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Conception at 42?

ptw
Hi

My partner and i  have decided we want to try for children.

However she is 42 now, and we are unsure about the chances of a natural conception.

Can anyone give me an idea of the chance per month of conception at this age assuming sex daily? or wether we should look at assisted conception early on?. We had thought of trying naturally for 5 or 6 months then looking to assistance, but are unsure if the wait will damage our chances of an assisted pregnancy

Thanks



21 Responses
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Avatar universal
The best way to find out your odds is to get fertility testing done. At this age 6 months means a lot more than it seems. Don't waste time. Odds decline rapidly every month so every month counts. 6 months has a different meaning to a 20 or 30 year old. Everyone ages differently so testing will give you a better idea of where you are at. However, I don't believe any doctor will tell you to try on your own for any period of time, they will probably recommend starting some kind of treatment right away. It's not just women's fertility that declines either, men's sperm quality also declines with age so men should get tested as well just in case.
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Avatar universal
Stay positive.  I am 43, tried IVF 2 years ago and decided not to try again after a failed attempt.  My husband and decided in July to try again on our own without any stress... Just let it happen if it happens.  The only difference we made was ovulation strips,  which my Ob Dr suggested.  4 months later,  tada.  Pregnant.  We are 22 weeks.  Keep the faith,  don't give up.  
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Avatar universal
I'm 42 and this is my 9th..we did it natural..I don't See it being a problem unless she had had problems in the past..I wish you both the best n good luck :)
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Avatar universal
So?? how did it go? updates now that we're in 2014?
thanks
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Avatar universal
After two miscarriages, I had a healthy baby girl at age 41. I am 42 1/2 now and am hoping to get pregnant again naturally. Given that I was successful at age 41, I am hopeful that I still have some "quality" eggs. The key is to try before you ovulate because sperm can live for up to 5 or 6 days. My fertility endocrinologist (which I never received fertility treatment from) advised me to begin at day 9 or 10 after the onset of your period and to try every other day (since sperm typically live for several days). And, it is better for the sperm to greet the egg than the other way around. So start early in the cycle!
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1679513 tn?1342481238
Oops! I mean 4 years ago.
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1679513 tn?1342481238
Did you ever get pregnant? I noticed this was 3 years ago.
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Avatar universal
Dear "Miss Grim",
These people are trying to find realistic information.  Grim is NOT appropriate.  All the info you included is true, but every woman is different.  Millions of women at 42-43 conceive naturally, so I will be the one to axe Debbie Downer.  
Keep your hopes high, stress levels down, and don't get too worried if you don't conceive right away.  Yvette is RIGHT!  It does take longer, but it is possible.  
Also, I would not 6 months, my OB says to see them right away to consult with him.  The time clock is ticking, and fast.....so don't waste 6 months!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hello, ladies.  This is the first time I'm reading thorugh the blogs and enjoy learning about other women conception experience past 40. I will turn 42 in September this yer (2013) and learn to know that I am pregnant with my 3rd child. I always eat healthy and exercise and never looked my age but never ever thought of becoming pregnant at 42. I'm sure God has a plan for this little "Hoops" concidering that I have a 16yr old son and a 9yr old daughter. Crazy...but moving forward. I concieved naturally and so far I feel good.  I know there are many risks but pray to God for the best.
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Avatar universal
Lady, you are a real downer! Every woman who is 40 and older knows it will take longer and be harder to get pregnant. A lot of women in their early 40's do get pregnant naturally, as it really depends on your family history with fertility. My grandmother got pregnant at 42 and 45 with no problems. Some people that are say 42, have the egg supply and quality of a 32  year old and vise versa. Don't tell anybody to not even bother just because you had no luck, which I am sorry about.
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Avatar universal
if you can swing infertility treatment (IUI or IVF) financially, or like myself, have insurance coverage, then I would seek invention asap...  that's not to say that natural conception is out of the question, but numerous doctors have told me that they believe that 42 is the cut-off age for the viability of a women's remaining eggs...  of course, there are ALWAYS exceptions to such statements, but why risk the wait if you're dealing with the last good year (or one of last good years)...  they told me that after 42, the majority of pregnancies are via donor eggs...  I'm pregnant at 41 via my first IVF (my eggs)...  the injections/procedure were easy, really...  best of luck to you.
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254689 tn?1251180040
I know many women have gotten pregnant in their 40s naturally - my sister, grandmother - even my own re.  I unfortunately (or fortunately as it turned out!) wasn't one of them.  I do agree w/Yvette on on thing:  since your partner suffers from thyroid issues, consult a reproductive endocrinologist sooner than later - like w/in two months if you don't conceive.  Truly that's the one thing I recommend to increase your chances.

