The 50-year-old half-Irish and half-Iranian model and tv presenter is famous for hosting the US reality show The Swan in the early 2000s, and more recently for presenting Total Wipeout and Dancing With The Stars, Ireland.
But her celebrity lifestyle has taken a back seat since she had her little boy ‘Phoenix Blaze’ in 2021. She is happily leading a much quieter life with her television producer husband Julian Okines at their home in London.
Dublin born Amanda, had hoped to have a baby much sooner than she did, and spoke openly in the press in her early forties about her hopes to have a family shortly after she met her husband. But despite her vigorous fitness routine, she failed to fall pregnant naturally and had to have ivf before finally becoming pregnant in 2021 at the age of 48.
She decided to wait till she met the right man
She described her decision to have a family later in life: “I never really wanted to go down that road until I was really, really sure I had met the right person…
‘I think there are choices you make as a woman, you can choose to do it by yourself, to do it with somebody even if you are not convinced they are the right person, or you can wait for the right person and then maybe find it is too late.
After her son’s birth in November 2021, she described her fertility battles on her instagram account ‘amandabyram‘:
“Our fertility journey has been long and we know only too well the heartbreak of the hope that turned to hopelessness, the elation that turned to devastation, and the strain putting this often-secretive journey before your job, your friends, and your life.
“I know many brave parents-in-waiting who, like us, have struggled for a long time, so we share this magical news in the hope it can inspire and offer a light at the end of the tunnel. You are powerful warriors, I know your pain, and I see you. We send you all the strength you need to tackle your journeys.
“Now that he is finally here, we realise we have never been more ready or felt more mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped to be his mummy and daddy.”
The support of her husband got her through ivf
Amanda, praised her husband Julian Okines, for being her ‘rock’ and giving her the encouragement to keep going despite the heartache her fertility journey caused.
She said: “It’s thanks to you, your energy, and your enthusiasm, that we are all here together today. We are so lucky to have you, and Phoenix is lucky to call you his Daddy, I know you are already his hero. We love you infinitely.”
So what can you do to increase your fertility in your 40s
As a woman gets older, like Amanda, however fit and healthy she is, it’s the quality of her eggs that matter. There is very little you can do to stop them naturally declining. However, there are a few things things that women in their 40s can try to increase their chances of getting pregnant.
Here are some top tips:
- See an ivf doctor. It’s important to talk to a good doctor after a year of trying unsuccessfully for a baby to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be affecting you and your partners fertility. Conditions such as endometriosis and PCOS in women can seriously affect your ability to conceive.
- Remember that only a few countries will carry out ivf on women over 45. Greece is one of these that will carry out ivf on women up to the age of 54. We recommend Medimall, who are one of the leaders in this field.
- Consult a leading natural fertility specialist. These are increasingly popular but best tried before you start a cycle of ivf. We recommend specialists like Mama Be in the UK, and have a list of the top 5 fertility coaches in the world on our website..
- Track your ovulation. This will help you determine when you’re most fertile and have the best chances of getting pregnant.
- Have sex regularly. It may seem obvious, but the more often you have sex, the more chances you have of getting pregnant.
- Take prenatal vitamins. Prenatal vitamins for men and women can help to improve your overall health and give your baby the best start in life. We recommend taking a high quality fertility supplement such as those produced by the award winning company Nua Fertility. These target the gut and help increase sperm health.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking and drinking alcohol can damage your fertility.
- Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can affect your fertility.
- Manage stress. Stress can also affect your fertility.
- Eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet is essential for overall health, including fertility. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise is good for your overall health, but it’s important to avoid too much strenuous exercise, which can disrupt your menstrual cycle.
As in the case of Amanda Byram you may have to consider having ivf. There are a number of different fertility treatments available, and your doctor can help you decide which one is right for you.
It’s important to remember that the chances of getting pregnant naturally after the age of 45 with your own eggs are very slim.
What are the statistics of success in your forties?
The figures aren’t great. A woman over 40 but under 45 has a 5% chance per cycle of falling pregnant naturally. if she opts for “mild ivf” which is less invasive, this rises to 9%. with the full ivf process, this jumps to a 20% chance.
You can freeze your eggs at a much younger age, but this is no guarantee that they will work when you are Amanda’s age.