Getting pregnant during perimenopause at age 45

I am 45 and 12 weeks pregnant. What I think really helped me was I started juicing over the summer and walking more. I think I jump started my health and made it easier for me to finally get pregnant again. Don't give up. The statistics seem hopeless, but you just never know what can happen.

 

Hello Ladies, I am so happy to have found this thread/site.  I am 45 and have been ttc my first for almost 3 years.  I was on the bc pill for years, waiting for the right man, who I finally found!  He has two adopted children from his first marriage, when his wife couldn't get pregnant either!  (The kids are older now and all is well with our blended family)  I was diagnosed with Diminished Ovarian Reserve as soon as we started to try, with fsh in low 20s.  I was turned away from a fertility clinic because they will only work with women with fsh lower than 20.  We tried acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine, working with a naturopath to balance me with supplements and progesterone, fixing up my diet, using fertility monitor, etc.  (I have all of the toys/implements for TTC ;)    During this process my cycle still deteriorated to the point where I have either 60 day cycles, 16 day cycles, endless spotting, about a quarter of the time a "normal" cycle with a bbt temperature shift showing ovulation.  Not once did I get a BFP.  We also have a problem (sorry if TMI) where my partner can't always "finish", so we rarely have had our timing right even when I do ovulate.

Now we are trying a different fertililty clinic and am being told (nothing new!) that I have almost no chance of conceiving with my own eggs.  My fsh is about the same, ranging from 19-29.  The doctor is pushing donor eggs.  He said I could try one time with medicated IUI if that's what it will take to show me that I'm too old to get pregnant with my own eggs.  So, we are trying.  I forced a period with progesterone cream after not having one for two months.  On day 2 of my cycle ultrasound showed 4 antral follicles, which I've found is "low" but not "poor".  The follicles were enlarged already by day 2, with the largest at 9mm.  Apparently this is common in perimenopause because your body tries to start ripening eggs during the previous cycle.  We started Gonal F injections, 300ml, then increased to 375ml (a high dose).  By day 7 I had three follicles, two around 11-12mm and one at 6mm.  Then they stopped growing.  Now, on day 16 I am heavily spotting.  The doctor said there is no way this is a period because I am on day 17 and my follicles are still there.  Me and my partner think its a real period or at least can't believe I would still be able to implant even if my follicles finally grew and we got to the actual IUI.  I don't understand why I often seem to get right to the point of ovulating and then start spotting/period a few days later.  I think my body can't seem to ripen the eggs?  I also found out during the preparation for starting IUI that I'm marginally hypothyroid, so I started medication for that 6 weeks ago and I can't believe how much more energy I have.  Hasn't improved my cycle, though.  

If anyone can shed some light on my symptoms and how to navigate through them to continue our pursuit, I would be so grateful!  I am weary of this roller-coaster, just wanting to be a parent, that I am asking my partner to set a limit of 6 more months or age 46 to switch to considering donor eggs.  I really want to have a biological child but I want more to be a parent and I think once I was pregnant and had a child I would be so grateful I'd be fine.

So sorry for such a long, detailed message.  I've never posted before and this is the first time I've found women who can relate.  Any hope for me?

Andrea

I am 46 and am having so many pregnancy symptoms.  I would be 11 weeks along with my first.  My husband is in disbelief and a test a few weeks ago was negative.  But am missing my period this month.  I have the same pattern of "evening sickness" my sister had with her 3 pregnancies.  Backwards,  In the morning I feel great and when I am tired I get nauseous. 

My PCP office would not schedule an appt.  so I have to wait till the beginning of the month to find a new Primary care physician.  The insurance took a complaint from me and authorized going to urgent care--there the doctor suggested a dairy free diet and mylanta gas (peppermint).  I feel a little better energy wise... but still so full in my abdomen.  The urgent care lab drew blood for a second test 9 days later, last week.  The test was prescribed by a doctor prescribing me medication for bipolar.  He is weening me off the antidepressant, just in case. 

