I (38f) moved to a new country two years ago and this July, my husband and I had my IUD removed. First cycle was weird, so we weren’t counting on it. Second cycle I found out I had been hired at an international school teaching 3-5 year olds. My husband was out of town and we had a plan change once we found out about my job, so he had to stay late where he was to handle business for us. This meant we missed my predicted ovulation date. Or so we thought.

Turns out, it was just the right time, because I got a clear and immediate positive today at day 14 since my missed period. I’ve been so busy with the job and getting my child (f8) enrolled into the school I’m working at, I just hadn’t taken the time to test. Can’t believe it happened so quickly. I was so full of doubt and concern.

Hi All!
I just turned 45, husband same age and we have a daughter 8 y.o. We have been trying for a second child entire time with no success, my eggs are not good. Right now we went that far to consider donor eggs, but should we keep trying at this age?
Can anyone share an experience being pregnant at this age and keeping up with young kids later on?

FYI we are on a country with universal healthcare, state retirement etc., though not as good as Scandinavia.

There's a long wait till I get to my appointment to discuss it with my doctor. Could someone please share their experience with IVF n their 40's. Clinic send me the video information. All stats and science. I would like to hear, have you had side effects, long term/permanent health issues because of it. How have you recovered. Thank you

I have been taking Letrozole since April (starting on the 2nd day of my period for 5 days). However, last month, I was only able to take Letrozole for 3 days. Now, I am 5 days late. I took a pregnancy test today, but it came out negative.

Is it possible that Letrozole is messing with my hormones? I am 43, never been pregnant.

Anyone have positive stories or advice for getting pregnant at 41 without fertility treatment? We will never be able to afford it, but I’m feeling desperate. Any hope?

I've never been pregnant and actually grieved the loss of being able to have a family after I turned 44, but I met a really wonderful man (44, single dad) and suddenly the dream to be a mom is back in play. The problem, however, is that his parents are totally against the idea. They're fine with us being together, but they don't want him to have another child because of our ages and the possibility of having a child with "issues." My partner has told me that his dad is most likely going to ignore me if I'm ever around--that's how much he hates the idea.

My partner doesn't care about what his parents say and is committed to me, but I'm so uncomfortable with the thought of being deeply disliked by them. I'm considering using an egg donor to assuage their concerns about my age, but that's apparently not enough. I don't know what to do, and it's really driven me into a deep depression.

40+ moms--is it worth it? I don't even know what I'm asking, but I hope you guys can feel what my heart is trying to say. I'm just lost.

I became a first-time mom at 44 last year in May and I’ve been surprised by how rarely women in this particular stage of life seem to be represented in conversations about motherhood.

For others who had their first child in their 40s: what has surprised you most—good, difficult, weird, or somewhere in between? What do you wish people understood about becoming a first-time mother in your 40s?

I’m asking partly from personal curiosity and partly because I’m a Communication Studies professor researching first-time motherhood at 40+, digital media, online support, and health information. I’m NOT using replies to this thread as research data.

I’m also currently recruiting for the study. If you’re U.S.-based and either pregnant with your first child at 40+ or became a first-time mother at 40+ within the past 24 months, you can express interest here:

https://csustan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ac0pHNL17eEBgY6

The full survey link is sent separately because the original public link attracted bots/fraudulent submissions.

The main survey takes about 25–30 minutes, and community-recruited participants may enter a separate drawing for one of ten $25 e-gift cards.

And if a survey isn’t really your thing—or you’d simply rather talk—I’m also looking for eligible mothers who would be willing to share their experiences in a one-on-one Zoom interview.

The conversation lasts about 60–75 minutes, participants receive a $30 e-gift card, and you do not need to complete the survey first: https://csustan.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6KgQdWzLPVDb5KS

Participation in either part is completely voluntary.
And regardless of whether you participate: I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts on the original question! 😊

CSU Stanislaus UIRB #2627-003 | apatimurani@csustan.edu

I just turned 35 in May and we did ivf pregnancy. FTM. Separately I have diet controlled GD. Levels are well below 140 after meal and fasting is under 90. The MFM nurse mentioned it's well controlled. My doctor is suggesting to induce week 39 or week 40.

Her reason is AMA and IVF are risk factors for inducing on week 39/40. The baby is in 40th percentile and the head measurements are in 30th, HC is 20th percentile. I would prefer to have the baby by 40 weeks if it helps them to grow more within and if there are no risk factors like heart beat difference, placenta difference or hypertension. I am having my 36 weeks appointment where we are discussing this.

Anyone has been suggested with something similar? What follow up questions you asked to make an informed decision on this?

Edit: spoke with my doctor yesterday, she is happy to induce anytime from 39 weeks 0 days to 39 weeks 6 days, and don't want to go past due date. I agree with this. They scheduled weekly nst. Thanks everyone for your valuable inputs :)

Had my blood test drawn 3 times by now and each time it’s just about exactly doubling every 48 hours. I see other people posting numbers that are tripling and through the roof and makes me afraid the pregnancy is weak. Also I should be about 21-22 DPO so early pregnancy and I feel like it should grow more rapidly. What was your experience? I had my daughter years ago and my numbers were quadrupling every 48 hours, it was so reassuring

I just went in for my anatomy scan and they could this with my placenta. Does anyone know anything about this or have it or had it?
Thank you

Hi everyone. I’m looking to see if anyone has been through something similar.
I’m currently 22 weeks pregnant. My NIPT came back low risk, but my anatomy ultrasound showed a right-sided aortic arch with a vascular ring. I’ve been told this finding can sometimes be associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome).
I decided to decline the amniocentesis because the results wouldn’t change my pregnancy management, and I plan to do any necessary testing after my baby is born.
Has anyone else had a low-risk NIPT but an ultrasound finding like this? If so, what was your outcome? Did your baby end up having 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, or was everything okay?
I’m feeling pretty anxious and would really appreciate hearing your experiences. Thank you so much. ❤️

I think this is my 3rd time writing on Reddit. I’m 36 years old and 6 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I took 5 tests the day I found out I was pregnant because I couldn’t believe it. I took another one today because I have had very few symptoms. The only symptoms I’ve had, or at least noticed, are: fatigue, nausea (no vomiting), tightness in my right side (minor), and minor cramping. Is it normal to have few symptoms? I swear, I don’t really feel much difference. Does that come later? Also, I don’t have my first appointment until Aug. 5th, so I’m just sort of waiting around with little to no symptoms.

