Infertility...I've Been Told My "Eggs Are Too Old" and Won't Be Able to Conceive

how much time do we have? Years ago I met a woman that had had a daughter and was given no hope of having another child. When this woman's daughter was around 20 yrs old-the lady and her husband went on a ski trip. Nine months later she had a baby (almost the same age as her grandson!) and thought skiing was dangerous! Another two women I knew got pregnant after being told they would never conceive again and were waiting to or had already adopted! One of them wound up with 5 children in two or three years! (Long story). I also -years ago, knew a woman who had a 30 yr old husband whose mother was 80! Seriously, if you can fog a mirror and have sex-you can get pregnant!

I had DD at 41. I wasn't told what you were. Please try another doctor's opinion. He or she sounds heartless.

Best wishes.

For those saying they were never told their eggs were old, I'm guessing you weren't going to a fertility specialist. One of the things they test for are your FSH levels. Once the FSH levels start spiking, it's an indication that your eggs are getting old and getting pregnant is less likely. It's one of the indicators of whether IVF is a reasonable procedure for you (the docs like to have at least a reasonable chance of success before putting women through the emotional, physical, and financial hardship of IVF). It's not a heartless statement, just a practical statement. And the age when women's FSH levels spike varies. Mine spiked early (early 40s). Most spike mid 40s.

That said, I got pregnant in my 40s after being told my eggs were too old (high FSH), and I had a successful pregnancy.

As another poster indicated, maybe there is something genetic to this. My grandmother had babies at 28, 30, 32, 42, and 44 years of age. The women in my family live long as well (she was 100 years old when she passed.)

I delivered at 39....I was never told that my eggs were "too old"!

I have a friend who was told her eggs were old in her early 30s. It has to do other factors--not relatin g to the mother's age. She went on to do IVF and had twins! Good Luck!!

my friend was 42 when she had her baby & had another at 45.....thru many years of invitro and Dr's saying age was the factor a couple years later she finally was successful after accupuncture.....she has 2 very healthy boys

It's possible, but not probable.
There are a few women who've gotten pregnant when they thought they were starting menopause - but it's always been a very very small number of women.
Do the women in your family have a history of babies in their 40's?

There are support sites with positive stories:
http://www.mothersover40.com

I got pregnant at 38 and 45 (both unplanned) and carried to term. Had a miscarriage at 42 (that time, we were trying). I was never told my eggs were "too old".

However, I was using an Ob/Gyn a practice where the docs acted like I was 65 and pregnant with the pregnancy I lost ("wow - you're still menstruating?" "I can't believe you got pregnant!" and "you should see a fertlity specialist right away" after I lost the baby even though we'd gotten pregnant 1st try). I don't go there anymore...

I was never told my eggs were too old but I was pregnant at 41 and delivered my 2.5 yr old 6 weeks before I turned 42. "advanced maternal age" - love that! I was a very risk pregnancy because of my earlier preterm baby (due to being DES daughter most likely). With the help of a cerclage and progesterone we made it to 36 weeks! She is very healthy and active!

I wouldn't care about the details of egg age, etc. and if you get pregnant you are just happy. I know many who have had babies in their 40's and all was fine and baby was fine. Just enjoy your pregnancy and don't worry.

My mom was conceived when her her mother was 49! Obviously NOT planned LOL! I am sure any doctor would have told her that her eggs were old and could never conceive, but, see, you can never tell what nature can do.

eggs are old at 40, but not that old. There is still much to work with. Could be just the personality of the doctor and his/her personal belief. Many have their own children at this age. However, some peoples eggs do degrade faster than others. If you were early hitting puberty it can have an effect on your eggs at just 40. They may be seeing there is a protein break down in the cell. Get a second and third opinion. That seems to be a cop out excuse to not want to help you conceive.

Hi B.,
I concieved my first child at 37 - no problems - first shot at trying. Then at 41 decided to try for baby number 2. Has 2 m/c within 6 months of each other and saw 2 reproductive endocrinologists (one at Northwestern and one at FCI) who both told me that because my FSH was 31 (which i"m sure you know is really high - they like to see it below 10) I had less than 1% chance of concieiving with my own eggs. Both really told me donar eggs were my only option. Well, I went to get a 3rd opinion (cause I refused to believe this) and I was told that I was not "infertile" - I was getting pregnant but for some reason I was miscarrying. This doc from Rush put me on prometrium 3 days after I ovulated along wtih baby aspirin and lo and behold I got pregnant first try and now my little boy is 15 months old. I plan on writing a letter to these other two RE's to give them a piece of my mind. If I had listened to them I would never had my little boy.
Congrats on your pregnancy - everything will be fine!!!!

I have twin sisters who were born when my mom was 47 (ivf since her eggs were termed "old." They are thriving high school freshmen now. Wishing you all the best with your baby! Congrats to you. Babies are such blessings!

I had a baby at 40. Tried again at 42 and miscarried her. I think I got very lucky that first time. Lots of fertility doctors help women over 40. Being from Chicago, I'll bet there are lots to chose from. Get another opinion. Blessings....

Congratulations for your pregnancy! Enjoy.
My mom had my sister on her middle 40's.
My sister is a super smart and beautiful 16 year old girl.
Healthy as it can be.
I think your doctor has an "old brain", lol.

A friend of mine conceived her twins using an egg donor. She also now has a happy, healthy 2 year old boy who was a surprise gift! She found out on Christmas, too, that she was pregnant. What a wonderful, surprise blessing!

My aunt went for her annual OBGYN at 42 prepared to discuss "the change" because she was two months late and her previous doctor told her they could not get pregnant. Surprise! My cousin was born 8 months later- mild issues at birth because he was a preemie but a happy, healthy Kindergartener this year.

My cousin was 46 and went to the Dr with urinary tract infection symptoms. She was 6 weeks pregnant. She's 52 now with a smart, healthy 6 yr old. She's still tired, but so happy with God's blessing. Best wishes! Nurse Midwife Mom