Successful pregnancy over 40

[Furbabymum15]

Hi ladies I need inspiration. I'm 42 have no children and I'm currently waiting for a missed miscarriage removal tomorrow. This is the second time I've been told baby has no heartbeat at the 12 wk scan. I've researched and a lot points to less eggs and low quality eggs at my age. They say chromosomal abnormality is likely the reason. I'm considering trying one last time in a few wks when I recover but don't think o could take MMC a third time. Have we any successful older mum's with a history of miscarriage and a happy outcome xx

[MariposaPink]

@Furbabymum15 I saw your posts on another thread and my heart broke for you. I am also 42 and had an MMC last November and I'm currently miscarrying (starting bleeding 2 days ago at 7+3 weeks). I do have a 13 year old DD but my hubby and I are trying to have our first baby together.
So I've not got my own success story to share just yet, but I can tell you of a lady I met early this year who had a baby at 41 and again at 46. Both natural conceptions and she had only one ovary and Fallopian tube. She had an easy and symptom free pregnancy with her last child. So there is hope!
I'm just so sorry that you've been through this twice now. Once is more than enough. But perhaps have a chat with your GP (if you haven't already) about testing for thyroid function, progesterone levels, AMH/FMH levels, etc. I had my bloods done for a round of IVF last year and I have good quality eggs for my age so I'm thinking that I'm lacking in something that sustains pregnancy. So your biological age and chronological age do not necessarily match. I will be speaking with my GP on Monday about it.
All the best for tomorrow. We are all here for you

[Furbabymum15]

@MariposaPink I'm so sorry you're experiencing a miscarriage also.....it's soul destroying isn't it! Wow that's an inspiring story of success so it's possible!! It's really hard to see a doctor at the moment which is frustrating. Can they test your egg quality via your bloods? I'm so not looking to tomorrow 😭😭😭 I'm thinking of you too at this difficult time, life is so cruel x

[MariposaPink]

@Furbabymum15 Apologies, I’ve unintentionally mislead you. The AMH/FSH tests (previous typo on FMH) check your egg reserves rather than quality of eggs. So I have good egg reserves according to my tests. There has to be good eggs in there somewhere then! I do know that some are/were quality because I had 2 good quality embryos implanted during my 1 round of IVF last summer, although that wasn’t a successful attempt.
But yes, the levels can be determined through a simple blood test.
Apparently AMH Test is the most accurate marker for the egg reserves but it’s not just a case of numbers. There are other tests/factors which are taken into account to determine the final egg reserve count.
Thank you for your kind thoughts of me also. It is crushing. I’m hanging in there though. The fact that I’m not in pain is helping although I fear it’s the calm before the storm.

[Furbabymum15]

@MariposaPink thankyou so much for the information, I never knew this so I will ask tomorrow at the hospital, they said they would visually inspect the foetus when it comes out to see if it sheds any light. 😊 That's good news that you're not in any pain!!! Still a very traumatic experience though xx like you said you have a good supply of eggs and there's defo got to be some quality ones in there so fingers crossed for good news sometime soon ❤️❤️

[MariposaPink]

@Furbabymum15 you're welcome. Yes ask and see what they say. They may redirect you back to your GP but you can always pick their brains while you're there. Sending lots of love for tomorrow. Let me know what they say.

[Seeleyboo]

It can happen. I was 41 and 43 when I conceived mine. Both naturally and both pregnancies went relatively well. I have a heart condition so I was monitored closely and even more so with my age. I wish you luck.

[Em39ma]

I had a miscarriage at 39 and then 3 months later at 40 a successful pregnancy and now have a 7month old DD. I found out last week I’m expecting again, this time I’m 41. Having an early scan next sat because of my past miscarriage

[Wonkydonkey44]

Me , fell pregnant naturally at 40 and she was born totally perfect. We had a number of miscarriages before that . When I fell pregnant I started taking low dose aspirin ( off my own back) I’d had 5 miscarriages before that so had nothing to loose.

