Looking for other "mature" moms/moms to be...

[mommystieg]

Hi all!! I am 42 and 14 weeks pregnant with our third child (surprise ) and I would love to hear your experiences with all the testing and joys of being pregnant a little later in life. I was 38 when our second DD was born so I am no stranger to the testing and level II sonograms but need a little encouragement. I go for my first level II sono Thursday--DH can't come so I am a little nervous about going by myself. What was your pregnancy like? Did all the testing worry you?

 

[tkyes]

No advice, but CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

All my best to you for a wonderful, healthy pregnancy and baby!


tamie

 

[Pembo]

Congratulations and good luck with those tests! There is a woman at church who has a 24, 22, and 18 yr old and then Leah, now age 4! She says that Leah is her very special surprise.

 

[Mishetta]

Congratulations!!! New life is a wonderful thing!! I had a (wonderful) "surprise" when I was 42. I actually had a much better pregnancy than when I was 36!

My OB/GYN kept mentioning that as my concerned doctor, he was required to offer me the amnio test but I kept refusing because of the risk factor. (It's supposed to be only at 1 or 2% but I know someone who had several miscarrages & then got pregnant again, had the amnio & miscarried shortly after that & was never able to get pregnant again.)

Just remember, you don't have to have every test the doctor recommends if you plan on bringing the baby to life no matter what anyway. That's why we opted not to have any test that could in any way endanger the baby.

My 2 y/o is really tough to keep after at my ripe old age of 44 but he's my joy. He's so special to me & is such a love bug. I was given a wonderful surprise gift from above!!

Wishing you a healthy & uneventful pregnancy!

 

[always quiet]

No personal advice....I'll be 40 in Aug and I THINK my baby days are over! I'm actually on the 'other' end of the mature mom thing....my mom was 44 when she had me (it wasn't as common back then to have a child at that age). My siblings were 26, 24 and 22 when I arrived. Since your other child is about 4, at least your still 'fresh' to the baby thing!

Good luck with all your testings! Hoping everything goes well! Let us know.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I had my 3rd at 39. It is hard some days being 41 and chasing an active 2 year old. He is a doll and a joy. I did have amnio just for my peace of mind. I am a worrier by nature and it helped me relax and enjoy my pregnancy.

I think the hardest part is juggling 3 children, not my age. The OB nurses told me that they love to see older, more mature mothers.

Congratulations!

Lori

 

[mommystieg]

Thanks, all!! I am still kinda in a state of shock although reality is starting set in since I can't fit in any of my clothes. We had some infertility issues before we conceived DD#2 so we are pretty surprised by this pregnancy. I haven't started to think about what it will be like chasing after 3 kids--I am definitely gonna have to get back in shape or I will never keep up!

Mishetta--I am having a pretty easy pregnancy so far - with the other two I was queasy the entire first trimester - but I don't think I have ever slept so much in my entire life!! I fell asleep the other day and when DH came home from work, I never heard him! He came in, changed clothes and even dropped something on the floor and I never budged. He said he had to check to see if I was still breathing. We are leaving for Disney soon and I am afraid I won't be able to keep up. I told my boss to come around every day at 3 pm to make sure I am still awake. Were you ever that tired or sleepy?

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a 30 y/o, 27 y/o and then a 10 y/o and I'll be 55 in two months!!! I know how you're feeling. The testing wasn't so bad. The amnio wasn't as bad as I thougth is would be. It was really kind of cool once I relaxed. I have found one major truth....don't sweat the little stuff. I learned from my other two childrearing experiences that some stuff just doesn't matter. Of course, dh is a first-time dad and he just can't seem to get that philosophy!! My pregnancy was pretty much the same as the others. I did get pregnancy induced high blood pressure tho. It still hasn't gone down. I also found out why I had had several miscarriages before the last pregnancy....seems that I was going through the 'change'. When I went for my yearly check-up with the ob-gyn I told him 'things' just weren't normal. He did blood work and lo and behold I was done with all that monthly stuff. At 45!!!

My advice...again, don't sweat the little stuff. You know what it is.
Two....try to get your weight down after delivery. I still haven't lost it all. It's murder.
Three....take anyone that offers help up on it!! Every little bit of help is wonderful.

Try not to worry. The tests are all routine. The doctors are so well-versed in these 'late' pregnancies that it's no big deal. Just take care of yourself. Believe me....you deserve it.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I had DS6 at 40, and DS4 at 42. I actually welcomed the testings that the doctors had available-however, I had a CVS instead of an amnio-lower risk and earlier availability. I felt the need to be as informed as possible, so I did it-not too bad, except having to drink a hundred gallons of water and then have the test done-never had to go that bad in my life!! Had the glucose testing, of course, and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes with both sons. Contolled with diet-a pain, but manageable. Don't worry, what you lack in youthful vitality, you gain in WISDOM!!!

I hope everything goes well for you, just remember-you're as young as you feel!

I did, however, take offense to the label "Advanced Age Pregnancy". Sounds fatal, doesn't it??

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Originally posted by hrh_disney_queen
I did, however, take offense to the label "Advanced Age Pregnancy". Sounds fatal, doesn't it??


I remember the first time I saw that on my chart. I about freaked out. I begged my OB to take it off. He just laughed.

