To want to try to conceive naturally at 40?

[sometimesalways]

I am turning 40 this month and have a beautiful 2 year old DS conceived through ivf. We had been trying since I was about 35 but never managed to conceive naturally, did all the tests and nothing came back wrong so we never found out why. I put it down to work related stress but obvs no way to know for sure. I was lucky enough to conceive DS on first try with ivf. I was 37 and have a few embryos frozen from that cycle. Good quality.

We are now looking at options for a second child. On one hand, I would like to conceive naturally. I am not looking forward to more rounds of injections! BUT the embryos that I have frozen would probably be better quality than my eggs now.

WIBU to even try to conceive naturally? Would it be a safer bet to go straight for frozen embryo transfer and not loose time?

I'd love to hear some thoughts and stories

Have you had any medical advice?

It seems really positive that you have options. Do you feel that you could have a period of trying to conceive without the intervention, and have the back up if you don't get your BFP?

I don't know if you want anecdotes, but I conceived my only child at 43. Had one mc prior at 41. Was generally fit and healthy and had no issues during pregnancy or delivery. So, assuming that you are in good shape health wise, you have potentially a little wriggle room.

Do a natural FET them... You dont need a medicated transfer.

Then*

I find it a bit odd tbh that you don't know you can do unmedicated FETs and that most new protocol FETs are tablets not injections

All I will say is that I’ve also been blessed via IVF first time and also have no discernible cause from either of us for the unexplained infertility. I am a bit younger than you are but we started TTC a full 12 years ago when I was in my 20s and never once had a natural spontaneous pregnancy. I went through IVF at 30 and delivered at 31. I’m still technically TTC as am on no precautions as they can’t tell us why we can’t and we are still open to it, if it happens. If not, we also are fine with that. If I were in your shoes with good quality embryos and wanting another child close in age I’d definitely be making plans with those embryos! All the best !!!

I was 37 on our first icsi cycle and we now have a 7 Yr old. You could try naturally for a short time and if no success look to do an fet. An fet can be natural where you are tested to check for ovation so they know when to transfer or can be medicated. The medicated round isn't as intensive as a full cycle as they are not looking to develop additional eggs. You can discuss the pros and cons of fet protocols with your clinic.

Thank you all! I had a look online and read about natural FET, I didn't realise! Sounds like a great thing. I was never given the option of it, or of tablets before i don't think. Or maybe I did but was strong advised to go for medicated cycle.

We have only started looking at things now so we haven't had an appointment with the clinic yet, they would have told me I imagine. Also, our first ivf was through NHS which I feel extremely lucky for, but the downside was that it took almost about a year of investigations and waiting lists. They were really booked up. So now we will go private and I hope things will move faster. And yes I guess we can keep trying naturally in the meantime!

Thank you! And yes I love anecdotes especially positive ones