38yrs old how long to conceive

[LunarBear]

So im technically only early in my journey. 4 months ago I came off BC after a VERY long time on it. We've since been trying for 3 cycles and not going to lie even though logically I know it can take longer at my age I'm still disheartened each time AF appears.

So I was just wanting to know how long it took for others in a similar age range. I know everyone's journey is different. But sometimes I wonder have I left it too late (dramatic i know, but AF is here and I'm feeling deflated)

I also have a polyp being removed from my cervix next month, a 9mm fibroid....so not sure if that'll help. The Drs don't think they are causing any issues.

Have you considered fertility awareness cycle tracking? It’s a great indicator of how healthy you cycle is (if you’re ovulating and how long your luteal phase is) and you can identify your fertile window.

I got pregnant pretty much straight away each time we tried between the age of 35-39 but had 2 miscarriages and 2 live pregnancies.

I got pregnant straight away at 36, no complications low risk pregnancy, so it is possible later in life. The one piece of advice I have is to make sure trying is fun! All the happy hormones your body releases during sex can definitely help contribute to a successful outcome. Obviously there are a ton of other factors at play too, but you hear so much of people trying for ages, then falling pregnant unexpectedly once they've stopped trying because they no longer feel under pressure

Yeah i am tracking ovulation and my cycle etc. I do tests for peak ovulation. Everything is very regular and my cycle is always in my 25 - 28 day period. We are also actively trying daily as well during that time frame

@Jblackyeah I did wonder if I just switch off for a month, my partner and I are very active anyways and just enjoy not worrying about it. See how that goes

Started trying at around 35, but in a very relaxed ‘let’s see what happens kind of way’. At 36 started with all the tracking and aiming for fertile window etc. Referred myself to GP for testing when I turned 37 and had still had no joy, but this was during covid when everything was understated taking even longer than usual on NHS and ended up going to a private clinic for tests which identified i had blocked right tube and fairly low ovarian reserve (though I think completely average for my age). Doctor suspected other tube may have been damaged and therefore not functioning as a result of whatever caused the blockage in the right side. Did three full cycles of IVF and finally go pregnant just after turning 38. It was a long and stressful road and one thing I wished I had known at the time is that ivf is really not a fix for age-related fertility issues, most of which are actually down to quality and not quantity of eggs. Chances of success via ivf decline rapidly with age. All of which is said not to scare you, but just as it’s something I wished I’d known and would definitely have referred to treatment earlier if I had. I think NHS advises women over 35 to refer to GP if they are not pregnant after 6 months of trying and I think that’s good advice.
Fertility is such a mystery - I spent ages online at one point trying to find stories of older women conceiving naturally with no issues, but this can’t tell you anything about your own chances. Everything varies so much between individuals and so much is down to luck. I actually got pregnant with a second age 40 when not even trying and rarely having any sex due to being so tired from working full-time and having a toddler. Incidentally I was also supposed to be getting a cervical polyp removed when I fell pregnant with my second, so obviously hadn’t harmed my chances, but I think they can be an issue potentially

I fell pregnant without expecting to at 37 I though I was to old and fat so got a shock! I had a miscarriage the first time but a few months later I got pregnant again and all went well. Your body is still probably returning to normal if you have been on BC for a long time but try to relax if you can I know that's easier said than done! I found when we really tried to concieve it took longer than when we tried the see what happens approach. Just remember everyone is different and for some it takes longer. Good luck xx

I had my first at 29 and got pregnant the very first cycle. I foolishly assumed it would be just as easy the second time but I’m 35 now and it’s taken me almost 2 years to fall pregnant again. Early days for me too (4 weeks) so hoping it sticks!! Good luck to you x

Good luck to you too! And yeah given i have surgery for the polyp next month (if no pregnancy beforehand) I might just not actively track it and see what happens!

I started at 38 and I’m nearly 2 years in to ttc now
hoped it would happen before now.

The thing is - by 38 yrs old - often 60 - 70 percent of eggs are abnormal etc

We are doing ivf

Paid 3.5k for pgta testing

4 out of 6 embryos were abnornal

Embrolygist said thats in line with my age

I fell pregnant with my second at 37 on our 3rd month of trying. Was 4th cycle for my daughter with my ex husband 6 years before that at 31. Now ttc #3 at 40 years old. This is our first proper cycle and had negative test a couple days ago so think I'm out this cycle which I expected. I know it might take quite a bit longer now I'm older but trying to stay positive especially as it happened in reasonable time the last time. We'll be on holiday in 2 weeks during next fertile window so hopefully being more relaxed will help

I am about to turn 38 June and conceived on my first cycle - yet to see if it will be a viable pregnancy as I am 3-4 weeks (just posted my positive)

Due to my age I am very anxious and not naive enough to expect this to result in a live - could be a chemical

I had my DC1 at 38 after 12 months of trying. Started trying to conceive a second DC 12 months later and sadly went on to have six miscarriages. I am now 44 and stopped TTC two years ago. I had GP advice and a referral to the hospital who ran lots of tests but nothing showed up in the results other than fibroids which the consultant didn’t think was making any difference. I would have loved a second child but it wasn’t meant to be for us.

It is definitely possible to have a DC at 38 though so wishing you lots of luck, OP.

Hi I had 2 babies and 4 miscarriages in my 20s and early 30s. All conceived within 1-3 months of trying. My last daughter at age 37 took 8 months to conceive - I felt like it was never going to happen by month 7! Nice easy healthy pregnancy. So hang in there.