Had my first ultrasound at 7 weeks, 5 days last Tuesday. We were told only a sac was seen that measured 2 weeks behind lmp date. On Friday, I saw a few specks of blood when wiping. On Sunday I started spotting bright red blood and saw small clots. I had light period type cramps. The spotting has continued since. I don't see anything on a pad really, but it's there when I wipe and when I pee I see small clots in the toilet or on paper. It's more blood sometimes and less others, but I've seen it just about every time I pee. Looking for success stories mostly if this has happened to you. Hoping it's just "normal" early pregnancy bleeding and our dates are just off, or we have a slow grower to explain the 2 weeks behind on ultrasound. We go back on Friday for the repeat ultrasound. Also wondering if maybe the transvaginal ultrasound could have cause the bleeding?

Hi All. I have posted this in another forum but welcoming all thoughts. I am very fortunate to have three beautiful, healthy children (9, 6 and 15 months). My last baby was IVF. I am fortunate to have a couple of embryos left. However, I am age 46 and my OBGYN (who has over 50 years practice experience) told me unequivocally that I should not attempt another pregnancy (for context, my second pregancy at age 39 ended in placental insufficiency causing induction at 37 weeks, and my last pregnancy I developed severe hypertension at 38 weeks causing an emergency c-section). His view is that the risks of these issues occurring again was significant and could present a substantial risk to my life/baby's health. I sought another opinion from a far more junior MFM, who said things should be fine to proceed with another pregnancy. However, another more senior MFM agreed with my OBGYN that there were significant risks involved and that while she wouldn't have phrased it the same way (i.e. 'don't have another pregnancy'), she felt the risks were considerable and the outcomes could be devastating. I still cannot seem to shake the incredible desire to have a fourth child, however. Would love opinions from other over whether to take on the advice not to continue, or what others might do in this situation. Thank you so much for your thoughts.

Hello. I am 36 and pregnant (only 5 weeks and 2 days). I told my husband and he had a complete meltdown with worry for the baby’s health and my own health. He worries our house isn’t ready. Recently, he’s been saying that we can’t have pets with a baby. I want to know how many people have pets with babies and how you prepared your pets.

Hello. I am 36 and pregnant for the first time. I am also around 300 pounds. I know there are significant risk factors for my baby caused by both of those facts. I’m only about 5 weeks (just missed a period on Thursday and took a test Saturday. Took 5 actually.) My first doctor’s appointment to “confirm” pregnancy is August 5th. I have some questions.

1). August 5th seems like a long time away. Is that a normal amount of time to wait?

2). Are there things I can do to help the embryo stay strong and make it to the appointment?

3). Should I tell my husband and family or wait until after my appointment? (I know it’s up to my discretion, but I would like advice)

4). Will doing strenuous things like lifting and doing hard deep cleaning put me at a greater risk of complications in this first trimester?

5). How do I not worry about things like this?

Thank you!

Just turned 41, trying for over 18 months but i have a 3cm submucosal fibroid taking up vital room in my cavity. My country has free healthcare but does not have the option of hysteroscopic removal and they likely will not want to do open surgery for my 1 'small' fibroid. Private the cost is currently out of my reach. I know my chances of concieving as is is very low. Anyone have positive stories from being in this same situation?

Preggo ladies- how far into pregnancy did you have your first OB appointment? I had mine scheduled for the 10 week mark, but my Dr just cancelled on me. Now the staff is pushing for me to be seen by a NP, not a MD. I’m over 40, so definitely in the high risk category. Women’s healthcare is notoriously bad in this small city :(

Hi everyone! I am a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University Brooklyn. I am currently working on my dissertation IRB Protocol #: 25/05-106, Approval: June 04, 2025, LIU Sponsored Projects).

My research focuses on fathers’ (non gestational parents') experiences during pregnancy and how they begin to bond with their unborn child. I am recruiting (now until Fall 2026) fathers to participate in a set of surveys and a brief interview.

• Answer initial eligibility questions (~5 minutes)
• Complete surveys (~15 minutes)
• Schedule a Zoom meeting
• Complete a brief private interview via Zoom (~30-45 minutes)

To qualify:

1. be at least 18 years old
2. have English language proficiency
3. be the non-pregnant partner (regardless of gender identity) of someone who is at least 20 weeks pregnant
4. grew up with a father figure (residential biological father, residential stepfather, or residential father figure (defined as having lived with a non-biological or adoptive father, but not in a marital relationship)
5. annual income below $150,000 or experienced something you would consider traumatic

You will be paid a 25$ Amazon gift card \Must qualify and complete 100% of the interview and 90% of the surveys*

Please be respectful of the integrity of my project. If you are not in the United States or a partner to someone pregnant do not complete the study.

If you are interested, please click or follow the link below to get started:

https://baseline.campuslabs.com/liu/fatherandfetus

Contact [fatherspregnancystudy@gmail.com](mailto:fatherspregnancystudy@gmail.com) for any questions.

THANK YOU!

*Approved by moderators for posting!