Being honest and open about something that can spark high emotions…

First of all, congrats! 🎉

I naturally conceived at 41 and it was a pretty big surprise. We were open to kids but also knew the chances were low for us to conceive without some form of help. After stopping birth control for about 3 months, I was 2 days late and thought I'd check. Bam! Big solid positive lines.

I'm 38 weeks along right now and everything has gone pretty normally so far.

I've also felt cautious/worried about sharing my story with other people my age who may have experienced a tough fertility road, or are currently, because I don't want to seem like I'm insensitive 😥

Being pregnant opened my eyes to the very vulnerable state that all of us are in while we try to do everything right and hope our efforts result in a healthy baby at the end. I have such massive respect for those who go through the journey of fertility treatments, and those who have kept at it despite so many setbacks and the trauma that comes with it. 💕

I ttc for over two years, did a round of IVF at 43, it didn’t work… but the next month I conceived naturally! I found out 1 week before turning 44, right before I was planning on final attempt at IVF.

I’ve been open about my IVF journey. Close family and friends were gutted it didn’t work and we told them we were going for another try, so then turning around and saying actually, that’s not happening because I’m pregnant put everyone right on that emotional rollercoaster with us 🤣🤣

Me pre pregnancy wouldn’t have felt any envy towards any woman conceiving naturally in their mid 40s, it’s a blessing. But everyone is different. Some people might say I’m gloating I’ve conceived naturally, but it was a long time coming so I’d hope not!

I’m curious too as my story is similar to both of yours. I’m in a few online groups- I gave birth at 44 and I’m also a breast cancer survivor- so either the pregnant after 40 or bc survivor groups sometimes people will post asking about success stories and I will share, trying to give inspiration, but often feel bad about follow up questions like did I do IVF, was I monitoring my amh, etc and it was a surprise as I wasn’t doing anything . Like you, Michelle, we knew it was possible but the odds were very slim. I don’t have any tips to give or anything to others since I wasn’t even trying so that makes me wonder if I might be coming off as showing off rather than trying to give hope.

I just try to stay positive and encouraging to others, but I often feel guilty because there are so many women who really want to be a mom, and I just got pregnant spontaneously and am just learning as I go.

I had IVF and had my daughter at 45. Honestly when I hear of 40+ women getting pregnant naturally it makes me so so happy! We all have our own journeys to get to motherhood and I wouldn't worry or feel guilty too much about others.

Don’t feel guilty hun your story is your story and people can’t get upset at YOUR story/experience. My friends been trying to conceive for about 3yrs, our kids are 6 now. (Late 30’s) She did 3 rounds of IVF and then when they stopped and said F it, she got pregnant naturally 🤣🤣 now there’s resentment and a bit of fighting between the 2 blaming her on all the money spent, and her impatience, coz they “could’ve waited and did it naturally” coz it was her who was pushing for the IVF he was more whatever. So yeah. Another baby is coming for them but there’s more fighting and resentment rather than excitement 😬

I feel that ‘not sharing’ thing so much. Even though I had a loss at 39 (got pregnant on the pill bc of a bad tummy bug 😂).

Decided I wanted to be a mom & then got pregnant at 40 after 2.5 months of trying. I’m sitting taking my tests talking to other pregnant ladies- in their 20’s & 30’s who struggled so hard/long.

They’d ask about my story and I’d try to change the subject.

So pleased for you. Mine was ivf at 45 but just glad everything went well.