Are you feeling discouraged about your chances of conceiving in your 40s? After all, time and age-related factors like low egg count are likely working against you and your partner.
That’s the fertility backdrop for Charlotte*, 44, and her husband, 46. Conception and health issues coupled with a heart-wrenching miscarriage dashed their hopes of having a child despite having been married for ten years.
But with an at-home insemination kit, the twoplus Applicator, Charlotte successfully conceived the second time. During her 6th week of pregnancy, she sat down with us to share her miraculous story of procreation.
Read on to find out how she got pregnant after 40 without in-clinic fertility treatments.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is not intended as medical advice.
*Name was changed to protect privacy.
Charlotte Talks About Her Real-Life Miracle With twoplus
Interview responses were edited for clarity.
Q: Hi, Charlotte! Tell us a bit about yourself! How old are you and your partner? Where do you live in the U.K., and what do you both work as?
A: I’m 44, and my husband is 46. We live in the Midlands. I run my own business, and my husband works in the motor trade.
Q: Could you share more about your fertility struggles as a couple before the pregnancy?
A: It was always the plan for us to have children when we got married. But 18 months after we married, my periods stopped, and I was diagnosed with a low egg count.
It looked like we might not be able to have children, and we decided to be comfortable with a life on our own.
In 2021, I got pregnant by complete accident, but we lost that baby at 7 weeks. Although we had said we wouldn’t have children, that loss had triggered something in me, and I knew I wanted to try again, despite being on the wrong side of 40. But I was reassured by my GP last year that it was safe (and possible).
We’ve tried for around 18 months before falling pregnant now.
Q: Were you or your partner diagnosed with any medical conditions relating to fertility by a licensed healthcare professional, and what tests did you do?
A: Apart from the low egg count, we weren’t diagnosed with anything else. My periods returned within 9 months of them stopping and have been normal since.
Q: What led you to purchase the Applicator? What did you like/dislike about it?
A: My husband has an autoimmune condition that causes chronic fatigue.
If I was ovulating during the week when he was working long shifts, we have no chance of trying to have sex to get pregnant. It was causing us stress, and I thought this [Applicator] was an option to take the pressure off him.
Q: Was the Applicator easy to use? Were they uncomfortable after inserting, and did you have any trouble using the fertility tools?
A: The Applicator was really easy to use and comfortable. I found the whole process really easy and straightforward but read the instructions!
Q: Congratulations on getting pregnant with the twoplus Applicator on your first try! Is this your first successful pregnancy? How long have you been trying to conceive?
A: We’ve been pregnant once before but that ended at 7 weeks. I’m 6 weeks [pregnant] now and just keeping everything crossed that this one sticks.
Q: Did you adopt any lifestyle changes to improve your odds of conceiving?
A: I tried to be more mindful of nutrition, eating more healthily, and losing weight in the early part of this year. I’ve also cut down on alcohol to help my fertility. My husband is pretty fit anyway and eats well, but the changes I’ve made, he’s adopted [them] as well.
Q: Would you recommend the Applicator to other people who may have difficulties with natural conception?
A: I really would! I was a teeny bit skeptical, but we were getting into the last chance [for our fertility levels], and it was starting to put pressure on us. So I discussed it with my husband who saw no harm in trying. We used [the Applicator] twice around ovulation.
Q: If you could go back to the beginning of your TTC journey, what would you have done differently? Also, what would you suggest to other couples who are TTC?
A: Honestly, I have probably done this sooner. I’d have adopted lifestyle changes sooner and definitely tried this sooner.
The twoplus Applicator: A Ray of Hope for TTC Folks in Their 40s
Charlotte's remarkable journey is a radiant beacon of hope, proving that conception is possible even in your 40s — and without IVF or IUI.
While we celebrate Charlotte’s pregnancy success, remember that every fertility journey is unique. Seeking professional medical help is crucial, especially if you’re over 35 years old and have been trying for more than a year. Before considering any self-insemination method at home, speak with a licensed primary doctor or fertility specialist who can guide you based on your specific circumstances.
To all those on their conception journey, regardless of age, let Charlotte's story inspire you. Each step forward — no matter how unconventional it may seem — is a step closer to your fertility goals.
Believe in the power of hope, trust in your resilience, and know that there are alternative paths to parenthood like the twoplus Applicator waiting to be discovered.