I don't believe 42 is too old to conceive naturally but fertility drops significantly after 42 for some reason - sad to say - so the sooner you get some medical advice, the more you'll tip the odds in your favor - good luck in all of your endeavors.
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
Hey there.  Congrats on your decision, and welcome to our forum.  I am 40 and trying to conceive as well.  Our odds are actually fairly good.  Now, not to discount others advice, but actually, the male reproduces sperm as such a rapid rate that typically having sex every day does not diminish chances all that much.  Unless of course you have a low sperm count to begin with.  If things don't happen naturally in a few months, consult an RE.  Although many women conceive naturally in their 40's, it can be a tad bit more challenging for some.  Good luck to you, and I hope to be reading your partner is pregnant in the very near future!!!
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667409 tn?1309152183
I was going to say this, but tbeards beat me to the punch...lol. You're actually decreasing your chances of natural conception having sex daily. Daily sex lowers the sperm count. In fact, my doctor recommended not have sex for 3 or 4 days prior to ovulation time. And, although Yvette had a lot of informative information, I think it was a bit bleaker, perhaps, than she meant it to be. Everyone's opinion is, of course, based on their own experiences. But, I am almost 41, and my DH and I decided to start trying for a baby in October. We used ovulation predictor kits, which made it soooo much easier...I discovered I actually ovulated earlier in the month than I thought. Anyway...we got pregnant in November. I don't expect that a *lot would change in a year, so there's no reason, at this point, to believe that you and your partner can't conceive naturally. Good luck and happy trying!
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Avatar universal
I would recommend first of all to limit the intimacy to every other day. Having sex everyday can diminish your reserves so every other day will keep your levels up. Secondly, I would recommend buying ovulation predictor kits (opk) for one months' usage. Not using only for the week she thinks she may be ovulating but everyday starting with day 1 and through the whole cycle to see what the cycle looks like. The cost adds up, I think about $12 per 7 day kit, but it is a good way to see what the cycle looks like if they work for her. I had a hard time identifying when I was ovulating and so I ended up doing the 30 day "test" and sure enough, the tests didn't work for me because I basically don't ovulate due to PCOS. In the meantime, like the other ppl, set up an appointment with an RE to get bloodwork done as sometimes it can take awhile to get in. You don't have to start treatments right away but at least you can get your consultation done and some insurance covers the doctor consultation.

Good luck! I know a lot of women in their 40s who have gotten pregnant with and without fertility treatments.
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Avatar universal
I agree with PamelaBee.  Everyone women and their bodies are different.  My sister in law got pregnant with my nephew and 42 and my niece at 44 both naturally, so it does happen, maybe not as often as if you were in your 20's or 30's, but it can.  

Like PamelaBee stated, it does become the luck of the draw with your eggs.  It certainly wouldn't hurt to start tracking your ovulation and timing intercourse along with it, while consulting a good RE.

Most important, at least I think, is that you try to keep as positive attitude as it may be a bumpy ride, and this is a great forum for that.

I do so wish you the best :)
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480331 tn?1310403529
I beat the odds, and many women do.  I became pregnant at 42 naturally and as I mentioned to you earlier I am currently pregnant at 45 with #2, both the good ole fashioned way.  All women are different, although it is much more challenging to get pregnant naturally at 42, don't be frightened by the statistics, they are merely that.  Not every women over 40 will miscarry...it really just is the roll of the dice. I'm sure after you consult with your doctor, you and your partner will do what's best for you.  Good luck again!  Pam
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178698 tn?1228774338
By the way.....I wouldn't even bother to try to conceive naturally at this point. I only say this as time is not on your side.   Run to the nearest infertility specialist.  
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178698 tn?1228774338
Hello...I am now 42 and will be 43 in June.  I am writing you based on my personal experience and knowledge.  

In general you seek the help of an infertility specialist if you do not conceive on your within 6 months if you are over 35.  

Now the bad news...even if your partner still has regular cycles you are going to find out that it will be difficult to get pregnant at her age.  

"Roughly two thirds of women over 40 have fertility problems. Once you pass 40, time is pitiless. You have about a five-per-cent chance of getting pregnant in any single menstrual cycle, according to Sherman Silber, a leading fertility specialist and author of four bestselling fertility books, including How to Get Pregnant. At 40 your chance of conceiving within a year is about 40 to 50 per cent, compared to a woman in her mid-30s, who has a 75-per-cent chance. By age 43, a woman's chance of pregnancy plummets to one or two per cent. "

And it only gets worse...."Miscarriage rates begin to skyrocket in your 40s as well. From age 40 to 44, the rate of miscarriage is 34 per cent, and it rises to 53 per cent for women 45 and older (compared to 10 per cent at age 20 and 12 per cent at age 30). After age 40, the risk of pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure and diabetes is twice as high as it is for a woman in her 20s. The odds of genetic problems also jump as you get older: at 40, your chance of having a child with Down's syndrome is one in 110; at 45 it's one in 30."

It's the sad and ugly truth.    When I was 40 I tried to get pregnant and each time I did get pregnant it ended in miscarriage (5 times).  I am sure it is due to my eggs being so old.   I did get pregnant, however, my DH and I used donor eggs.  

Here is the link for the information I referenced:  http://www.babycentre.co.uk/preconception/activelytrying/forties/

Now here is the good news.....it is possible and many women do beat these odds.   But in general it is far and few between.  And since she's already 42, it's grim.      Good luck and I hope this is helpful.  

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Avatar universal
ptw
Hi Pam

Thanks for responding, she has a thyroid problem, but its controlled with thyroxine tablets daily, other than that no med conditions. The frequency of intimacy, well its generally daily except for during menstruation, so we thought we would just carry on that way, but with no pill of course.  

Ill suggest getting hormone levels checked etc though to give us a clearer view of our best options

Thanks again
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480331 tn?1310403529
Hello and welcome to the forum.  Unless you or your partner has had a previous problem conceiving or a medical issue that would hinder your chances, I don't see why she couldn't conceive naturally.  Yes, she is 42, which is considered advanced maternal age, but thousands of women have had healthy babies in their 40's (including me).  Excuse me if I chuckle at your next question, of having sex daily every month!  Wow!  Does your partner know about this?  : )  Sorry, it's very possible, but I don't know many women that would have the energy.  Obviously the more times you have sex around your partners ovulation time, the better your chances of becoming pregnant, but it is not necessary to have sex everyday in a month to increase your chances. I would definitely start TTC (trying to conceive), naturally over the course of a few months, if nothing, then you can always ask your OB what your options are regarding fertility.  Or contact your OB right away, they can offer several tests to check hormone levels, egg quantity, etc in your partner and give you a better indication if you even need fertilty assistance.  Best of luck to you!
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