The results of the second test got lost in cyberspace because the lab must have entered the wrong fax number on the prescription.  I saw that messy writing. 

All I can say is what I thing happened....WE took a 3 week vacation after 3 long years without and came home with more than luggage.  :-)

I have been working with a nurse who I know as a friend on diet and supplements and prebiotics and probiotics.  So scared but willing to go on. 

Hi there all

 

I got pregnant at 40 and then again at 43, both times with new partners and very quickly. For my own reasons I decided to terminate both pregnancies and please believe me I am tortured for those decisions. I am sure that a large percentage of fertility is due to hereditory factors. My nan was popping out babies until she was 47.

I am 45 and believe that I may be going through peri menopause. Im almost 2 weeks overdue and this is the first time I have had a late period, not due to pregnancy. Im so very sad,,, I realise that I am entering a new stage of my lif

and should celebrate the fact that I am almost free of unwanted pregnancy..

 

 

Anyway, dont give up hope in your 40's, it does happen, its not impossible ...x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just to clarify my post above. Blood tests and scans revealed that there were problems with both pregnancies.

Bare in mind that we are born with all our eggs and they age with us. We are more prone to difficulties with pregnancy and chromosonal abnormalities. However never give up!! I am blessed with two daughters and now a grandson.

Best wishes to you all

The first signs of perimenopause for me was NOT a missed period. I got mood swings worse than usual, try reading the book, The Sexy Years by Suzanne Summers...She did a lot of research on the subject. Perimenopause, menopause, hormone replacement therapy and the like. And like the title suggests, Don't be sad about this, because...well read the book. I also think that if you were younger when you had your first period (10,11, 12....) the first time, you would be older starting to go into perimenopause and eventually menopause. I'm not sure where I read that or heard it, and it might be in Suzanne Summer's book. Your nan had good genes to pass on. That is why nature made her fertile so late in her age. She was probably younger too the first period. Now you could have gotten anything from the gene pool from your other ancestors. I think it is possible that you are pregnant again, assuming the birds and bees are true. That you have had some relations last month. Women are usually fertile halfway between their cycles. If you are two weeks late not just think about a month ago 28 days or so ago... If you would keep the pregnancy if it were so, be careful what you eat, smoke and drink now....also have you been taking vitamins with folic acid in them for the last couple of months....or consuming vegetables rich in this nutrient--darker and leafier vegetables... As the March of Dimes recommends this to prevent the risk of spina bifida. True about the age of the eggs themselves, but the general health of the mother just before conception occurs plays a huge role. Before birth is when the ovaries are formed and I wonder how the health of a child's maternal grandmother before conception plays a role in the chances of these "hereditary" factors. Maybe that is a study for the future. If you are sad because you think you are entering menopause think about not being free of the possibility of now being pregnant? For me I have been in perimenopause for years without skipping a period. but everyone is different. Women have different body types according to their levels of the three sex hormones with relationship to each other. For me I am the athlete--my testosterone (yes, women naturally have SOME testosterone) runs high.... There is also progesterone which gets high as the cycle thickens the lining of the uterus. Now in the absence of a pregnancy, this hormone goes to nil or nearly nil around the time the flow starts. And of course, the star of the female hormone show--estrogen. Some women who have a lot of naturally occurring estrogen (compared to the other two) in their "prime" years have a lot of fat compared to muscle--they can struggle with obesity regardless of what or how much they eat. Now then there is the hCG or pregnancy hormone which only appears in the bloodstream after a pregnancy. That is how blood and urine tests work. for urine tests, extras of the hormone spill out into the urine. That is why the old tests say to collect first morning urine as more gets stored in the bladder during the night......

