Positive stories of conceiving at 40

[toastandbutter219]

Hey all,

I have two children, with my youngest being 2. I just turned 40 a couple months ago and I have this overwhelming feeling that I am not done, and I would like one more to make my family complete.

I have started upping my Vitamin D and taking Omega 3 and Folic Acid. I have started tracking Ovulation again, and it is still the same around cd 12/13. I had my hormone levels tested at the GP. My FSH is 13, which GP said is not concerning.

Does anyone have any stories of hope or any advice on how to improve my chances at 40?

Thanks!

Lord Winston said something along the lines of have lots of sex.

@newtb and that too of course!

Following because I’m 39 and still hoping for my first 🙏🏻

I got pregnant at 41 from one "event".

@poppymango Three women I know got pregnant at 39! Good luck to you!

@TheFormidableMrsC was that trying for your first?

I'm 41 and now 9 weeks with my second. I'd seen a consultant re endo and other issues I was having but he also does private work for fertility clinics so I was cheeky and asked him. He just told me to relax and have fun, have lots of sex and a diet rich in antioxidants and you will be fine. I fell pregnant the next month after trying for a year. Went through a big strawberry phase, literally a punnet a day (no idea if it helped) and used preseed. First month using that and got pregnant. Wish I'd tried it sooner to be honest although might have just been luck 🤷🏼‍♀️

Also following! I got pregnant easily in April, but sadly had a MMC in July. We’re starting to think about trying again but I’ve just turned 41, so keen to hear any positive stories!

I’m sorry to be boring/ a kill joy but are you sure that you should have a third child because of a feeling ? Kids are very expensive, in terms of childcare , lost wages and supporting them through any post school education.

It’s also very tough as a single mum of 3 if your marriage breaks down ( ask me how I know ☹️). I know no one thinks it will happen to them but I’m afraid it happens to one on three of us. I would never imagined that my husband could walk out, never see his kids and never pay a penny child maintenance , but he did.

Also what will happen if you have child number three and still don’t feel “complete “?

This isn’t about you being over 40 BTW, it’s just about reasons for having a third child.

@IveGotALovelyBunchOfCoconutss Congrats! That is wonderful news!! Diet rich in antioxidants. I can definitely do that! Going Strawberry picking with the kids before school is back, so I can stock up!

@MaudePie Sorry to hear that. How are you feeling about trying again?

@S0CKPUPPET Yes, I completely understand. We are in a situation financially to be able to afford another child and we are in a good place. So the feeling, is backed up by some logic too as raising kids is definitely expensive.

I had DD at 41. I wanted to improve my changes as we hadn't fallen pregnant for 2.5 years so I started taking Ubiquinol and Proceive Max. Took them for maybe 6 weeks and got pregnant. I had high BMI so I did work on my weight meanwhile too ao not sure what helped me but something did.

We had two DD’s and at 38/39 decided we’d like another, took quite a while to conceive (also had a mmc) then had DD3 a week after my 40th. Now 6 weeks pregnant with number 4 at 41 🙈 delighted but no idea how it’s happened as we only had sex once and it was about a week before ovulation. My point is, we did ALL the things to conceive DD3 and it still took ages and now here we are with totally unplanned but extremely welcome DC4 without trying 🤷‍♀️ so I think it’s mostly luck. Aware that isn’t helpful! Fingers crossed for you and have fun! 😁 x

Thank you @toastandbutter219 - I’m a little apprehensive about being pregnant again, but also desperate to be and terrified that it won’t happen! All the emotions…

How are you feeling about trying for baby number 3?

I'm 8 weeks pregnant with my second at 41 (will be 42 when I give birth - all being well).
This was all natural but DD is now 4 and we haven't been using anything for the entire 4 years with not a single BFP in sight until now.

I tried IVF at 39 with a sperm donor after I split from my partner when I was 37. Had 1 MMC and 2 failed transfers despite having good grade embryos and all clears from health checks. Gave up and decided I would accept I wasn't going to become a mum. Met my current partner when I was 40, concieved naturally and had my little boy when I was a week away from turning 42. Science and medical results on fertility are all good but the end of the day it's timing and luck. Try to relax, hope for the best outcome but don't bear yourself up if you struggle. I truly believe age is not the be all and end all of conceiving. Good luck 🤞

And me

I was still 39 when I conceived but I'm now 40 and 31+3 weeks pregnant

Baby looks healthy so far with no concerns raised and we've had a clear NIPT

I was very ill with hyperemesis earlier in my pregnancy but I also had it with my first child aged 33/34 so I don't think it's age related

It did take us almost 3 years to conceive despite actively trying (OPKs/BBT etc) and we were actually just about to start IVF when I got pregnant naturally

I started trying for a first around age 34. 4 years later, after months of tracking ovulation, cutting back on sugar and alcohol, trying all sorts of increasingly desperate natural aids like drinking pomegranate juice, legs in the air for 10 mins after sex, and finally 3 rounds of IVF, by which time I was on about 20 different supplements that were supposed to help egg quality, I finally saw that second line on a pregnancy test.

Age 40, working full time with a toddler, terrible diet, minimal exercise and very very infrequent sex - find myself pregnant

I guess you just never know. For what it's worth, I do believe high protein diets help with egg quality, and decline in quality of eggs is the main cause in the decline in women's fertility in our late 30s/early 40s

fell pregnant naturally just as I turned 40, now trying for number two at 41. We had had two MCs previous but was the easiest happiest pregnancy once the third one stuck. Absolutely can be done!

I wasn't trying. My ex husband removed a condom without my knowledge. I had had who was supposed to be my only child 13 years previously.

I conceived immediately and had my youngest at 43. Healthy normal progression throughout.

Take Ubiquinol to help your egg quality.

If your partner is also 40+ then ensure you have sex only every 2-3 days to allow his sperm to replenish.

There is a reason why IVF clinics say the partner has to abstain for three days before giving his sample on egg collection day.

Track your cycle so you know when ovulation is and time this to when you have sex.

Got pregnant at 39 and 42, had the second just days before my 43rd birthday. No interventions, just used one of those clear blue ovulation trackers.

Speaking as a mum of 3, I’d also say don’t rush into it. Especially if your older two are still quite little as the older child and teen years can bring a whole lot of issues.

An old acquaintance of mine just had her first baby at 50. She posted a picture of her with a pregnant belly a couple of months ago and then baby a few weeks ago. I'm slightly flabbergasted.... But she's obviously delighted! No idea if they used IVF. But there you go!