Pregnancy at 44 ?

[o_och]

I am a 44 yr old woman. I had a daughter when I was 41 years old.  At 43 I had two miscarriages. I'm still trying for a sibling for my daughter. I would like to hear from others who have had successful pregnancies (normal pregnancies, w/o donor eggs) at age 44 and above. Have you heard of any cases of women this age that used Clomid and were then successful?

Thanks,
Olivia

[projectbaby]

I just want to say Good Luck to you and I am sooo happy that you had a baby at 41!!!  I wish I could answer your question but I don't have any info. for you....Did you go to a fertility specilaist for your first one????

[jen_KE]

I have absolutely heard of it!  My cousin just had her 5th baby at age 44 and all was normal and fine. They didn't even need to moniter her closely as "high risk" or anything. Also, (I know, this is so dumb, but I'm a reality show addict) on Project Runway, Laura is about your age and having her 6th child with a 62 year old man!! :)
GOOD LUCK!!

[SNORCHY]

I am 43 and trying to have a baby too! I had a m/c in Feb and a blighted ovum followed by a d&c in Sept. I am going to get some testing done to see where my fertility stands. There are a women who have successful pregnancies over 40 so I think we both should hang in there and keep trying! Good luck and keep us posted!

[o_och]

Hi everyone.  Thanks for the words of encouragement!  We did go to two IVF places and had all the tests. The basic answer was, there isn't anything specifically wrong, just likely theres a diminished egg reserve and lower egg quality.  One other thing - on my first pregnancy, it happened on the first try, immediately in the first month we tried. My husband and I were so surprised how quickly and easily it happened.  I'm wondering if that was just a fluke, or if  it could mean I may have a little better chance than what they show in the charts that list probabality of conception at various ages.  As I recall, around age 40 there is only around a 10% chance of success and at age 44 it dropped well below that (to around 1% to 3%) according to the study referenced by the IVF clinc. Also,  I'm not sure if its worth taking the clomid or not, so I'd love to hear of any cases in my age group where clomid was taken.

Thanks again,
Olivia

[SNORCHY]

I think there is an u/s that can lookk at your eggs & see how many there are as well as the quality of them. Check to see if your fertility clinic does this or has info on this procedure. I'm hoping to get one done too!

[MelzieWelzie]

My grandmother had twins when she was 44--back in the day before there was medical intervention or prenatal vitamins.  

I'm approaching 43 quickly and I'd like to think that I can still have a healthy pg.  I have a 2 yr. old ds that I was pg with on our 2nd try.  Unfortunately, I have not been quite as lucky since then.  I seem to get pg very easily, but have had 2 m/c's in the past 5 months.  

My Dr. has been urging me to just continue trying and not to worry about going through all the testing that ultimately may not give me any answers.  His feeling is that at my/our age it's just a numbers game to get to the healthy one.  

Keep us posted how things go for you and if the clomid helps should you decide to go that route.  Good Luck!

[jen_KE]

Well, I don't know of anyone your age who took Clomid, but it does make you ovulate with  more mature eggs, so why wouldn't it have the same effect on a person of any age??

[projectbaby]

I think you should try the Clomid...why not??? at least for 3 cycles and no more.... but hopefully the first clomid cycle will work for you...I agree with Jen-KE.... I used clomid and I made 3-4 mature eggs each cycle!!!  Good Luck

[mammasita]

im so glad to hear you are out htere! I thought I was the oldest one on this forum! Im 39 and pregnant with my first
(14 weeks) We will definately try again but I will be 41 by then and Im confident it will be fine! Good luck ot all of you over 40!! I will be one of you soon!!

[myproblem]

My mom (accidentally) got pg at 43, had a m/c, and got pg (accidentally again) 2 mos. later. Two months after turning 44 she had a healthy baby boy.

[Pamelaed33]

I always said that if I didn't have a child betime I was forty that I wouldn't have one.  I'll be 35 in Feb and have had 5 miscarriges the latest one this year.  I have no living chidren but reading ya'lls story gives me hope that if I am not preg. at forty than I still have a chance.  Good luck to all.

