Fear of birth defects?

MissusX

Hi.  I'm 38 and have been diagnosed with low ovarian reserve and, most likely, low egg quality.  We have one child that we conceived naturally, but are suffering from secondary IF.  We have gone through many rounds of fertility treatment, including IUI and IVF.  We have 2 cycles of IVF left that will be covered by insurance.  However, as each month passes without a BFP, I am painfully aware of my age creeping up and am starting to get very nervous about the higher incidence of birth defects at my age should I get pregnant.  I'm fearful to the point that I'm considering giving up on trying to get pregnant.  Am I being totally irrational?  Does anyone else feel this way?

MDBeachbride

It's always a concern but I don't let it worry me too much.  Most of the time the pregnancy ends in m/c when there is something wrong so you really shouldn't focus on what bad things could happen but instead conceiving and delivering a healthy baby.  Good luck to you.

QE2

I am also 38 and have been dx with DOR with multiple failed fertility cycles. Chromosomal abnormalities are a concern of mine, but not enough to stop me from trying. Sorry, I don't have any words of wisdom for you, but do wish you the best what ever your decision may be.

leslieb923

I am 39, soon to be 40 (Sept) and although I do sometimes think about Chromosomal abnormalities it does not stop me from trying.?

joyfulnature

I'm 39, soon to be 40.(nov)

I'm still in the fertility testing phase, but my FSH has come back high, so it looks like I have DOR.

I am concerned about birth defects, but I am going to keep trying.

The odds increase substantially, as we all know, but the number of babies who are born with birth defects to women our age is still very low.