To think you can get accidentally pregnant at 40?

[donniedarko89]

I am 40 and on the mini pill Noriday. I know it can stop periods, however in the past I have had light bleeding at the time where I would normally get my cycle.

Last month I had gastro and didn't think too much about taking extra protections in the week following. Only had sex once, and assumed that with my age it wouldn't matter.

Now my "period" is 5 days late though. I am abroad in a place where I can't easily access a test and I won't be able to until next week. Do you think it's a realistic possibility that I might be pregnant? I read that only 2% of women actively trying to conceive are successful at this age, surely I can't be?

Admittedly I didn’t realise the possibility was so low at 40 (Google says 5%) but yes of course you could be.

Thank you all for your replies. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I was pregnant, although DH and I decided at the time to stop at one child and this would cause some stress. Will test as soon as I can, at least I will know one way or the other.

I’m 41 this year and currently snuggling my 10 week old.
I was perimenopausal and was convinced the shop had shut for good, obviously not!

Hi @donniedarko89 I had a baby at 33 then failed to conceive for years. Suddenly fell pregnant at 41. I'm 43 now and she's one on Sunday. It absolutely can happen. I'm getting the coil next month because I definitely don't want anymore!

Of course you can! My dd did at 42.
I’ve read about ‘the last fling of the ovary’, I.e.a period of late 30s/early 40s fertility, so it pays never to be careless with contraception - that is not unless you’d welcome a happy little ‘accident’.

I fell pregnant 3 times over the age of 40.

I did at 44, hadn't used contraception for 6 years, marriage ended, met new partner & was pregnant within 3 months. It sadly ended up in miscarriage at 16 weeks, but I still managed to get pregnant.