pregnant options age 40

Nurses General Nursing

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My hubby and I are looking at trying for a baby. I am 40 so it isn't in our favor to wait - I will graduate next Christmas. Any tips for managing it all if we get "blessed" to survive school and pregnancy?:lol2:

I work 3 days and am in school 4 days = no days off during semester unless I take vacation time. So far I have been doing good in classes and organizing my time.

As someone who almost waited too long to try to have a family - my twins were born when I was almost 42 - I just wanted to advise you not to wait any longer; you can always interrupt nursing school if necessary (and resume your studies later), but time is definitely running out on the bio clock! I never realized just how badly until we saw an RE (reproductive endocrinologist, i.e. fertility specialist) who told us that the odds of pregnancy (pg) drop significantly in your late thirties and even worse at 40+. To try to outrun the clock, we started tx (yes, some women still conceive at 40+, but far fewer than at younger ages).

At this age (40+), if you're actively trying and haven't conceived in 3 months, you should see an RE (this would be 6 months at ages 35-39, or 1 year if younger). Believe me, I've learned a lot about this topic and have some Internet resources if interested.

As for having a healthy pg over 40 while in nursing school, it can probably be done; however, if too stressful, you can always resume your studies later.*

Best of luck to you!

DeLana

P.S. Don't let all these celebrities who have children in their mid-forties and beyond fool you; they almost always used donor eggs (DE) from younger women, and this fact is usually not disclosed (OK, their business, except it misleads women into thinking they can wait much longer than they really can - unless they want to use another woman's DNA, i.e. donor eggs). Needless to say, DE are always used in postmenopausal women.

*I had to interrupt nursing school as well, although for other reasons, and had no difficulty continuing 18 months later. I graduated at age 35.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Twins! An infertility patient's dream come true!:1luvu:

Do you mind me asking how long it took to conceive after you saw the RE?

My RE is a used car salesman, and I loathe the thought of staying with him...

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RE? Reproductive Expert?

I have a theory about how I got preggers in my 40's . . . I'd been having heavy bleeding, peri-menopausal symptoms. My ob/gyn put me on Progestin. This was in July - for 3 months. I got preggers in Oct.

Not on purpose. ;)

steph

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Specializes in Cardiac.

RE=Reproductive endocriniologist.

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RE=Reproductive endocriniologist.

Thanks! :balloons:

steph

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Twins! An infertility patient's dream come true!:1luvu:

Do you mind me asking how long it took to conceive after you saw the RE?

My RE is a used car salesman, and I loathe the thought of staying with him...

2 1/2 years - we started with 2 IUIs, then moved on to IVF. The third fresh IVF cycle was successful; I was 41, and used my own eggs*. We were very, very lucky.

Yes, we were hoping for twins. :) :)

If you are uncomfortable with your RE, please change doctors! This is such a difficult journey, you have to be able to trust your RE.

Best of luck you to!

DeLana

*RE's usually urge the use of donor eggs after a few unsuccessful cycles, especially in women over 40.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

If you are really wanting to become pregnant, as you know, time is of the essence. And the other thing is, the pregnancy and baby should come first. Pregnancy is not necessarily a walk in the park for anyone, young or "old" so to speak. You may be totally surprised and shocked by what you body does to force you to slow down and take care of yourself. I am not saying that you can't "have it all"....clearly, you can. Just don't have your heart set on "having it all" at ONCE. That is rare. I would put the pregnancy and baby on the front burner and first, absolutely. School can wait.

As I said: Time is of the essence. You don't have a lot of it, unfortunately, when it comes to getting pregnant.

Steph (as an "over 40 mom") says it so well. Enjoy the baby if you are indeed blessed with one. Take the time you need to care for yourself and baby. The time goes so fast. If I were able to afford it, I would never choose to work or go to school fulltime while pregnant or caring for a child under 5. This time is way too precious and short.....

Good luck; I am rooting for you. I hope all your dreams come true.

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What about freezing eggs- oocyte cryopreservation?

http://www.extendfertility.com/?ls=6

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Health/story?id=1992122

I know its far from a perfect science, but what do you all think??

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5505094/site/newsweek

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Check this out. I heard of Fertell on Good Morning America.

http://www.fertell.com/why-fertell/index.html

Fertell contains at-home screening tests that evaluate elements of both male and female fertility. The male test measures concentration of motile sperm. The female test indicates Ovarian Reserve, which is a measure of the age of your ovaries and their ability to respond to FSH in order to produce eggs capable of fertilization.
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Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice:) I agree that it is a difficult time. And as my husband and I have only recently decided to start trying - I know that school may have to take a back seat to family.

We will see the direction life leads us. Giving comes naturally to nurses - the degree is just confirmation of the calling:) If the RN title is delayed I will be ok with that!

TAZ

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Hmm. I've got mixed feelings about that Fertell kit.

It doesn't measure many important parameters about sperms, including the forward progression, viscosity, anti-sperm antibodies, pH, etc, etc. It could give many a false sense of security.

The female test only measures FSH. It is an insignificant number without other numbers to compare it with. Again, you may test negative on this test (meaning your FSH isn't elevated) and still be infertile.

It's a waste of money.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice:) I agree that it is a difficult time. And as my husband and I have only recently decided to start trying - I know that school may have to take a back seat to family.

We will see the direction life leads us. Giving comes naturally to nurses - the degree is just confirmation of the calling:) If the RN title is delayed I will be ok with that!

TAZ

Also, get yourself a copy of the book, "taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler. It's a bible and a Godsend!

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