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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think very very few people get pregnant at 50?

84 replies

iamamickey · 13/09/2025 08:06

So I’m 50. Married to an older man and we have sex probably 2-3 times a month. It’s ok we are happy with that.

I had my implant removed and am waiting on a coil being fitted. But I’m hearing awful stories about it.

Surely it’s not that easy to fall pregnant at my age with a husband 10 yrs my senior?

OP posts:
CecilyP · 13/09/2025 09:28

Before IUF and the use of donor eggs, around 50 women a year over 50 in the UK had babies. So whilst not impossible, the chances would be similar to those of winning the lottery!

Newname42 · 13/09/2025 09:27

Personally I’d take the risk. In the extremely unlikely case that you get pregnant, you’d probably miscarry within the first few weeks.

ViciousCurrentBun · 13/09/2025 09:23

I have had 2 coils fitted and it was fine, the key is to relax if you tense up during any procedure it will always make it worse. You can’t make pain go away by thought but you can certainly improve the situation or make it worse. Fear and pleasure release chemicals in the brain, it’s why some reach for chocolate biscuits and some jump out of planes.

pinkdelight · 13/09/2025 09:21

I know someone it happened to. Her DD has just started secondary school and mum is in her 60s. She was surprised as hell to find out she was pregnant, she thought she was ill. So yes, it’s unlikely but it happens. Sod’s Law, if you were trying for a baby it’d never happen but by assuming you’re safe it might just…

soupyspoon · 13/09/2025 09:17

Not likely but not impossible

Are you a gambler OP?

Im still having regular periods at 53

Noelshighflyingturds · 13/09/2025 09:16

I doubt very much whether you do be able to carry the pregnancy at that age it might happen but it wouldn’t sustain even if you were that unlucky

Original poster
iamamickey · 13/09/2025 09:12

I’m afraid he wouldn’t consider the snip. He’s 60 and seriously doctor phobic. We have been together a very long time and I don’t think we ever used condoms. Might be worth a play with I guess.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 13/09/2025 09:06

A live birth is very rare, pregnancy less rare. If you've had children and losses, you might not seek medical help, so the full statistics won't be available. Miscarriages aren't always simple and the emotional affect can be more than you think, even if you didn't want to be pregnant. Only you can decide. Factors like health (for both of you) ethnicity etc make pregnancy possible.

stillhiding1990 · 13/09/2025 09:05

sashh · 13/09/2025 08:27

Your DH could have the snip.

But it has happened in my family. Cherie Blaire was, I think 45 ish when she had her youngest.

Is it worth taking the chance?

At 60? I do not think he would be keen

JustGoClickLikeALightSwitch · 13/09/2025 09:04

Condoms?

A friend got pregnant at 49 and has a lovely preschooler now!

Onelifeonly · 13/09/2025 09:04

It's highly unlikely but unless you get some fertility checks done, you can't rule it out. Sod's Law would say you might well get pregnant when you don't want to, so personally I'd make sure I couldn't.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 13/09/2025 09:01

When you evaluate a risk there are two questions:

  • how likely is it (in this case, not very)
  • what is the impact.

Only you can answer that. Would you be shocked but excited? Shocked and horrified? Sanguine or devastated to feel a termination is the best option?

When you know those answers, that tells you what you should do about sex and contraception.

SockQueen · 13/09/2025 09:01

You can also still 100% catch STIs if you both haven't been screened.

PumpkinSeasonOctober · 13/09/2025 08:59

If a pregnancy happened it would likely end in miscarriage at that age.

Almostwelsh · 13/09/2025 08:54

Don't be fooled by the live birth rate at this age. This is highly unlikely, even if it occasionally happens. What is more likely to happen is a pregnancy followed by a miscarriage. I wouldn't want to put myself through that.

Cyclebabble · 13/09/2025 08:50

I had my second at 44, so pregnant at 43. Which I accept is a long way from 50, but still has some proximity. I hear what you are saying, but maybe some barrier methods for a while? Condoms have really improved in recent years and I used a cap for a while, which was a bit fiddly (took out some spontaneity), but also worked for us.

GleisZwei · 13/09/2025 08:48

Highly unlikely but not impossible.

Flocke · 13/09/2025 08:47

It’s incredibly unlikely but not impossible. Although if you read threads on here it seems nearly everyone knows someone who conceived the only month of unprotected sex aged 55.

MidnightPatrol · 13/09/2025 08:42

Happypotter77 · 13/09/2025 08:26

The UK Office for National Statistics publish data on conception by age. There are very few conceptions among women aged 50+ and many of those recorded are achieved via IVF. BUT, while very rare it IS possible. The oldest mother who gave birth after natural non-IVF conception in the UK was aged 59 years.

Personally I would not take the risk, I had a coil at age 50+ and found the oestrogen Mirena coil had double benefits as well as contraception it helped me through some of the effects of menopause.

Oh my god, imagine finding yourself accidentally pregnant at 59.

spoonbillstretford · 13/09/2025 08:36

It's a possibility if you still have periods. At 50 I'm nine months into hoping they have stopped for a year, then I know I no longer need contraception.

LeavesOnTrees · 13/09/2025 08:36

Condoms ?

HappyHedgehog247 · 13/09/2025 08:34

I would probably risk it if contraception was the only reason I wanted the coil.
Sex 2-3 times a month, aged 50. If you went to a consultant and told them you were trying to conceive they would tell you it's never going to happen with these odds.
It is a small risk though. What would you do if you got pregnant? Would your partner use condoms for a couple of years?

Tiddlywinkly · 13/09/2025 08:31

You're still having periods, so the risk of pregnancy is still there.

user1471538283 · 13/09/2025 08:28

You need contraception!

You might be ok, you might not. I wouldn't risk it