Am I too old?

[Winnie2001]

I'm 45 years old and have been wanting to get pregnant. We have not been using any birth control for about 10 months and just letting nature take it's course. I have not been tracking ovulation and we have not been actively trying to get pregnant, but not preventing either. I really would like to get pregnant - but am I too old?? I'm afraid I am!  He's younger than me, I am healthy, within my weight limits and full of energy. But I think age is a big negative against me getting pregnant naturally. What have other people experienced?

[cagirly]

One more thing I forgot to mention was that in the case of a close friend of mine, sometimes it has nothing to do with you being infertile.  My friend was 32 and her husband 33 and they had been trying for almost a year with no luck.  She had previously been pregnant in her early 20's so she decided to look into his reproductive health and upon a medical examination found out her husband had a low sperm count. Her story has a happy ending and they eventually did conceive but it's always good to have all bases covered so it gives you more peace of mind.

[ivf37]

Whatever you do, try to relax.  Easier said... Try acupuncture and reflexology too!  All the best.

[babywish_]

Congrats on being pregnant - That is awesome news!!  As my profile says, I'm trying to be hopeful...thanks for the prayers;  we  need all the help we can get!  
And Winnie2001, I'm sending baby wishes to you...maybe we can join kdubb soon in the Mommy to be category :)

[Winnie2001]

You have all given great advise, suggestions and stories that lift my spirits about it all. All of the women in my family (mother, grandmothers, great grandmothers) had their famlies in their 20s (if not sooner). Guess it's today's world where women have a greater inclination to put off a family - and certainly I'm one of them!  It's been difficult lately because, with the exception of one of my friends, they've all become pregnant in the last year and a half or so. I'm happy for them, but envious, I must admitt.  New moms tend to develop friendships with new moms and I'm hoping I don't distance myself from my friends cuz it would be a reminder of how I delayed child bearing until I couldn't... Lots going through my head these days.    

[kdubb274]

@baby wish I was told the same thing. I had unexplained infertility. I'm 36 and hubby 41. Then out if the blue I got preggers. My hubby says since baby was conceive on VDay. He bought me 2 dozens of white roses. He says that's what did it. Who knows but we r 20 wks preggers. I'm praying for you all b\c I've been there. Don't give up hope.

[babywish_]

I sure hope not! I'm only a few years younger than you and my husband is older than I am and we've been trying to conceive for over 2 years now.  It's not working naturally for us, so we've been seeing a fertility specialist.  It might be a good idea for you to see one,  just to get everything checked out, and make sure there is nothing stopping you from becoming pregnant.  I fall into the category of "unexplained infertility" so we are going the IVF route, using frozen embryos or possibly an egg donor.  If you prefer to go the natural route, I would definitely get a fertility monitor or buy the digital test sticks so you can narrow down your ovulation time. They're a great help! Best of luck to you!!

[olderMom38]

I am 8 wks tom and i just turned 39. My husband is 45. We thought we were too old too. I had my first when i was 32, with someone else. I "highly" suggest spending $12 and buying an ovulation predictor test. It works!! We used it the mo b4 we got pregnant. We decided to wait until after the wedding to start trying, but i had counted the wrong amount of days..thought it was the 19th day to have sex. When i realized that it was 15 days we remembered we had had intercourse that day. The test works!!! I worry all the time about having a m/c because of my age. We're just taking one day at a time. Good luck!!

[adgal]

An RE is a reproductive endrocronoligst (pretty sure I got the spelling wrong..lol).  A fertility specialist basically.  For those of us over 35, it is recommended we see one after 6 months of trying to conceive unsuccessfully.

Wanted to let you know that MedHelp also has great trackers that I have used very successfully.  Let me know if you need any help with them.  I am currently using the ovulation tracker as I attempt to have no. 2.  Another thought for you is to try using Ovulation Predictor Kits.  I love them!  Good luck.

[ChristineMP]

I think the previous posters have given you a lot of great info. I would look closely at the reproductive history of your female relatives (especially your maternal side) if you can because it is often a good indicator. I am 41 and got pregnant right away (within weeks of stopping my oral contraceptive) and am now 19 weeks pregnant. In my family history, both of my grandmothers had their youngest children while in their 40's (with no help...in fact, one of them was using a diaphragm when my uncle was conceived) and my great-grandmothers also had children in their 40's

I've also heard of women in their early 30's who have FSH (that is a blood test that tells a doctor the state of your egg supply) so high their chances of conceiving naturally are virtually zero :(

So...it varies so much from woman to woman that the only way to tell is to see a reproductive specialist and have both you (and your husband) tested. From there, you can review your options.

Best wishes for you and your family!

[Winnie2001]

Thanks for your input, both of you. It gives me some hope that I might be able to conceive when I hear that women my age do get pregnant. Seems ironic to me that I'd find someone I actually WANT to be the father of my child at such a late age. I just hope it's not too late!  I did download an app to track my period , temp, etc today. I'm hopful that will help target fertile days.  I do have a question though - what is an RE?  I am thinking of scheduling an appointment with my PCP (primary care doctor) to "check things out".  

[cagirly]

My cousin got pregnant at 43 and 45. So, no you're not too old.  Take a look at your family history and see what the age range is for child birth. Also, if you have an iPhone or iPad download a free app called the period tracker lite. It tracks your period, moods ovulation and fertile days. It also keeps track of when you had sex so you have an idea of your fertility cycle.

[adgal]

Hi there and welcome.  The only way to really answer your question is to say that for some, 45 is too old, and for others it's not. Fertility does begin to decline after 35.  Some women begin to have trouble, others don't.  I had my son at almost 41, but prior to that miscarried several times.  I know other women here (PamelaBee, my co-cl is a great example) who conceived naturally and had a trouble free pregnancy at 45.  Statistically though, it may be more challenging for you.  I would recommend seeing an RE sooner rather then later if this is something you really want.  They can run a few tests, and also discuss options with you.  The wonderful thing is that if you really want a child, there are a huge range of options available, and it can be done.  There is also every possibility you will be one that does conceive naturally and carry at 45.  Whatever you decide, i wish you all the best.