Is it possible to have a successful pregnancy at 43?

[toodoo]

I think my time is up for a second child. I've had one pregnancy which ended in loss and nothing since

I'm blessed to have one already thank goodness

Just wondered if anyone had any success stories

Didn’t want to read and leave. Just thought I’d mention that I’m a midwife and it is not uncommon for us to see mums in their 40s with perfectly healthy pregnancies. Granted, some of those are IVF but definitely not all of them! The statistics say it’s harder to conceive, and yes there is a definitely a higher risk of complication, but that doesn’t mean it’s inevitable! If it’s something you want, speak to your GP and get trying

My friend had twins at 47 (second set!) so definitely possible.

My aunt had a successful pregnancy at 43 after being told she was infertile!

Possible but unlikely. You can look up the stats easily, no doubt you have. You can keep trying and accept what happens, or you can seek fertility treatment.

Your title and OP invite tales of success. You'll get them. Those anecdotes tell you nothing about your own chances of success.

Stats on a population level, with inferences about the average woman don't either. If you want to know how many good eggs you have, go and get them counted. Or just try and hope for the best.

I had my 4th at 42 and 5th at 44. Conceived naturally with both and both pregnancies went relatively well. I have a heart condition so this was the only factor for complications. Goodluck.

I know several people who have but as lottie says the stats show that its not a huge number.

I know people who've had babies at 44. Natural conceptions. And my midwife told me she had delivered a baby from a woman of 50. Natural conception. One of those pregnancies that was first mistaken for the menopause. It's not common but it happens.

The age of the father does have an impact. Success is more likely if he's younger.

Stats may be slightly misleading at society level in that most women over 40 don't want to conceive, so take precautions against it.

Yes, I had a straightforward pregnancy at 42, my first pregnancy & natural conception.

If age of partner matter then mine was 45 last baby. We did have a loss miscarriage at 10 weeks the year before, but as hard as it was it could of been any reason.

I sort of had a mental cut of 42, but if I had got to 42 and still felt I wanted another I would continue to try. I may indeed do this and try for number 3 probably won't once DC2 gets to one I'll of come to my senses

Best of luck, sometimes I thinks it's just bad timing not getting a bfp , try earlier in your cycle as you get older.

I know plenty of women who have had babies in their 40s. Good luck OP!

I had my first at 41, a loss at 42 and am now 38 weeks pregnant at 44.
It took us a year to conceive this time and I'd about given up. I did go and chat to the gp, who wasn't concerned about my age as I'd had a healthy baby recently. It seemed like as soon as I'd accepted that our DD would be any only child, I relaxed and fell pregnant!
So yes, it's entirely possible. Best of luck.

Stats aren’t good, but possible.

An important factor could be your thoughts/feelings about invasive fertility treatments like IVF, and miscarriage, since the risk of mc is high. Eg you and dh may be willing to keep ttc after 4/5 mcs (I was, was younger but had recurrent mc), or not.

Have you / DH had any fertility tests?

My grandmother had twins (her 10th and 11th children) in her forties. My mum had me in her late 40's (her first dc was by then 21). My aunt who had never been pregnant suddenly found herself pregnant at 48. She was already six months pregnant and hadn't realised, thought she was going through menopause. Her very healthy son is now a super intelligent, high flying, sporty adult so was definitely not affected by his mother's lack of pregnancy care!

Oh, and money, as the tests etc won’t be available on NHS.

I had my second the week before I was 43. Had first at 37. But had two MC in between. Can be done, but the odds aren't so great. Also you get described as a geriatric mother!

Sorry for your loss . Some people (but statistically, not many) do get lucky. Money would open up testing/intervention possibilities, and, if you'd contemplate it, egg donation lowers the miscarriage rate/risk of abnormalities that accompanies age-related decline in egg quality. Counselling can be helpful - it's partly about deciding what you're prepared to endure?

I was nearly 44 when I had my second daughter, had the first at 41. At the same time I had D2, my friend had twins (previously had 3 children in her 30s)

It's certainly true that stats can be a bit misleading, also because many people who are struggling to conceive in their late 30s and 40s, have already been struggling for a long time. People who TTC for the first time in their late 30s but who were always fertile, can often conceive quite quickly. Even they drop off fast in their 40s though.

I've read (no source, sorry) that only 2 in 5 attempts to become pregnant at the age of 40 succeed. By 42 that's much lower, and so on.

My mum’s mum had her completely unexpectedly at 43, this was 1960 so quite different in terms of care. Yes it happens, though it may be harder. Miscarriage, whilst upsetting, is also very normal at any age and not necessarily an indication of fertility. If you still want another baby there’s no harm in trying

And to clarify, I understood those stats to mean that two in five women who try to conceive during the year when they are 40, succeed in having a baby. (Not that 2/5 individual attempts at conception are successful, obviously - that would be a very, very fertile person, able to get pregnant within an average of 2.5 months!).

I'm guessing slightly that the outcome being discussed with that statistic is a baby, rather than a pregnancy.

Thanks for all the replies

I know it's a slim chance but it's a chance right? I'm going to keep trying.

I had my 4th at 42! Was a complete surprise and the best thing ever!

I know it's a slim chance but it's a chance right? I'm going to keep trying.
Yes that's a good attitude - you'll know when it's time to stop trying, but until you hit menopause there is a chance no matter how slim. Good luck!

Egg / hormone / sperm tests would give you more info.