[emma10]

I am 43 years old (turning 44 in 2 months, yikes) and almost 13 weeks pregnant (will be 44 and 5 mos. when born).  

We did have 2 m/cs earlier this year (blighted) which is to be expected. I don't have problems getting pregnant, just staying pregnant.  Doc says egg supply. Said keep trying.  I didn't know the rate was that low (10%) though.

I just got my ratios back from NT/first trimester screening and went from a 1:22 risk of defects to a 1:395 risk. The doctor really thought the baby looked great (nuchally speaking) but the number just won't go that far down because, well, we're old!! We are settling with that factor and giving up on amnio--after all when I had my first ones, that was actually my risk factor back then and I was carefree.   I have 2 kids from when I was 33 and 35 (I didn't think I was a spring chicken back then, now I think I was a babe in the woods!) My husband (2nd, no kids yet) is thrilled and I am sure we (I) will be better parents than first time (that is, more $, more time, more patience, more experience, better marriage). Then again, I sure am TIRED and CRABBY.  I think it can be done---hope it can. It is awful hard to lose the babies though... I still have my fingers crossed and am VERY nervous. I am the most paranoid patient my doctor has ever seen. But she is very indulgent with me. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!!

[Cheryl23]

My aunt had a child at 43 without the use of any medications...her son is now a happy, healthy 10 year old.

I think if it's meant to be it will be. Being a teacher of Natural Health, it is my own opinion that if your body is able to handle it, it will happen. If not, maybe there's a reason why it's not happening.

Either way, I wish you the BEST of luck! I certainly hope your child gets the sibling you so desire! :)

[ark730]

Im 41 and pregnant with my first child. I had a m/c in feb and am now 22 wks! Believe me when I tell you, the scarriest thing was waiting for the amnio to come back. I would love to have a sibling for my daughter but I have had several problems with my health that I just dont know if it would be in my best interest. I too thought I was the oldest one on here  :)

[over40club]

As you have seen just on this site there are many of us over 40 and pregnant. I was 41 with my 2nd child and now I'm 43 with my 3rd. I'll turn 44 in Mar. I'm due in Feb. Mine were both naturally conceived. I developed Pe with my 2nd at 41 and I'm being closely monitered with BP meds now during this pregnancy. The miscarriage rate I understand is very high for over 40. Good luck and keep the faith. God had blessed me when I thought there would not be another baby so late in life and now I'll have 3 :)

[Quack2]

I'm 44 using clomid for the first time.  Had our 1st child at 41.  Fell pregnant naturally and everything went normal.  When our baby was born he weighed 9lb 1oz.  Have also been through the blighted ovum's at least 4 times.  Did not need an amnio done because of our figures.
Ours is a great story but my only wish is for two children as I'm an only child myself.  In fact at this point in time on my mothers side there is a history of only childs going back to my great grand mother.  I'd like to know the 5th generation broke the cycle!  Good luck and pray for all those women who are trying to make their families complete with these little joys!

[Peaglenut]

Phew! I feel better for reading these. I'm 44, conceived naturally but miscarried at twelve weeks but going to try again. I spend hours researching the internet, get a bit fretful and then find some really positive people like yourselves and feel so much better. So thats it!  I'm not reading any more tonight, everything is going to be just fine.
My Nan had twins in her forties so I'm hoping it's in the genes.
  Wishing us all luck X
  

[Lady44]

I am 43 going 44 this november. urgh!! but I really want to have another child ; I have one lovely wonderful boy now aged 8 year old. I regret to have wainted for so long to get my second one. In fact I have trauma delivering my son that I was also very scared getting pregnant when my son was 2-3 years old. I have seen a great gynae about two years back, but after doing a check up he said I am OK excpet for my fallopian tube was blocked on one side. He did a hydrotubation)??? and put me on a two cycles of clomid. But it doesn't work. Now, I tried not to think about it but as time flies I think my window of opportunity is closing!!!

