Trying to get pregnant at 37

[paulina38]

To some up
I was pregnant at 21 and had an abortion (please do not drill me for it,I have had to live it).

I am now 37 and married and want to start a family. I am really petite and 5ft 2in, we have been trying for 4 months and both currently taking pregnacare (crushing the tablets) as I can't swallow tablets.

Think I wanted to know if anyone has become pregnant successfully or how long should we leave it till need medical advice?

As each moth is passing by and seeing the negative result is really becoming stressful.

Hey @paulina38 👋🏻 I’m also 37 and currently pregnant! We started trying in October and I’m 11 weeks now. It took 7 months (including 1 miscarriage) in all - 2 months to conceive first time and then 5 months after the miscarriage.

As you’re over 35 if you haven’t conceived within 6 months, you can go to the GP and start investigations. I wouldn’t worry though, I’m sure it’ll happen soon for you lovey! Have you heard of SMEP? Give it a google if not, it’s a really good way to maximise your chances every month ❤️

Hi OP, it is definitely possible

We stopped using birth control in September and conceived in November (a month before my 37th birthday) so I'm now 32+ weeks and due in Aug. I've had no age related issues during the pregnancy, low risk from screening tests for downs etc and the midwife has never batted an eyelid.

The only thing we used was conceive plus lube. No idea if it helped or just a coincidence but could be worth a try. Good luck.

Hi, I'm 4'11 and 27 weeks with my first. I fell pregnant the day after my 38th birthday having only been trying for around 5 months so it is definitely possible!! Good luck!!

Dear OP, I'm not the same as you as I'm only 31, but it took me and DH over 18m to conceive (and we'd been having unprotected sex for a bit before that but not actively "trying"). The thing that made it finally happen for me (I think) was reaching a healthy weight - I was only slightly underweight on the bmi scale and worked so hard to gain, then when I finally tipped over to the normal bmi category we conceived immediately. I just thought I'd mention it as you said you're very petite.
Obviously get real medical advice as well but that's my story FWIW :)
Ps and I'm really sympathetic about the disappointment each month. It got pretty saddening after a year for us. I hope you conceive soon, good luck!

Ps and I don't think there's any scientific evidence to say that a previous abortion makes it harder for you to conceive later in life, so don't think of it any more 💙

I'm 36 and currently pregnant with my first after 15 months of trying. Definitely see the doctor after 6 months as the process of getting any investigative tests done is painfully slow. My tests didn't show any issues and after 15 months it just happened much to my surprise, I was fully expecting to need IVF!

I'm sorry you're having trouble... But if you want how, it definitely can happen! I'm 37 and got pregnant after 2 months of trying. Have you thought about having a private fertility check if you're worried? DH and I planned to get one if we didn't have any luck after 6 months as it's much quicker than the NHS.

The current advice for over 35 years old is to start investigations after 6 months (but even for younger women, not getting pregnant in 6 months is not out of the ordinary).

We were referred after 6 months when I was just turning 35. Got seen immediately the month later Sept 18)... then had 6 cycles of Clomid/letrozole which took us to May/June 19. Referred for IVF. Started this in the July. Had a freeze all cycle followed by a frozen transfer at the next available opportunity. Am now delighted to be 30 weeks pregnant and EDD will be approx 2 years since referral.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, don’t lose hope, it is still early days and you may well conceive naturally. But there is no harm in starting the process of investigation and treatment if you choose that path. I really pushed forward with treatment and we didn’t have any unavoidable delays along the way. It will still have taken 2 years of treatment. Depending on your area, private may be no quicker than NHS (we were NHS).

How long have you actually been trying?
37 is still relatively young to be having a baby.

I had my little boy at age 39 (conceived after 5 cycles), I'm now 42 and 7wks pregnant with number 2. This time did take 18mths so I'm keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome as this is really our last chance.

I'm 37 and 35 weeks pregnant. It took a few months of trying. You'll be fine, good luck!

It took me 9 months to conceive at 32. Nothing was wrong, it can just take a while. By the by, I was the second youngest in my antenatal class - everyone else was 36+.

I would definitely get all the tests you can though, if only for peace of mind.

