Did it take you over 7 months age 40 to get pregnant?

[Sara1003]

How long did it take you at 40 to get pregnant. 7 months trying and wondering if should go to IVF.

Chances of natural conception about 5 to 10% per year at 40.

Took me 12 months at age 39. Loads of people and threads on MN from women who have either intentionally or accidentally found themselves pregnant at 40 and beyond. Keep trying. Good luck x

It took a year at 38 for my first pregnancy was one month from starting IVF and I became pregnant.

I ended up changing my diet completely no alcohol, no sugar , carb free as much as possible and that seemed to work …. Sending baby dust your way

I started trying age 39 and it’s been almost 5 years and unfortunately it never happened. Had 4 rounds of IVF and 3 miscarriages in that time.

This isn’t true at all. There is a lot of misinformation about the chances being 5-10% per cycle (not per year!) but that data in itself is extremely flawed based on small trial numbers and outdated information.

OP fertility is entirely individual and age is just one factor. I would have a chat with your GP to maybe get the ball rolling with some interventions - a lot can be done before going down the IVF route, you may need more progesterone for example.

Anything like extra progesterone would need to be done via a fertility clinic, which on the NHS is likely to be well over a 1y wait so if the OP is thinking of this I'd strongly suggest she does it privately.

Hi OP,

I'm currently 32 weeks at 42 years old so I'm walking proof that it can and does happen - it did however take us a long time to conceive (several years).

We didn't seek medical intervention for our own reasons but, if this is something you want to do, I wouldn't delay it too long

My first 2 at 24 and 34 i conceived first month. I started trying for no3 at 39 and i conceived on cycle 5.

4 months from stoppingbthe pill at age 40. One false alarm between.

OP, please remember that regardless of age, it is perfectly normal for it to take up to a year to fall pregnant. Many GP's won't even start a referral for tests until after this time, although some will do it earlier if you are over 35.

Took one month to get pregnant.
Had a miscarriage.
Took one month to get pregnant again.
No miscarriage!

I'm 38 and ttc for over 3 years. No sign of a positive test yet.

second month of trying, miscarriage, then first month of trying again with a successful pregnancy. But it really is different for everyone.

Hi OP
im in a similar situation, I would recommend starting having tests with GP and hospital referrals if needed. They can take a while and you can always keep trying in the meantime. The most embarrassing part for me was initial GP chat, everyone since then has been lovely. We are about to start round 2 of IVF

Definitely start getting tests now. Don’t wait to get them done. In some cases, like low ovarian reserve, you need to get on it as soon as possible. At least you’ll get on the lists quicker. IVF takes quite some time to get all the tests done first.

I got pregnant at 40, not actively trying and only had sex once that month. I’m 42 and this is my first month of ttc again and I’m 2dpo

Took about 5 months each time at 39 and 41, but I realise we were very lucky

Lots of fertility clinics won’t take a patient anymore after they completed their 40th year. If you want to go IVF you might need to do it asap.

also here they say women from 35 years plus to go to a fertility specialist if they haven’t conceived for half a year. To not lose time in case there are hormonal reasons or anything like that.

Took me 10 months at 40. Seven months at 38. I'm 43 now and we've been trying a year - will give up soon.

Thanks for the comments, it definitely sounds difficult. 😬

@Sara1003 there's a degree of scaremongering above but I agree you (and partner) should get checked out asap if this is something you really want. Not because 7 months is a crazy amount of time to have been trying but so you know asap whether your best course going forward is something assisted.

@Sara1003 I’d definitely go to your GP and get fertility testing - if you’re over 35 you’re eligible for investigations after 6 months of trying. My GP said they offer IVF after two years of trying but the cut off for referrals is under 42.

Knowledge is power so do all you can to understand the system and your options. I did a hertility test that gave me a picture to take to my GP.

@CharLdn sounds like a good step forward. I guess this many months of no luck means I need to investigate further.

I got pregnant 3rd cycle at 38
2nd cycle at 39
1st cycle at 39
1st cycle at 41

Have 2 kids as first 2 pregnancies ended in loss
best of luck to you x

I am sceptical of the research about women ttc at 40+ as it’s pretty out of date. Women are living longer, healthier, stats are not up to date and society is far more accepting of women having babies which didn’t happen say 30 years ago so that data is not reflective of nowadays

1st pregnancy at 40 1st cycle just come off the pill had sex once (miscarriage though NOT related to age)

2nd pregnancy at 40 1st cycle trying (miscarriage NOT related to age)

3rd pregnancy at 41 2nd cycle of trying but I needed to put on a bit of weight so the first month I knew I wouldn’t conceive and now going into my second trimester.

i have stage 4 endo so was shocked it was so quick for me.

Personally I think it’s to do with genetics. My mums mum was 43 when she had her and my mum had her menopause quite late.