[MariposaPink]

@wonkydonkey44 I wondered about taking a low dose of aspirin during pregnancy. Did some googling and wasn't sure what to do because there was a possibility it could trigger a miscarriage. However, I had been taking a low dose of aspirin the month before I conceived both times. So how do I view it? Coincidence that I conceived when taking aspirin and they caused my miscarriages or if I'd continued taking the aspirin then I would have had a successful pregnancy? So confused.

[Sheera1]

I had an mmc at 12 weeks about 2 yrs ago. I thought maybe the ship had sailed and had got into that mindset and then fell pregnant. I am 41. I have a 10 yr old from my previous marriage.

I am so sorry to hear you are going through mmc again. I am 13 weeks and everyday was full of anxiety so I understand how you feel. I was so sick with nerves going to the scan.

I think only you can know how you feel and what you can handle. I would say try again. It is totally heartbreaking but the next one might be your wee bundle. Xxxx

[WorriedButterfly]

Hey OP and all the other ladies sorry you are going through this horrible time. From experience MMCs are truly heartbreaking. Look into diet (organic - it is expensive but it's hopefully only for a short time) and also talk to your Doc about DHEA supplements- there can be side effects so don't just take them. DHEA can help egg quality, I had an AMH of 1.3 which is low. I had 3 rounds of IVF (for Male factor) and I am sure these made a difference as well as alcohol consumption. I found the Zita West book very good - it's not just for IVF and I didn't buy any of her supplements etc and people recommend it starts with an egg - although I found that pretty heavy going. I did go au natural as much as poss (no nail varnish, hair dye etc but drew the line and deodorant and make up! ;)). Good luck and sending hugs for tomorrow- look after yourself x

[Wonkydonkey44]

I took the aspirin from 6 weeks just the low dose one . Sending love it really is soul destroying falling pregnant then loosing your baby time and time again

[gingysmummy]

Hi I had my ds at 42 after 8mmc he's now a very healthy 3 year old. I gave up after 40 as I had suffered 2 mmc that year and thought it never happen 2 years later I got pregnant . Was a terrible pregnancy had hg for 9 months

[MariposaPink]

@wonkydonkey44 did you take it throughout your entire pregnancy?

[Sheera1]

@MariposaPink I have been told to take 150mg (half a tablet) of aspirin through the whole pregnancy. Also from 28 weeks I have to inject klexane (another blood thinner). I ticked 3 moderate rate flags for pre-eclampsia (over 40, BMI over 35 and over 10 years since last pregnancy). Other moderate indicators were 1st pregnancy, family history or pre-eclampsia and multiple pregnancy. If you ticked two you were to take aspirin.

[Elouera]

Sorry for are going through this. I've just had my 3rd loss last week and also 42. What tests have you had done so far in terms of fertility, egg reserves, uterine shape, semen etc? Have you had a full work up?

After my 2nd loss, I was told by the EPU that they'd do a viability scan in the next pregnancy at 7-8 weeks. Given your history, I'm sure they'd allow the same in your next pregnancy. I needed my GP to refer me, but depends on the area your live.

I would ask for the foetus to be sent for genetic testing, not just histology which only checks for a molar pregnancy. In most cases, they wont do genetics till your 3rd loss, but its worth asking as they are more lenient when women are older.

I agree, the most common cause for MC in your 40's is chromosomal issues. I've started reading up about improving egg quality with Co Q 10/ ubiquinol. There is a book called 'it starts with an egg' which several people have recommended also.

I hope it goes ok today

[MariposaPink]

@Sheera1 - thanks for the information, it's very helpful. I tick so many boxes here! I am over 40, BMI is currently approx 31 (always fluctuates between 27 and 32), up until my MC in November, it had been 13 years since my last (and only successful) pregnancy. I believe my mother may have had pre-eclampsia when she was pregnant with me and there are multiple pregnancies on both my maternal and paternal sides. I feel armed with info. now! Thank you so much! You have made me feel positive about things now.
@Elouera - thanks for the book recommendation. I will take a look. I also read a while ago about CoEnzyme Q10 and bought some from Holland & Barrett along with a whole host of other vits. (Vit D/Magnesium/Pregnacare to name a few) but to be honest I'd done so much researching and googling, all the information was contradictory and I didn't know whether I was coming or going. I feel like I'm just winging it!
@Furbabymum15 - thinking of you today and sending you lots of love.