 This is a wonderful website!!! I have just gone through the hormonal torture of believing I was pregnant than down comes sporadic Aunt Flo. My cycle is 6 days early and my friend, who is 54, claims to be sterile. He has not had a recent test of any viable soldiers and I am at that point to ask him to have one done. I am an extremely spiritual person and believe my Angels are always watching out over me. My desire to conceive is extremely strong and put my faith in God since that is the supreme decision maker. I have never had any problem conceiving and pretty much gave myself the nickname "Fertile Myrtle." I am 43 with an 11 year old son, a single mom who has NEVER been married, but has found my best friend who has been with me through my self discovery over the past almost 2 years. I love him dearly and would find it such a gift to be able to give him a child. He has 2 grown girls from a previous 33 year marriage that ended over 7 years ago. I am posting this as a type of therapy for myself in knowing that there are women out there who desire the same thing as I do. I have had a recent blood test done for my hormones and a regular blood work up and it all came back normal. I am a vegetarian so I eat sensibly and own my business. I am going to remain positive ALWAYS and know that God and the divine messengers are in the drivers seat, plus continue to mediate which I find so totally enlightening. Thanks to whoever reads this and I welcome and responses or women who can relate. 

:-D

Hello above!!! waves hands

My partner when I became pregant at 43 was 54. It was the first time we had unprotected sex, yes I know what are the chances?

I've got my period now, I think I may have actually got my dates mixed up, as I can still 'feel' when I ovulate, if that makes sense.

 

Im very glad to have found this message board. I find the responses to be well informed, non judgemental, with warmth and empathy. I had my girls in my mid twenties which physiologically I still believe the optimum age to have a child. Having said that I can appreciate the benefits of having children in our 40's, patience and life experience being among them.

 

In response to the lady above who remarked on my saddness at the prospect of approaching menopause. I will always live with the pain and regret of the terminations I chose to have. I did not make those decisions lightly. I became so mentally unwell I was admitted to a mental hospital for a short period of time. I literally lost my mind. I felt so guilty for all the women who struggle to conceive..

 

Anyway, I truly believe where there is a will, there is a way. So to all you lovely women who want to be mums, best wishes and lots of love...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was he supposed to be sterile? This is the only reason why my love believes it will not happen. Thank you for your input!! Have a Blessed evening!

hi there, I guess the point I was trying to make was inspite of our ages, it still happened I really wish you all the best, and please post updates, would love to hear if it works out for you both x

I am 47 and just discovered I am pregnant in my 22 week already after Dr told me in July when my period stopped that I am in meapause now.

I am 45 too and I thought it was impossible for women to get pregnant at 45 and that in the papers they say other eggs have to be used etc. Am myself in shock because this is a complete surprise and I'm unsure what I will do. In fact its so frightening because I have other health problems - T1 diabetes, chronic depression (taking ante-depressants all adult life) and goodness knows what state the baby will be in.

I'm 45 this year. Last year I got pregnant by surprise when I already have two kids, one 8, the other 11. I was terrified as I didn't know how to deal with the big surprise, amid panic and severe morning sickness, I took my mom's advise to terminate the pregnancy at 7 weeks. But i have been through the most horrible regret and remorse in my life since.  I have been delaying a decision to have Tb, as deep in mind I still regret I gave up the chance to have a healthy baby. I tried once to have a 3rd child when I was 40 but miscarried at 9 weeks and was in despair, so I didn't believe I could be able to have another one successfully. I was too scared of failure again, and to be pregnant  

when it is totally not in your agenda was traumatic.

I want to try again. I am happy to know that it is real that women do have healthy babies at 45. 

 

LC

I am trying to get pregnant too. I am 45 years of age. My doctor told me I have a slight chance of getting pregnant. I have all the signs of being pregnant, and not. Depressing. I told him that i'm taking prenantal vitamins, and he me to keep taking them. Is there any other vitamins or food that I can eat to increase my chances of getting pregnant, if so drop me a line here or feel free to email me at

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 thank you.

thank you for your post..... this is the most positive i have read! i have just turned 44 and found myself single again and feeling so depressed that i have missed out on my chance to have children..... maybe and hopefully this year i will fall in love and get pregnant.. you have given me hope.... :)