Pregnant in your 40s? A request for stories of hope

[SpanishBump]

Hi, I'm looking for some happy-ending stories about women getting - and staying - pregnant in their 40s (I know all about the low probability and high risks). I myself, had a healthy baby at 42, against all the odds. I got my period back when my son was 11 months old, despite still breastfeeding, and hoped to get pregnant again when I was 43; nothing. I'm now 44, and last week discovered to my amazement that I was 7 weeks' preganant. Almost as soon as I found out, I had a miscarriage, as was to be expected, going by statistics. But of course, this has buoyed up my hopes again, and I've realised I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel. I thought it might help to hear about the rare people who have had healthy babies in their mid-40s. As I say, I know the odds are low - but I was told they were zilch at 40, so I'd rather keep an open mind. Thanks x

I had a baby at very nearly 46, after 3 miscarriages between 40 and 43. Conceived naturally within one month of starting TTC.

I know plenty of women who’ve had babies in their early forties. Fewer once you get in to mid forties, but I’m sure that’s partly down to fewer women of that age trying.

My Aunty conceived her last baby naturally at 46 (he’s a strapping young man now) and my grandmother had her last baby at 44 (after having my dad at 42). More recently, I’ve got a friend who just naturally conceived and had her fourth child at 43, no complications.

I'm 44 and 31+3 today. First baby (5 previous losses). NIPT and scans so far have been perfect though it was just discovered he is measuring big and I have a little too much amniotic fluid. They suspect gestational diabetes has kicked in (test at 24 weeks was ok), baby seems fine. It has been a very anxious time, not going to lie...but here I am. Best of luck!!xx

Thanks so much, everyone - and congratulations! This is really inspiring, and I'm really grateful you took the time to write x

I know someone who had her first at 45, so must have been 47 when she had her second. Having said that, I don't know if she had any "help."

I had an unplanned pregnancy at 42, was 43 when I had DC.

Both my maternal great-grandmothers had babies at 48. I reckon I might have been able to as well. I had a (to be fair, half-hearted) period a month ago and I am 56.

I am 41 and pregnant with first baby, had a miscarriage last year but all well with this one so far :)
Saw my hairdresser yesterday and we talked about this very topic! She had her last child at 42 and her sister had a baby at 49!! So it is possible, maybe just harder work to conceive and higher risk but if you keep yourself healthy anything is possible. :)

Continued thanks. These stories are helping me through a sad time x

I’m currently on call for one of my best friends who is about to give birth, and wants me to be there to help her, at 45. It’s her 3rd baby - a little bit of a surprise - but she’s had a text book pregnancy and is planning a home birth 😊

I conceived at 44+5 unintentionally after losing an ovary & tube, plus assorted other problems.

DS born pink & healthy, full term, when I was 45+2, natural birth, 8lb exactly. He's 13 next month, happy and all good.

Good luck OP

I had my third baby at 45, 2 months shy of being 46 so conceived at 45. It was an absolute shock because we wasn’t ttc. Had a good pregnancy and delivery. It can happen. Good luck!

I'm 38 and have had 4 miscarriages, Im worried my age is against me but reading these stories have helped ttc 1st dc💚

I’m so sorry for your losses, Babyghirl. I didn’t have miscarriages (until recently), but did find it very hard to conceive. I’m sure the book ‘It Starts with the Egg’ helped me get my DS. Forgive me if you’ve already had this advice.

If you have had 4 mcs (or even 3) you can be referred to a recurrent mc clinic (if in England anyway). I was (St Mary's in London) and had a good outcome. My DS born six weeks before my 46th birthday.

@theDudesmummy

If you have had 4 mcs (or even 3) you can be referred to a recurrent mc clinic (if in England anyway). I was (St Mary's in London) and had a good outcome. My DS born six weeks before my 46th birthday.

Wow, that's incredible, theDudesmummy! Do you mind if I ask what the problem was (if you meant it was you who had previously had miscarriages)?

It was me, and they never got completely to the bottom of the cause. Interestingly research shows that just being under the care of the miscarriage clinic improves outcomes, even when no specific cause is found. I did use progesterone pessary in the 4th pregnancy, and aspirin. I have no idea if that made the difference.