At the same time I am unsure if it is possible to get pregnant with my thyroid problem occuring again ( I had one nodul removed in 1999).

Do you think I should continue trying or forget about it. I feel sooooo unsettled, now my son is 8 and he looked so lonely without another sibling and I really want another child.

[princess63]

I just found out I was pg.  I am 44, and going to be 45 next month.  This will be my 4th child, and my youngest is 9.  I am really scared, husband is upset, and really wants me to get an abortion. I dont believe in them, and refuse.  My concerns are a downs baby, and  I am embarrassed about my age. I work with (it seems) like everyone is younger than me.  I have not yet been to the dr.s, i dont know how far i am along, but i feel movment.  It really made me feel good reading all of this, like i am not so weird and soo old!     I took clomid when i was 25, had to use it 3 times, but finally got pg. with a girl.  My sister used it also, but only took 1 time to work.  The next two times just happened on their own, and this being the 4th time was natural also.  I was not fertile at all in my younger years, just the opposite, more fertile now, so backwards.  Anyways i just had to get this off my chest, as of right now cannot tell anyone, my husband wants to wait, of course i agree, i could loose the baby.    I do have thyroid disease since i was 26, it runs in our family.  I dont want to, that would be sad.  I just thought having a baby at this age is way out there, but now i see it is really not!!  Thank you all for that.  Good luck to all!

[ddm7903]

I'm 44, will be 45 in a few weeks.  I conceived naturally...by complete surprise...and am now just over 13 weeks.  We adopted a baby in February--so I'll have two in diapers.  I'm so worried about being able to handle this (I work full time).  But am thrilled that we are going to have one more.  I'm waiting on CVS test results.  Felt it was important at my age because I've been reminded constantly that my eggs are old!  But my doctor said she LOVES these kinds of stories of women who technically shouldn't get pregnant getting pregnant!  So, it CAN happen!  

[44yrsyoung]

Wow, I am so glad I found this site.  I just turned 44 and am trying for my 4th child.  Had my FSH and Estradiol checked and all looks good.  Hubby and I have been trying for a few months but no luck.  All sites are so negative about "old eggs", but my Dr. says just keep trying.  Not planning to use clomid or other meds.  Good luck to everyone out there!

[Carolina1965]

We are 43 and my boyfriend is 46 and we are looking for our first child. We become foster parents 8 month ago of Rosibel a 17 years old girl and also grand parents for her son of 20 month today. She  is pregnant again... I hope to be pregnat soon also.
Wishining you luck!!!

[Pearl99]

I'm 45 (!) , going to have my 4th in 5 weeks (Xmas baby)by which time I'll be 46 (barely).  I had my 3rd in May 07 when I was a youthful 44. OMG, sounds very strange. It is kind of embarassing in that I didn't mean to have another one (last one yes was planned) and I didn't want to be an 'old' mother. My others are 13 and 11 Y.O. btw. I am hoping I'll still have enough energy to do kindergarten etc all over again.

I suppose I'm good news to the over40 crowd though. Had 2 m/cs before #3 at age 43 when we first started trying, but that baby #3 is perfect. Supposedly, from tests, this #4 is too (although we just did NT and blood and 18 wk and 28 wk u/s--I've never had amnio). My odds are now at 1:1500 for abnormality which is like a late 20 year old's so I can't fret too much. Pregnancy is harder; birth is easier at our age (if you have previous babies) so it's kind of a trade-off.

The babies are great when they arrive but it is a worrisome thing til then for us. I have a great dr who treats me like normal, low-risk since as she puts it, with 3 great babies, 3 uncomplicated deliveries, I am a thoroughly vetted as a good birther--unlike a lot of the first pregnancies that you don't know what will be the case. Best of luck trying... everyone... my only commonality in both is that they were both conceived when we were not trying (on vacation).

[alli44]

have you had any problems spotting in between your cycles or have your cylcles always been regular as you have gotten older?  Anyone else have any info to add to this question...please answer.