Feeling very depressed about TTC stats with age

[JustShaggy]

Just found this site which says:

"Research has shown that women under the age of 25 stand a 20-25% chance of conception occurring in each cycle for those actively trying. By the time a woman reaches 35, her chances of conceiving drops to 15% each cycle. And by age 40, it plummets to a mere 5% per cycle."

I'm nearly 40. I know there are exceptions to all rules but does anyone know anything more about these sort of stats? For example, are they of a general population group who are trying by going off the pill or something? Do they include women with infertility problems? Or are they based on people trying really really hard to conceive using ovulation predictors and other tools?

Those figures have really depressed me.

However these stats come about, it's unlikely that the "5% chance at age 40" stat will apply to you personally. Your own 'statistic' will be either higher or lower than that, depending on lots of factors to do with your own (and your partner's) fertility. So don't set too much store by them.

Good luck!

JustShaggy - there is a great thread for those in their 40s ttc. You might just get in as a "youngster"!

Aw god i read that too, i just thought to myself ok if i have a 15% chance then thats pretty ok - it will mean something good surley within the next 8 months.

Truth is that those are averages, my percentage is probably alot more rubbish than 15% because i am not in great health (obese, diabetic ect) but i figure that i got pg twice in the last 2 years by my DH so something will come up as long as we keep trying.

Loads of women who are 40 and over conceive a heck of a lot more quickly than those stats have said - dont worry its not written in stone.

This is only cycle2 for me and maybe by cycle12 i will be a bit more but the way i see it when i start testing next week i am going to fully expect to get a negative, that way i wont be too disappointed and each month is closer to my goal of getting pg too.

Im not going to get too upset over stats, i just think that it will happen when it happens (and probably when i least expect it) That said i am the worlds worst poas addict - its half the fun of ttc for me

I should say that I did manage to get two BFPs last year - but both ended in miscarriage. I'm struggling with the possiblity that those might have been my only ever missed chances, never to happen again.

I'd say about 90% of me is thinking,
a/ its going to take us a long time to conceive
b/ and when we do, it'll probably be another MC

That's sort of way I'm grasping around the 'net for reassurance.

DH - over 40 - seems to think TTC is not an issue for us at all but is very also now fearful of another MC.

Thanks for the replies. They do help.

Justshaggy - sorry to hear about your m/cs.

I'm 41 and 12 weeks pregnant (very nervously waiting for the scan). Had a mmc last year.

I sound like an advertising board for other threads - but I found the ttc after m/c thread a life saver. I know there are some older ladies on there.

To be honest, I'd avoid all the statistics (says she who has googled them all like mad!)

I've found taking a what will be, will be the best approach.

I've read of quite a few ladies who have had several m/cs at your age and gone on to have a successful pregnancy. Really hope it works out for you.

Good luck.