Too old to conceive?

[Lainey1]

Hello. This is the first time I have dared to allow myself into a forum and I am a little nervous but desperate for some comfort. I am 43 now. I have been on clomid for 6 months but to no avail. I had just turned 42 when I came off contraception - depo provera, which took a while to wear off and have had no luck since. Am I too late to conceive?

I'm sure there will be lots of stories soon to give you hope Lainey. Best of luck x

Hi Lainey, I assume you have seen a gynaecologist as you've been on clomid but are you having regular cycles still? Have you had recent blood test to check you are actually ovulating?
Lots of women your age do conceive but, as I'm sure you know, the chances of conceiving decline with age.

What does your gynaecologist think?

Thank you both for your kind words. I have had a blood test which shows I am ovulating and I am having regular cycles. I have been under so much stress with this and with my job that I feel I am going under sometimes and that I am not good at anything.

I know I have to play the waiting game, but it is so painful as each month drags into another one.

Lainey1 - I feel your pain!!

Going through same thing (2 yrs older than you) and I know how awful it feels to wait and wait and feel as though your life is 'in limbo' as it were ...

You may find this thread a good source of info

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/744534-Feisty-amp-Fabulous-at-40-the-continuing-adventures-of-TTC

If it's any help I have two friends who conceived at 42 so don't give up!!

Don't let your consultants let you languish, and play the waiting game. (3 mos to do this, 4 months to do that) Make them step up the efforts sooner rather than later. You deserve the best shot you can get! I hope it works out for you, very soon. Don't give up and pressure them to do the very best they can, as soon as they can - so you won't have any regrets.

I would also be asking them to be testing your actual egg quality as this can decline with age.

Any result over 6 months should be discounted, you need up to date test results.

It depends. We have a thread on Chat of women who've all had babies past 40, but we could all been really lucky. Technically it's still possible until the menopause, but everything gets a lot more hit and miss at our age. Women have been having babies in their 40s and even 50s for ever, so it's clearly possible. I don't know what else to say really except, that yes, it is possible.

Should also mention that we were trying for 6 years to get this last baby- from age 35 to 40. I finally conceived totally unexpectedly at age 40 and 11 months well after I'd given up hope.

Thank you for the link - it did offer some comfort. I realized that I am not so alone.

Lainey - nothing to add other than come and join us on the TTC 40s link already added - see you there.

...actually I do have something to add... I believe the average conception time for people in their twenties is 5 months and for people our age, over a year. So your experience isn't unusual based on that. Chin up.

Hi there - no wonder you're counting the grey hairs! It is so stressful TTC. I am on day 28 of my final cycle of clomid and got a negative pregnancy test result this morning. I prayed before I got the result but so upsetting - yet again. Thing is: I can say I am going to give up trying but I know that my heart will not let me.

I wish you lots of luck... x

I was talking to a lady yesterday whose ds is at that same preschool as my dd, (so he's 3.5) and she's 48! They do say your fertility rises when you approach the menopause too.
And I thought at any age drs wouldn't suggest fertility treatment unless you've tried for two years!

Another vote for getting to the fertility clinic ASAP. The sooner you get there the more options will be open to you.

BTW I conceived the first time entirely naturally at 44. Having problems ttc #2 (now 46) but fertility clinic haven't turned me away.

Good luck.

Thank you for this! Gives me glimmer of hope!