Lori

 

[loisg1]

Congratulations!!

My mom was 42 when she had my sister way back in 1967. I was 13 years older than my sister. Mom always said that having Chris at that later age was what kept her young.

Lois

 

[missypie]

Best of luck to you! I had my kids at 32, 34 and 38 and it was a whole lot harder to get up in the middle of the night at 38 than it was at 32! (DH never budged at all!) I bet a lot of your friends are lovin' this, because they can go through the infant stage all over again vicariously (without them being the one to have a kid!)

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Congratulations! Living the life right now--I turned 40 in Feb., and as you can see by my sig., the baby just turned one (and is into EVERYTHING!). The first 2 are 21 months apart--DD is almost 9 and DS is 7--so we never thought we'd have trouble having a third. We'd pretty much given up, when lo and behold! But Celeste is just the love of our lives--everyone, we're just nuts about her.

Because I was "older", I went into the pregnancy thinking, I have to make sure I take care of myself. Fortunately, Buzz was in all-day K (he started literally the day before I took the pregnancy test!), and I'm home full time, so I took a nap every day and also a walk. I opted not to have any of the testing done, jsut had regular ultrasounds, but told the doctor that if anything weird showed up, I would get more tests (not morally opposed, but you know there's a chance of problems, and after our long wait, we knew we weren't going to change our minds). It ended up being my easiest pregnancy! The only problem with that was, I was induced with the first two, and was doing so well, the doctor wanted me to go natural, and I was just paranoid that I would go into labor at home with Belle as my midwife (she could have done it, too, she was reading our EMT books and every adult pregnancy book in the house, knew what an episiotomy was, you name it--it was cute). Fortunately, I went into labor late afternoon with DH home, but we still barely made it to the hospital and the doctor missed the delivery. But, that's the least of my worries, she came out fine.

You're going to do fine, you're probably still in shock. I was amazed at how much baby products had changed in 6 years. Enjoy the pregnancy--it's such a magical time!

 

[mommystieg]

"Two....try to get your weight down after delivery. I still haven't lost it all. It's murder." I know what you mean, goofy4tink, I had just lost 20 of the leftover pounds from DD#1 when I found out we were expecting. I am trying to be really good and only gain baby weight.

"I bet a lot of your friends are lovin' this, because they can go through the infant stage all over again vicariously (without them being the one to have a kid!)" Yeah, I get lots of "glad it's you and not me." I tell them to be careful because you never know what can happen

Thanks for all the encouragement--it always helps to hear about other people's experiences. I think having kids a little later has kept me young, too--when I asked my niece and nephew why they always followed me around they told me it was because I was a cool aunt So far my only major complaint has been about the maternity clothes--everything is short, sheer, sleeveless and clingy. Most of it looks absolutely ridiculous on me

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I had my last ones at 39, 40 and 42. I think the testing makes you crazy. I had amnios with all three of them and the two weeks wait was the worse. I don't think I felt any difference with the pregnancies being "more mature" than I did as a young mom. I did get tired of hearing "advanced maternal age" though. I think it's more psychologically overwhelming to start all over when you thought you were done! THere is 12 years between my 4th and 5th child so we really thought we were done. Add to that I was told the chemo I received would put me into early menoapuse and you have no idea of the shock I felt when I found out I was pregnant with #5. We didn't want her to grow up like an only child so that's why we have #6 and #7. But they really are "Happy surprise". I think they keep you young.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Best wishes to you!!! I'm 36 and have had "baby cravings" lately. Thinking how neat it would be to have another one.

Don't dare to say this to my hubby as he would LOVE to have another.



Keep us updated on your progress. How great, good luck!

 

[Bear Necessities]

Congratulations!! I am mom to 3 now, 36 yrs old and secretly wishing i was you right now. DH wont agree to it though. Enjoy this time, I know you are /will. Belly rubs to you.

 

[stemikger]

Hey congrats,

My wife gave birth to my little girl (now 9) at age 36. But wait, it gets better, my grandmother was 47. In those days that was unheard of.

Today it's pretty common.

My aunt just adopted her first at 48.

Good Luck

 

[Nutsy]

Whilst I can't help out with advice, I really would like to wish you all the very best for yourself & the bub.

I think it's wondeful that you are expecting a third (surprise) child.

I really hope all goes well for you & that you have a healthy pregnancy

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by Mishetta

My OB/GYN kept mentioning that as my concerned doctor, he was required to offer me the amnio test but I kept refusing because of the risk factor. (It's supposed to be only at 1 or 2% but I know someone who had several miscarrages & then got pregnant again, had the amnio & miscarried shortly after that & was never able to get pregnant again.)

Just remember, you don't have to have every test the doctor recommends if you plan on bringing the baby to life no matter what anyway. That's why we opted not to have any test that could in any way endanger the baby.

Ditto to all that! My Dr "suggested" the amnio since I was 36 but I told him it wouldn't make a difference with whatever the results were I was stilll having the baby. If they could do an amnio at 4 weeks then I would consider it but by the time they do it it is way to late to terminate the pregnancy anyway so it didn't matter to me. All they kept saying was "it would tell if the baby had Downs Syndrom"....my thoughts on that were big deal, if the baby has downs it has downs and I will love the baby and deal with it, I don't need advnace notice about it!