinics. It's not as unusual as you might think it is, whilst there can be issues with your age I wouldn't count yourself just yet.

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MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 19:11

Thanks for your replies ladies

I should have pointed out and apologise for not doing so, but I am already a mother to 2 DC my last born at aged 42. Although older I was much better health wise in that pregnancy than my earlier one. I also don't find it tiring, I find it keeps me younger in mind too. I appreciate every pregnancy is different. The reason I ask my question is that do see often posts from ladies who say they got their Bfp, but never really see any follow up posts? I still have regular periods and and am still ovulating although any pregnancy in The last 2 years have been chemical. Thanks again for responding x

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TheUnnatural · 28/02/2017 19:12

My nan had her last child at 48 back in the sixties. I think she thought she was too old so it came as rather a surprise..! Her health wasn't great and it wasn't easy but 47/8 now is a lot younger than it was then iyswim. I suppose it really depends on the individual.

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Wingsofdesire · 28/02/2017 19:15

I know one woman who had at 47, one at 48, one at 49, and one who conceived naturally and had a healthy baby at 54!

A friend of mine, a doctor, says that the chronological age is only one aspect they take into account when assessing the state of a person - the biological age is also crucial, she says. Why do some people get refused alcohol when they're 48? Because they do. And it's because their biological age - and therefore the energy of them - is way younger.

Obviously it isn't common - it is rarer - but it seems that in some cases it's perfectly possible and no problem to conceive in late 40s and have a healthy baby.

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MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 19:22

UNNATURAL - thank you. I think that happened quite often. I believe my grandmother had a baby in her mid forties.

WINGS - wow! That's something one at 47, 48 and 49! And 54! Thank you for giving me a little bit of hope . Thanks again xx

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LillianGish · 28/02/2017 19:26

Wasn't Cherie Blair 47 when she had her youngest child?

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Backhometothenorth · 28/02/2017 19:29

Not quite 47 but I've recently had my second daughter and I'll be 44 in three weeks. Lovely pregnancy and perfect, healthy little girl . A friend recently had a son at 46. Good luck and I hope your dream comes true

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user1468353179 · 28/02/2017 19:29

My gran was 49 when she had my mum.

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Thingymaboob · 28/02/2017 19:35

I know a lady at work who was 46 when she conceived. It was a big shock!! She wasn't expecting it. For months she thought she was going through menopause. Her first children were already in their 20s. She struggled all the way through her pregnancy. She was so tired. She was as sick as a dog. Also, the baby was very small and came 9 weeks early. Baby ok but was in NICU for a while.
My other friend was 45. She had a planned pregnancy. She was super fit before, really muscular and lean. She was a rock climber. Her DD is now almost 3 and it has really taken it out on her. She's put on weight, she's very tired and she gets very depressed. She had a DS 14 years earlier and she didn't suffer with any of those symptoms before. She also gets very tearful that she won't be around to see her daughter start her own family & she feels really old compared to her DDs friends mothers. She feels quite isolated as most of her friends have gone through the baby stage. In all honesty, it's taken such a toll that she's a totally different person.
I'm sure there are positive stories. Sorry I don't have any

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MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 19:38

Thanks so much ladies - was having a bad day thinking about all of this but feel a bit more positive. Congratulations BACKHOME! USER 49 - that's great to hear! I. googled Cherie Blair LILLIAN and she was 45, and I stumbled on some other positive articles - Helen Fielding was 43 and 48, Liz Earle was 48 with her last child. So it's not all doom and gloom for sure! xx

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KatherinaMinola · 28/02/2017 19:39

There is (or was) a poster on here called herecomesthesun who had a child at about that age.

Many years ago (before IVF was common) I knew someone who had a child at 50.

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expatinscotland · 28/02/2017 19:42

Keep in mind that some of these mothers have used egg donors. Is it something you'd consider?

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MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 19:46

I wouldn't consider egg donor - only because I am lucky enough to have 2 DC already and if it doesn't happen naturally then I will leave it be. I feel egg donation is absolutely the right way for some people but not my particular circumstances.

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ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 28/02/2017 19:53

Cherie Blair was pregnant at 47 after she had Leo, but it ended in miscarriage. Obviously all women TTC need to be emotionally prepared for a the chance of miscarriage, but in your 40s it does become the more likely outcome, so you need to decide whether that's a risk worth taking and something you can face.

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MattsMamma · 28/02/2017 19:56

The reason I had babies later is that I've probably had around 10 miscarriages some of which were earlier than my forties too so yes I know what MC entails and have obviously thought of this

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Wingsofdesire · 28/02/2017 20:01

Blimey, just realised I didn't make it quite clear - it wasn't actually the same woman who had one at 47, 48 and 49!! Haha that would be amazing, yes!! Sorry ... I meant three different women ... but still ... not bad ...

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expatinscotland · 28/02/2017 20:04

It's probably a good idea to think about what you'll do in the event of a pregnancy if the foetus has a chromosomal or genetic abnormality which can result in disability or be life-limiting as the incidence of this definitely rises with age.

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ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 28/02/2017 20:07

I'm so sorry Matts - that must have been so tough.

You obviously are prepared then, but I felt the need to say it because late pregnancy threads often do seem to polarise the outcomes into "having a baby as an older mother" and "not getting pregnant at all" when the third outcome is very likely.

Good luck whatever you decide.

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QueenLaBeefah · 28/02/2017 20:14

One of my friends had a naturally conceived baby at 47.

I think it would be worth having a chat with your doctor.

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dilapidated · 28/02/2017 20:17

A family friend was told she couldn't have children. She eventually found herself pregnant in late 40's twice, and now has two beautiful healthy intelligent boys and as far as I am aware no issues during either pregnancy.

She's now in her sadly 60's and her boys are 16 and 12.

She doesn't look out of place being a mother at her age as she looks after herself and dresses well so looks good for her age.