38 and thinking about getting pregnant?

[TnTWalter]

Haven't read any responses but have you considered adoption. I think that's a great alternative for people. I am adopted. I have many friends who have adopted. Blood doesn't matter IMHO.

Best of luck.

Trish

 

[ehrn]

I'm 38, recently lost IVF twins @8weeks. I would have loved to have had babies younger, but it didn't work out that way for me. I want to try again but I do feel like that clock is a-tickin'. My son is 4, would love to give him a sibling to share his love of Disney, lol. With all that technology can offer, I hope it can be done but some things are just out of our hands. OP, don't look back on this 5 or 10yrs from now and wish you had tried. If this is on your heart, get moving and look into it at least, TICK TOCK, just kidding. Wishing you all the best!!
L

 

[fireflymedic]

Well I adopted so cant tell you much about being pregnant, but I can speak on having kids in the latter yrs. (I was well into my 40's)

I think it is great, I make much more money now than in my 20's, I have my house and car payed for,

Seems if your young when you have kids you are always hurting for money. Not so bad in latter yrs.

just my 2cents

 

[scootch]

I didn't read all the other responses, but will tell you I had my first at 35 and my second jsut before I turned 38. My hubby was a 47 year old FIRST time dad. I wouldn't change a thing!!! good luck with your decision.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I had my one and only at 43. No problems.

 

[1hero2princesses]

I had my kids at 35, 37 and 39. Although we had a scare with the last one (I had some tests indicating she might have downs) she turned out to be fine. I say go for it. I am 41 now and have not completely given up the dream, although my DH says we are done!

 

[C&G'sMama]

Do what's best for you. I had DD (will be 9 in May) at 36 and DS at 39 (will be 6 in April (by the way I am 5' 2" and weighed 230 when I started with each of them) and I lost weight with each of them (gained it back but that's another story). My age nor my weight was never an issue with my OB, if either is an issue, find a different Dr.

I've said this on other posts and I'll say it again. My own mom was 46 when I was born and she's 91 today (still lives on her own). So women having babies in their late 30's and into their 40's has never been an issue for me.

Good thoughts your way for whatever you and your husband decide.

 

[AustinTink]

I just wanted to tell you to go with your heart.

 

[Plumeria9]

I am from So. Cal., which is where I pretty much lived until my family and I moved to TX 3 years ago. I am telling you this because at least in So. Cal., people having babies into their early 40s is completely normal. Now that I live here in TX, I am shocked when find out how young most gals are with children the same age as mine. Of course they all think I am as young as they are, I only wish! I had my youngest, who just turned 5, at age 37. That was completely normal, except in the OB world where they call you AMA - advanced maternal age. Eh, who cares about them. If you and your husband want a bigger family, then the choice is yours. I wish you all the best!

 

[lucigo]

I doubt anyone would come on a board like this and say anything negative. So while its encouraging to hear "I had a baby at 40 and everything turned out fine" just know the risks and be prepared for things to not go as easily as they do for a 20 year old...and research with an open mind, these things don't always just happen to other people, ya know?

I wish you all the best!!

 

[december]

I'm 36, dh is 37, and I'm over 27 wks pregnant with #3. We've actually been together for 21yrs, but married for 13. Our other kids are 11 and 9. I got pregnant really easy with them (off the pill for 6 wks with ds11, nursed him for 18 mos, was planning on going back on the pill the next month, dh talked me into trying for a baby on Valentines Day, and 9 mos later.....).

Dh always wanted another one, but I was against it. Last summer, I started having some reactions to the pill (my face got dark brown splotches all over), and went off the pill in July. I was 35, and told dh he had until the end of the year to get me pregnant. I already had a dr's appt for Nov. to discuss getting an IUD. We have friends who conceived easily the 1st time, and later couldn't get pregnant. We also have one set of friends who have been trying for over 6 yrs. I warned him that at my age it was a long shot. 6 wks later, I was looking at a positive pregnancy test

My dr. has not made a big deal about my age or weight (I'm 5'2" and weighed 170 when I got pregnant). I also opted not to have any extra testing done. I've had 3 sonograms and all 3 look great. I am tired-but I am a high school teacher (teaching a state tested class), have 2 kids, and I'm in grad school, so I have reasons to be tired beyond my age!

And my older kids are so excited! Now that the baby is moving alot, they want to sit with me and feel the baby all the time, especially ds11. Dd9 is excited-just not as cuddly as he is!

 

[jlormeau]

I had my fourth at age 38. The pregnancy was easy and normal, except that I was much more tired than I had been with pregnancies at a younger age. I got pregnant easily and had an easy birth.
The only thing I would think about is what your life will be like at 50. I am 42 now and all of my friends who are my age have older children and have much more freedom than I do now. Many of my friendships suffered when I had 2 more children at this advanced age because my friends whose children were older had much more freedom and had moved on to other things. They were not so interested in the baby thing. "Been there done that" attitude. It's also strange this time to be one of the "older moms".

Lastly, after my divorce, dating was a bit more difficult with little ones. Most men my age and older are over the kid thing. Their kids are grown and they do not want to be tied down again. Luckily, I finally found someone a bit younger who also has younger children and all has worked out. But having kids at an older age does change more than you might realize.

I enjoy having my little ones and I am excited about our upcoming DW trip, but you should go into this knowing what you are getting into. Sometimes I wonder if I really needed to have more kids and what it would have been like if I hadn't. I have a 16 and 17 year-old. I would have a lot more freedom and money. lol

You'll decide on the right thing to do, but health-wise, you will probably be fine. I agree with those who suggest you get off the Depro. That stuff lasts forever.

Good Luck

 

[Ride Junkie]

Another "older" mom-to-be checking in! I just turned 39 & am 22 weeks pregnant with my 1st one. I had an amnio, because I wanted to know if anything was wrong with the baby. So far everything has been normal. I was a little weirded out about being an older mom, but it really is the best time for me since I finished school last year & have a good, stable job. As long as your doctor say's you're healthy, I don't see why you shouldn't try for another. Good luck!

 

[bethy]

I am nearly 36 and am contemplating having one more (third) child. I am not at all concerned about being PG or having an infant and toddler in my late 30's or even early 40's.

I AM concerned however about what it will be like from then on out. DH's parents had him at 34 and they seem really, really old to me and have some health problems. My dad is 10 years younger than they and super active and a healthy eater and just had a life-threatening heart attack last month. Out of the blue. He was 23 when I was born.

I want to be there for my kids when they have kids. I want to know and enjoy and be active with my grandkids. If I have a baby at 36 and then he/she has a baby at 36 that would make me 72 when it is born and then at least 80 before we'd be making memories that that child would actually remember for life and for long after I'm gone. And then there's the consideration of the next grandchild after that. It makes me sad. I know we could be hit by a bus tomorrow but my age and stamina when my kids get older - like over 10 years old - worries me.

 

[bigsis1970]

Again Thanks to all of the advise, input and stories! We have our appt on Friday and I am feeling better - I will keep you posted on what the Dr. says..