OT- Babies Over 35?

[WantToGoNow]

My son was born just before my 35th birthday (2 weeks) and my daughter was born when I was 37.5. Both kids are fine and I had no serious problems during pregnancy. I did notice a difference in my energy level between the two. It could have been that I had a small child to chase the second time but I was exhausted the entire pregnancy. In my opinion children are worth it -- even if they do have special needs. I would love to have another -- but my dh won't budge. I had a tubal two years ago (on my oldest daughters 21st birthday) and would have to have that reversed - with no guarantee that I could get pregnant. I'm 42 now.

T.

 

[badblackpug]

I have a friend who was told she could never have children, and therefor, never used birth control. At the age of 42 she found herself pregnant. (same husband all along) at 43 she had her 2nd. She had some preclasmpsia with #2 but both kids were/are big and healthy!

 

[alexy]

I had my first 2 in my early 30's and my 3rd at 37. The only issue I ever had was a bit of high blood pressure, but that was with my 1st. The 3rd was pleasantly normal.

At times I think that the caution we all hear about for pregnancies over 35 is a bit overkill. I believe that there's a bit higher risk, but in general it's very safe. I myself decided against genetic testing. My mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and many before them had perfectly healthy babies after 35 and some into their 40's. I was generally in good health and my husband and I felt, all things considered, it was not an issue that we should be concerned about in our case

 

[karinbelle]

I'm 38 and just had a beautiful little girl. My pregnancy this time around was easier than when I was 30. Everyone is completely healthy and happy. My best friend (same age) is about to have a girl in July (also - everyone healthy so far).

We will probably try for another one in a year. Hope this helps.

We did have a three year adventure trying to get pregnant. Turned out my heavy periods were a sign of polyps in my uterus. They were taking up space and the egg could not implant. The first month after taking care of this problem (with medication and a small out-patient procedure), we were pregnant!

Now, just to lose the weight I'm gaining because of staying home for a few months and not walking as I did in my job.

 

[freckles and boo]

I had my second child (and last, barring any "surprises") five years ago at age thirty-five. She is a beautiful child with high-functioning autism. Considering that nobody knows what causes autism, I can't begin to blame my "advanced maternal age" or my husband's age. He is actually a year younger than me! The only reason I wouldn't consider (intentionally) having any more kids is that between her and her sister I have my hands very full. They are active and busy and keep their old mom on her toes. I am also happy to be in that next stage of parenting. We have retired the Pull-ups and sippy cups!!! I don't miss them.

 

[MommaPooh217]

I had my 3rd child DD 7 (almost 8) when I was 36 and my 4th child DD 4 when I was 39 both are happy and healthy as you can see. I also have DS 23 and DD 20 ( we spaced them apart just a little )

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Blessed Be,
Tina

 

[mommytomy3]

I had # 3 at age 34 and #4 at age 36 1/2.. both were healthy and great pregnancies. I had amnios with both. My mother had my sister and brother at 43 & 44.

 

[blessedby3]

Im expecting #4 right now (found out today its a ) and I am 40 Ill be 41 a few months after the baby is born.
Cant believe that I am really that old and having a baby, but this was a planned pregnancy. We always wanted 4 until we had #3 who is a handful. Figured I would be done at 3, but then we decided to go ahead for that fourth. Happened on the first try. That never happened with the others so I figure this is supposed to be.
Our other kids are DD17, DS11 and DD8. I will have a senior in high school down to a newborn!! Talk about a varying bunch of issues to deal with.
This pregnancy has been normal like the others and everything seems to be fine. Opted not to have the amnio. I am a bit more tired, but I know that has more to do with caring for 1 husband, 3 children, 1 dog and 1 cat everyday. I just try and rest when I can.
I was a bit scared to have another because of my age, but I am glad we did it. We are so excited for this little girl to get here.

 

[Starr W.]

Had my eldest at 32 and my second at 35. Did the amnio with #2 and to be honest I felt better during the second pregnancy. Don't ask about delivery, first one got "stuck"(he was big lenthwise) and 2nd was breech, so I had c-sections with both. I recovered from them rather quickly.

My MIL was 44 when she had my husband, my DM was 40 when she had my sister.

 

[brytorlyn]

I had my first DS at 22, second DD at 26 and final DD at 36. All healthy and fine. Had pre-eclampsia with the first, almost 6 months of all-day sickness with the second and gestational diabetes with the third. Each pregnancy had it's challenges but I would say the one at 22 was as hard as the one at 36! the easiest was the middle child.

With an over 35 pregnancy be sure to get a good OB-GYN. I had a doctor that was very thorough and well recommended. They did every test out there from genetic counselling to the amnio to an ultra sound that involved special tests to be sure that the babies heart was well formed. I had about a dozen regular ultra sounds. I saw the doctor once or twice a week ( to monitor the diabetes) and had to take insulin twice a day from 14 weeks on.

The final result was a beautiful very healthy 7lb little girl. Worth every annoying moment of the tests I had done. You have to do what you have to do to ensure the baby's health.

I now have a 20 year old in 2nd University, a 16 year old in grade 10 and a 6 year old in kindergarten. Keeps me young!!! And in some ways this is the easiest child to care for because I have a lot of help. I have built in sitters and helpers. This child is really being raised with a lot of love from many sources including being the little sweetheart of all her siblings friends!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I had three after 35. One at 39, one at 40 and one at 42. All healthy and happy!

 

[laughinplace199]

I just had baby #3 at age 38. He was healthy and so am I. No problems whatsoever. Our other two kids are 7 and 5 and we thought we were done, but I really wanted one more. Now when I look at him, he gives me a big gummy smile and I melt. Then I think, what if we didn't go for #3? Now that he's here it's weird for me to think that he almost never existed.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[jenjersnap]

I was 37 when my littlest guy arrived. I had a fantastic homebirth (my first). I opted to do the first trimester blood screen because of past history (I had a stillborn baby girl with a fatal heart defect in 2002 and my second DS has another unrelated heart problem. We're unlucky but it has NOTHING to do with age since chromosomes have been normal on both babies).

Anyway, at 12 weeks, you get bloodwork and an U/S that measures the nuchal fold - great indicators of trisomy - then a Level 2 U/S at a perinatalogist at 19 weeks. Those results assured me that I didn't need to proceed further.

I am toying with the idea of one more - not sure, but again my age is not the biggest factor in my decision.

My MIL was 46 when my DH was born and he is perfectly normal (ok, relatively normal ).

 

[Karebear]

I was living in San Francisco when I became pregnant with my first--I had him when I was 37-almost 38. There are so many older moms in San Francisco, that I didn't even think about it. Most women in my office waited until at least 35 if not 40. I had amnio and everything was fine. The pregancy went well. After my son was born, I wanted another, but was not sure due to my age. We decided to try again and I had a healthy little girl 2 months after I turned 39. The one advantage to having little kids when you are older is that most people assume that you are younger than you really are Good luck with your decision.

 

[SandrainNC]

I think the biggest risk is Downs, but Downs kids are still blessings.

Amen to that!! I would not trade my baby (ok not such a baby anymore) for anything!!!

All babies are blessings, even when they are not "perfect".

Sandra

 

[JamesMom]

Haven't read all the posts, but I had my first at 35 and my second at 38 and we're done! Pregnancies, births and babyhood was uneventful (other than the events themselves!). Talk to your doctor before and see what he/she thinks.