Getting pregnant at 48 ....

[Hopeful66]

Hello. First post alert I am trying to get pregnant at age 48 (& a half).

I was told six years ago that my eggs were already past their sell by date and, since I had v bad periods and dh wasn't sure he wanted children had mirena for five years. And now, belatedly, dh and I both realise that we really do want a family ...

Mirena came out in April. All blood tests suggested that I was fertile (which was a surprise to gynie since I had no bleeding with mirena at all) and had one normal period. And since then nothing ... Actually no, have had monthly pmt symptoms but no actual period ...

Has anyone had any experience of getting pregnant for the first time at my age and post mirena? And any advice on what we can do to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy ... Aside from pre conception vitamins. Many thanks ...

I don't have experience personally due to age but my best friends mum had her at 49 and naturally too, no assisted conception or anything. So it can happen :-) best of luck to you OP x

Why not do a test?

Are you sure you're not pregnant already, if your period is late?

Good luck though if you're not going to be pregnant yet x

It can happen but it is rare and has it's risks for both for you and the baby. The risks of birth defects, chromosomal problems and miscarriage increase significantly. Sorry that's a bit of a gloomy answer but I think you need to go into this realistically which I am sure you are.

I am yet to scan anyone in their late 40's who has conceived naturally. They have all been through IVF and usually following a number of years of trying. My oldest mum to date is 51 with IVF a couple of years back. Her baby did have a mild to moderate abnormality but whether that was directly related to her age we will never know as IVF at any age carries a higher risk of birth defects.

Aside from fertility treatment such as follicle stimulating hormones, the advice for older women trying to conceive is very much the same as for anyone else. You need to be fit and active, healthy diet, no smoking and very limited or no alcohol. Also, relax! If you or your partner have a stressful busy worklife, that needs to change. Stress definitely hinders conception, not sure on the exact science of it but many professionals swear that as soon as couples relax, they conceive. Often this happens when a couple who have been trying a long time decide to give up. The pressure is taken off and then bingo!

Your blood tests are a positive sign that it could happen but you need to keep in mind it could be a long road ahead.

Thank you all for your comments. Hadn't thought of doing a test. That might be a good idea actually

ColdTeaAgain ... I really appreciate the reality check. I have had all of those fears (& shared them with dh) but hope and feel really strongly that it is the right time for us (although of course we know that it is unlikely, and actually if we are bing logical totally the wrong time - of course!! ) and in the meantime making sure that we are both being as healthy as possible. Thanks again x

The Impatient Women's Guide to getting pregnant. I really recommend reading this book whatever your age if ttc. Lots of useful information about conceiving as an older mum (although US biased). Helped keep me sane through a year of trying.

Hopeful have you considered IVF at all? Although I know pregnancy at 48 can happen it really is quite rare.

I am having huge problems getting pregnant at 39 with two miscarriages this year after falling pregnant straightaway at 36 with a problem free pregnancy. I know the stats of mc increase again after 42.

I don't want to be gloomy either I just don't want you to get your hopes raised and feel terribly disappointed when you could be doing something more proactive such as researching alternatives.

This (nearly full) thread might be helpful: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1990670-Fab-Forty-Plus-Where-are-the-BFPs

And the Conception topic in general might be a useful place for you.

If you are not pregnant, see your GP for some blood tests. The reality is that you might already be in perimenopause.

Have you considered seeking out a fertility specialist to help you with this, as it may increase your chances? I think to be honest natural conception at 48 is rare (and even if successful, does carry much higher risks for you and the baby) so I would consider seeking specialist advice on this, and prepare yourself mentally for being told that it's unlikely to happen. I'm not trying to be gloomy, but think it would be unfair on you to get your hopes up too high at this stage, but wish you the best of luck. xx

Should have added that one of the things that dh and I have discussed and agreed on is that we both believe that if it's meant to be it will happen naturally. Neither IVF or Surrogacy are an option financially sadly.
To be honest until those blood tests came back saying that I wasn't even peri menopausal I had made my peace with being "sparents" so this is all a bit new - I am seeing a homeopath to help things along and we are both being healthy & taking pregnacare ... And trying to find a happy medium between optimistic and realistic ...
Thank you again to you all. X

Those blood tests don't really tell you anything other than you are not in perimenopause. And you may well be now. Take a test. If it's negative, see the GP.

My periods were regular and fine. I was having hot flashes so tested. Not in perimenopause. Three months later, with one irregular period in between, I was.

It is very very very unlikely to naturally conceive and have a healthy baby at 48.

My Grandmother had my dad by accident at the age of 47, so it definitely isn't impossible to conceive naturally later in life. So you may well get lucky. But if you look at the odds, it really is very unlikely that you will conceive without intervention -and if you do conceive, the chances that you will (a) not miscarry and (b) deliver a Neuro-typical child are also very slim at such an advanced age. All you can really do is make sure you and your DH are both as fit and healthy as you can be, and taking folic acid, coq10 etc and then cross your fingers and hope for the best.

OP, I think you are taking the right approach. You have to be honest with yourself that the chances are slim but at the same time there is always a chance....

If you haven't already, I really encourage you and your DH to talk about whether, if you do get pregnant, you would opt for screening/testing for Down's Syndrome and other Trisomies and what would you do with the results once you get them. The reason I say this is because it is incredible how many couples are 100% sure they want screening yet have never even discussed with each other what they would do if they were faced with a high risk or positive result.