To not know if I can get pregnant at 49?

[Holyguacamollie]

I stopped using contraception a few months ago because quite frankly I'm sick of it and when I googled getting pregnant at 49.6 it said it was 0-1% chance.

It felt like v good odds.

However. I now 'feel' pregnant and I'm a bit panicked. Period due in a few days.

Surely I couldn't be could I?

Will they not do the operation now? Do they count you as too old?

If so, what a very narrow age range it must be to actually access sterilisation!

I'm hoping they all know the same one

I'm 56 and until last year was having regular periods. DH had a vasectomy after DC2 was born, but if he hadn't we would still be using contraception. I know someone who had a baby at 53, when her dc were in their 20s. She assumed she was going through the menopause.

I think the second highest rate of unplanned pregnancy is in perimenopausal women, who mistakenly abandon their contraception too early! Frankly, I'm amazed anyone in perimenopause even feels like sex in the first place, my god the migraines!!

I’ve not known anyone passed 44 have a successful pregnancy but despite odds being slim- it does happen!
I hope you are happy with the outcome either way OP!

I do know someone who conceived (and had a term baby) at 49

She was devastated when she first found out (she had actually gone into hospital to have an operation and they automatically do pregnancy tests first - she said 'fine, I'm menopausal and my husband's had a vasectomy (in his mid/late 20s' - it was positive. She was so convinced she couldn't be pregnant she thought she had a rare cancer that could produce HCG - next day a scan showed she was almost 20 weeks

After further investigation and explanations by the doctors, the old way they did vasectomies can after about 15-20 years reconnect and grow back - less likely now as they burn and seal the ends.

They were happy in the end, I think they had 5 grandchildren older than their baby (all the kids had moved out as were grown up - I think the age gap was about 25 years between siblings)

Interesting how so many people "know of" a pregnant 50 year old yet not many (any?) appearing on the thread. Doesn't seem to add up of its so common.

The latest I've heard of in real life is 42/43 natural conception no donor eggs.

It worries me people peddling you can have a successful natural live birth in their 50's when it's incredibly rare. There might be some people in their late 40s on here TTCing and get false hope.

My grandma nearly 60 years ago had 2 successful planned pregnancies in her early 40s which back then was unheard of really. I work with a lady who had a baby at 46. She found out at 16 weeks she was expecting. She thought she was menopausal. I personally will be taking contraception well in to my 50s.

early pregnancy doesn't equate to successful live births - miscarriage or abortion are more likely at this age- but personally i wouldn't like to face either at my age, this is what vasectomies are for! the oldest UK woman to have a naturally conceived live birth was 59 apparently...

Very very unlikely.

JFC, you've all scared my 48 year old arse back on the mini pill. 😱

I’ve looked after a woman today who gave birth to twins last week: she is 47 and it was a natural and accidental conception.

Yes, I know that early pregnancy doesn't equate to live births. Past 50, a live birth from a pregnancy is still rare, although more common now with donor eggs and significant medical intervention etc.
Still uncommon.
I really find age 50+ pregnancies being so common in the above post, even in the early stages, quite improbable.
Although I could be proved wrong.

Naturally conceived at 46. Currently busy looking after my 6 month old.

Yes, I was quite shocked by the number. Maybe there’s something in the water around here?! I don’t recall her saying how many went on to have the babies; it was over a decade ago, but that number stuck in my head. They were referred to her because of their age.

Lovely ❤️

I was thinking this? Especially since the wikipedia page on pregnancy over 50 actually lists each individual case (and not all are natural either) which indicates it’s really uncommon!

I do know/know of a few people who have had babies in mid 40s but don’t actually know the circumstances (obviously would never ask as it’s none of my business) so I have no clue whether or not they used IVF or even donor eggs. I do believe a lot of the celebrities who have kids late in life have probably had a bit of help.

I was in hospital with a woman having her first at 53 😱

Naturally conceived at 46. Currently busy looking after my 6 month old.

You're an outlier (at 46)

But we've had 100+ people say they 'know of someone' 49 to early 50s who had a live birth. And so far we've had one (?) firsthand claim from you. Its a bit strange, isn't it? Where are all these older mothers?

I gave up contraception a few years ago. I'm also 49. When I was having my babies we didn't have these early pregnancy tests and we had to wait till we were overdue to test.

I'm still having regular periods now for my sins. Hopefully they will stop soon!

Menopause symptoms definitely v like early pregnancy so hopefully it is not positive (if that's what you want!)

Also, you could have easily been 45 at birth @TheInterceptor, that's really not the same as people knowing 50+ women giving birth

Maybe they are all too busy with their children to pop onto a forum?

I was 35 when I fell pregnant twice, gave birth at 36. But you'd have thought I was 90 the way they were going on. Had a mmc then a healthy pregnancy but they made me feel so bloody old! I also fell pregnant at 37 after 1 attempt. That ended as well. Which after the way they made my feel was a blessing.