40+...I need to hear some success stories.

[TammyS]

Long story short...
We got pregnant on our first IVF try when I was 39. Used our remaining embryos last month and miscarried at 41. We had not planned to go back at all after this frozen attempt...but now we find ourselves not wanting to give up. The next fresh IVF cycle we can do will be in July, when I am 42. We did get pregnant with both IVF attempts...so that is the good news. I am wondering though...are the odds of Down Syndrome or other problems....just as high with a normal woman getting pregnant at 42 naturally as it is with an IVF attempt? Or does doing IVF somehow reduce the chances of Downs and other problems...simply because the embryologist ends up picking better quality embryos when doing ICSI?

Dont get me wrong...I would probably be a great mom and I know my DH would be an awesome daddy to a child with special needs (he has special needs kids at his school that work with him and he is amazing with them)...but still I am scared to death. We are older and I dont want Zach to end up having to care for his little brother/sister when we are gone.

So I need to hear some success stories from older women/men. I need to hear some scientific info, too. Thanks.

[Warren Dew]

As far as I know, the chances of Down's isn't any different for IVF patients. However, it's still only a couple of percent in your early 40s. There are tests to detect it early in the pregnancy, so if you're willing to terminate a pregnacy for Down's, it doesn't have much of an impact on your chances of having a healthy kid.

[TammyS]

Thanks Warren. I think we are gearing up for another IVF soon. Was thinking about July, but since my DH is in major overtime come July...we would be smarter to wait 6 more weeks...when he will be around to help out with Zach, and also be there for appts and ultrasounds. Ugh. Decisions decisions. lol

We would never terminate....just couldnt do it. Just naturally worried is all...cause really it would be such a life altering thing and would turn us into homebodies for sure. We do alot of fun stuff...traveling, camping, zoos, water parks, storytime, kindermusik classes...like something nearly every day. It would change Zach's life for sure.

[teachertam]

TammyS:

Good luck on your upcoming IVF. I tried IVF 2 times (both BFN) and then got pregnant naturally (at 42) while waiting
to do a frozen cycle. There are 1st and 2nd trimester genetic tests that can be done that are not invasive
(ie: they do not increase the chance of miscarriage). They are not 100% accurate but with both tests, they are in
the 90's with accuracy. We did both when I was pregnant with my DS and it changed my risks for having a baby with
DS from 1:70 (age only) to 1:5700.

Regards,
Tammy

[babyluv]

Hey Tammy - My mom had me when she was 42 (actually three of us were born after she was 35) and my SIL had her one and only also at 42...both fine. My aunt had my cousin when she was 21 and he has Downs (he's now 45). Sooo...age doesn't necessarily mean anything. I know according to stats it does increase with age, but more children are born with no special needs than are those born with them.

Good luck and I hope to see you with another H&H 9 months soon!