Advanced Maternal Age

[Summerblaze100]

I am around 5/6 weeks pg with #4 and I am nearly 38.

Today I've been extremely worried about my age as I've read a few things that include the words Advanced Maternal Age. I guess my biggest worry is that something happens to me during childbirth and then I won't be around for the 3dc I do have. Am I being selfish having another.

Might be just my hormones talking but I've felt a bit of panic tonight.

[cavedescreux]

I had dc4 at 38. Very smooth pregnancy, scans, testing and birth. My consultant told me at booking in "you're still young"! It is overwhelmingly likely that will be well for you too. Just look after yourself as 4 is full on once baby arrives! Good luck!

[yetanotherdeskmove]

I had dc2 at 38 and no one mentioned my age once, it's really not that unusual these days.

[spacefrog35]

I'm nearly 40 & after several years of trying & failing I'm finally 36 weeks with DC1. The only thing that has been said about my age was my consultant recommended discussing with DH if we wanted more & if we did to try again straight away

[MsFiremanSam]

I'm 37 and expecting number three. I haven't given my age a second thought! I'm younger than a lot of my friends who are having their first or second. Im healthy, I don't smoke, and I look after my health. 38 is nothing these days!

[Impatientwino]

I'm 37 and am 39 weeks. I have been and felt so much better in this pregnancy than when I had DS when I was 33. With DS I had all sorts including gestational diabetes and felt generally quite rotten.
Congratulations! Enjoy your pregnancy

[TattieHowkerz]

I'm 16 weeks with #2, and am a little older than you. I have a lot of medical input due to existing health conditions - not age related. It has been made abundantly clear to me that my age is not a problem, that it doesn't add to risk, that having a baby any time in your thirties doesn't cause obstetricians concern.

My friend had her first at 42 and had a little extra monitoring, but even then no one medical was that fussed. I thought from your thread title you were going to be 58 or something! Relax and enjoy your pregnancy

[Gingergen2013]

Just had baby number 2 at 41. Very uncomplicated pregnancy, age only mentioned as a factor when I was recommended to be induced at 40+7 which was never required as I went on to have a wonderful water birth one day overdue. You can never predict what's going to happen, but your age shouldn't be something you're worrying about. Congratulations X

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

Yes it is your hormones :) Congratulations.
There are complications as you get older but you aren't 40+, you've had 3 dc and you have access to good maternity care.

[SecretWitch]

I had my third child at 42. My pregnancy, labour and delivery were all normal and uncomplicated. I made sure to eat well, exercise and see my midwife for my appointments.

[AnaGon]

I was almost 40 when i found out i was pregnant with my first child. i think there are more issues if it's your first. so i took all the checks offered to me, also availed of a panorama at week 9 (not offered on NHS). all good so far, only complication i have is (complete) placenta praevia.

[JessieMcJessie]

What are these "things" you have read? Your medical notes, books, the Internet?

I am 42 so way more "advanced" than you and the midwife only upgraded me to "medium risk" at the end of my booking in appointment when she was about to put me down as low till she remembered what age I was. Even then she wasn't categorical that I wasn't low risk. Consultant was not remotely concerned, put me on daily aspirin to prevent pre eclampsia but said it was just a standard precaution.

[Twitterqueen]

And breathe.....
There is no way i would call you a woman of 'Advanced Maternal Age' at 38! I had mine at 35, 37 and 39 - and for me, it was absolutely the right time and all was (and is) well.

[Highlove]

Quite depressed that at 37 anyone might think I'm of advanced age... (18 weeks with number two.)

[slebmum1]

I was 32 and they classed me as a 'geriatric mother'. I really wouldn't worry about it!

[DontKillMyVibe]

I'm 37 with number one - will be 38 when baby is born. Locum Dr I first saw at the beginning made me feel geriatric and told me I would be considered high risk due to my age etc. Midwife at booking in appointment laughed, told me I was still young and that I'm having a baby at 37 not 47 so have nothing to worry about in relation to my age.

Where have you been hearing/reading this info?

[greenlizard]

I had my first at 45 - very straightforward pregnancy and labour. I am now pregnant again with number 2 at 46. As you would expect I am considered to be of advanced maternal age - you are a positive whippersnapper in comparison 😊