We started trying when I was 34 and on honeymoon. Nothing... so after a year due to my age and not wanting to wait we went to a private fertility clinic, first time IUI resulted in our first, the second baby came along naturally at age 39. When you say you're petite, if your BMI is low it would be worth getting that up to 'average'. Get lots of ovulation predictor tests and have a lot of lockdown fun 🤞

Hi all

New to the forum! I’m 37 and currently 9+2 weeks (although measured 5 plus weeks at an early scan over a week ago which was slightly worrying!) into my first pregnancy which happened by accident!

I’ve had friends all around my age and some even a few years younger (still in their 30’s) that have had to wait months and months to conceive, but for some it happened pretty soon after trying. I think It is all down to your body and make up ultimately, though age is taken as a factor it’s not as drastic as it is made out to be in articles and newspapers etc. I always thought I would have problems conceiving because of all the negative press on women aged 35+ (Termed “geriatric” if you are over 35) trying to conceive. I have learnt that your age is a factor but not necessarily the defining factor for all.

Good luck OP I’m sure you will be fine! Fingers crossed!

4 months isn't really a long time of trying- as frustrating as that sounds!

I'd recommend pre-seed lube, co q10 supplements, fish oil and reading It Starts With The Egg by Rebecca someone (forgot her last name).

When you get pregnant, cut down massively on caffeine and take 150mg if aspirin daily (check with your doc etc. If need be).

Another bit of advice: have sex x3 a week and take period tracking apps with a pinch of salt. It took me ages to conceive dd because I was only having sex around my fertile window - which turned out, wasn't actually my fertile window at all

I've actually found the quickest way to get pregnant is to plan a nice holiday, some ambitious building work or buy some nice wine. Something that would definitely be ruined if you got knocked up

@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings that's true about having something nice planned

We were on holiday in November when we conceived: drinking and eating far too much, not tracking, and looking forward to a busy nd sociable Xmas and New Year before starting to try properly in January.

@TerribleImagination

Hey *@paulina38* 👋🏻 I’m also 37 and currently pregnant! We started trying in October and I’m 11 weeks now. It took 7 months (including 1 miscarriage) in all - 2 months to conceive first time and then 5 months after the miscarriage.

As you’re over 35 if you haven’t conceived within 6 months, you can go to the GP and start investigations. I wouldn’t worry though, I’m sure it’ll happen soon for you lovey! Have you heard of SMEP? Give it a google if not, it’s a really good way to maximise your chances every month ❤️

Thank you so much ❤️❤️❤️

@AintOverUntilTheCatLadySings 🤣

@paulina38 I recommend Expecting Better by Emily Oster for some sensible advice on trying to conceive and being pregnant! I bought it on eBay for £6 after it was recommended on a thread on MN. She’s summarised loads of studies/data and also talks through her own pregnancy. It’s not as simple as you turn 35 and your fertility ends.

I’m 35 and 7+4 at the mo. I conceived the first and second cycles we tries but unfortunately had early losses both times. So this was my third cycle of trying. As others said 4 months isn’t that long to have been trying at any age. I think there’s a popular myth that pregnancy is an easy journey. The moment you actually start trying you start to wonder how anyone ever actually has a baby!

Good luck!

I'm 40 and 4 months pregnant with my first. It took 9 months including 2 miscarriages to get a viable pregnancy. I got pregnant first try twice but they sadly ended in miscarriages, then 5 months of trying for this one. Each month of those b5 months felt so hard and disappointing when I got a negative result.

My second miscarriage was last August and I had a D&C, which is the same procedure they carry out for an abortion, so please don't worry the procedure can impact on your fertility. After 2 miscarriages I was referred for tests, which all came back clear and I was told it was just bad luck and keep trying.

Oh and I second the advice above the read It Starts With the Egg. I took metafolate and ubiquitol (co-q10) the month before I got pregnant this time. Don't know if it helped but it didn't hurt!

OP use the Clearblue digital monitor, it’s great. I conceived in late 30s and early 40s with it

Are you using ovulation sticks? There's only a small window where your chance of getting pregnant is higher. I used the digital clear blue ones and got pregnant in my first month with my 2nd and 3rd.
I didnt use then with my 1st and it took 6 months! I got pregnant with my first at 35, and I'm 39 now currently pregnant with the 3rd.