And sending all of you ladies love too...

[Sheera1]

@marieposaPink oh meant to add is says from 12 weeks for the aspirin. Probably because risk of miscarriage earlier as you say. Happy to have helped. Xxxx

[Sheera1]

There were also high risk flags, but they were things you would know about if you had them like autoimmune disorders etc.

[MariposaPink]

Also, I would just like to have a little rant about my GP....
I called this morning to let her know that I began miscarrying last week and that despite the bleeding, I have hardly any pain/cramps (thank goodness for small mercies). She's made a referral to the EPU for a scan (not that I want to go, where's the point?) but I wanted to ask her about some of my medical history and if they could be factors for my miscarriages. She basically told me that I need to have another miscarriage (3rd) before she can refer me. I understand there is a protocol but her manner was so abrupt! So without mincing my words I told her that I neither have the time (43 years old in December) nor the emotional stability to have another miscarriage just to tick some bullsh*t box in order to be referred!!! To which she told me to have the scan at EPU to determine the status of my pregnancy and to come back to her next week. I think it's pretty obvious the status of this pregnancy....it has failed and I don't think I'll be going back to her next week either.

[Elouera]

@MariposaPink- I know what you mean by the overwhelming info about vitamins, supplements etc. Lack of info regarding doses and actual research evidence about results.

I'm waiting for an appointment at the recurrent MC clinic, but it could take 3+mths. In the interim, I'm going to try ubiquinol, as I haven't found any evidence that it could be harmful and actually might help.

I also started DH on a multivitamin containing lycopene (found naturally in tomato/red vegetables). I'd read that it can improve sperm motility and quality- but again, very little actual research studies to back it up.

After 3mths of taking it, his sperm quality was improved, and the IVF clinic let the eggs fertilise naturally, rather than needed ICIS. It might have been co-incidence, but for less than 20p a day, its worth a try.

[MariposaPink]

@Elouera I think I'm going to load up on the ubiquinol and multivits. for hubby. Need to try something while waiting for appointments. Thanks again :)
@Furbabymum15 - hope you are doing ok

[Sef89]

Hi, I just wondered if you suffered with bad anxiety and stress before you conceived your pregnancies? I've suffered a loss and have been really stressed and worried it'll never happen again, and because I'm worried I'm worried that it will stop it happening as I'm fed up of people saying just relax and it'll happen. Tia

[Ttc42nearly43]

Hi everyone just wondering if anyone has any success stories on this thread am almost 43 had a MMC in march at 6 weeks. My GP has done blood test were told that they were normal whatever that means the nurse said my hormone levels indicate that am still ovulating. Am using clear blue digital ovulation monitor and I get 2 days of peak even using preseed and TTC vitamins.

My GP says I should be content with what I have as I have 2 children already. I'm blessed for this but can't settle that am not done yet. I wish I could settle but the MMC shook everything up for me. It's now nearly a year and am nearly a year older.

Was wondering about any other tests on the NHS and supplements. Can you get a AMH test and DHEA supplements from your GP. My husband won't hear of IVF.

[SamoyedFan123]

@Ttc42nearly43 you won't get an AMH test from your GP - you'll need to get it as part of a fertility check up at a private clinic. The fertility checkups are usually £200-£300 and the AMH test around another £80 depending on your location. As part of the check you'll get a scan to count your follicles, check the condition on your womb, etc. and a semen analysis for your partner so well worth it.
DHEA isn't licensed in the UK, except in the form of testosterone which is licensed only for use in IVF cycles, and can be very helpful in improving egg quality in older ladies. If you want to take DHEA you will need to order it from America - Biovea do it - and take 75mg per day. Bare in mind that it can have unpleasant side effects and needs to be taken for 3 months before it has any effect though. Good luck.