37 yrs 11 mths, 5 weeks pg with first baby!

[willthecatbejealous]

Wow It was planned but didnt expect it to happen after only 2 months of trying. 2 x BFP on Tuesday 12/01.

Conceived Xmas Day and baby due around 16th Sept. MD appt 27th Jan.

Now, what can I expect as an older Mum, are there more tests than normal?
Will I be classed as high Risk?
Do I have to have all tests even if the risk of MC is high?

Symptoms so far, sore, heavy boobs, 40D now so god knows what size I will end up with!
Weeing in the middle of the night then cant get back to sleep for thinking silly thoughts.

Most worrying symptom so far is lower period like pains, however no spotting so I guess thats good, right?

Any hints, tips, advice, stories all much appreciated. Im in West Yorks by the way.
Thanks for reading and good luck to you all :0

[willthecatbejealous]

Wow It was planned but didnt expect it to happen after only 2 months of trying. 2 x BFP on Tuesday 12/01.

Conceived Xmas Day and baby due around 16th Sept. MD appt 27th Jan.

Now, what can I expect as an older Mum, are there more tests than normal?
Will I be classed as high Risk?
Do I have to have all tests even if the risk of MC is high?

Symptoms so far, sore, heavy boobs, 40D now so god knows what size I will end up with!
Weeing in the middle of the night then cant get back to sleep for thinking silly thoughts.

Most worrying symptom so far is lower period like pains, however no spotting so I guess thats good, right?

Any hints, tips, advice, stories all much appreciated. Im in West Yorks by the way.
Thanks for reading and good luck to you all :0)

[Fleecy]

I've no idea on the 'older mum' thing but wanted to say congratulations

16th Sept is my DD's birthday!

Presumably you're missing your period around now - could cause cramps?

[willthecatbejealous]

Hi Fleecy, thanks for the congrats

yes period was due over a week ago, I have a 24 day cycle.

Someone else has suggested the cramps could be my uterus stretching as well. So the mind boggles

[bogwobbit]

Congratulations.
I had dd when I was 41 so compared to me you're just a bairn
Statistically you are an higher risk, I suppose but there's no reason why you shouldn't have a healthy, happy and successful pregnancy. As for tests, you don't have to have any tests you don't want to. I had CVS but that was a personal choice.

[IsItMeOr]

Congratulations! I had DS when I was 37 and 9 months, so very similar.

You will be officially classed as an older mum, but I don't think I can recall anything specific being done because of that. Everybody is offered the same tests so far as I know, and it's up to you whether you opt in or out of them.

I was told the same thing about the cramping being your "bits" stretching. It settles down after a little while. We found the dummies guide to pregnancy helpful for explaining these kinds of things.

Hope you have a good pregnancy.

[Fleecy]

Love your name BTW - if it helps, my cats were terrified of my babies. I'm sure that's your primary concern with the whole parenting lark

[NotAnOtter]

congratulations
great name - i had ds when 38 and another when 40 so you are a bairn. West Yorkshire also here and hints where??

[IsItMeOr]

Sorry - didn't register your name until I saw Fleecy's comment.

If the cat has been your surrogate baby as long as ours had (10+years), then the answer is probably yes. Poor thing doesn't get much of a look in these days, and always seems to be meowing noisily at the wrong times...plus terrifying how she runs under your feet, which you just can't see any more when you're carrying a baby.

Would it be more reassuring if I said it will all be fine ?

[seeker]

I was 37 when I had my first - nobody ever mentioned my age. I chose not to have any tests apart from nuchal fold - nobody put any pressure on me to have any or gave me any sort of a hard time.

You don't have to have any tests you don't want to - YOu are in control, not The Man!

[Two4One]

Congrats!! You're far from old! But, yes, they will class you as an "elderly primigravida" - what a lovely expression. Just means ancient first-time Mum! It applies to anyone over the age of 35 I believe so don't be too offended. As for tests, the others are quite right, they will be offered but you can do as you please. Your age is factored into the results for things like Down's but really the risk is so tiny that you shouldn't worry about it at all.

How exciting for you! Apart from the sore boobs and stretching pains (both very normal at 5 weeks)...

[Rindercella]

Congratulations! DD1 was born when I was 37, and I am now expecting DD2 who should be born around 6 weeks before my 40th b'day (she's due in March)

Wrt to tests, I think it largely depends where you are in the country. With DD1 I had to pay for a nuchal scan - didn't have any extra tests as the risk was so low. With DD2 my HA offered the nuchal scan on the NHS. Again, risk was very low so I have had no further tests.

Good luck with it all. Very occasionally I wish I was a few years younger, but I think that has something to do with being 7 months pregnant & having a very active toddler keeping me occupied

[WhiteRoses]

Congratulations! I too, conceived on Christmas Day (I think) and estimated due date at the moment is September 17th. Very similar!

I'm only 24 but just to put things into perspective for you... My gran had a baby at 42, her sister had one at 41 and her sister-in-law had one at 48. Nobody worried about it or thought it unusual - a few years ago in Catholic Ireland, that was nothing at all out of the ordinary!

So again, congratulations!

As for symptoms, I haven't had anything unusual happen with my boobs at all yet. Think I might be peeing a bit more but not enitrely sure if I'm just more conscious of it! Have had cramps though. Very scary. I keep getting it into my head that I'm bleeding and having to go and check. Even in Tesco the other morning, I was in the milk aisle and suddenly started to panic, thinking I'd felt wetness... Abandoned the trolley and went straight to the loo - nothing! It makes me sound so mad, but I can't help being paranoid! I suppose it's quite natural really...

[JollyPirate]

I was 37 when I had DS (he's 7 now) and they offered me an amnio but that was about all that was extra. I didn't have one because I'd had years of infertility.

Congratulations to you.

The cramping is the womb stretching and growing - it won't last.

As for your cat - well mine was my baby before DS and she hated him so stayed well away. We still had lots of fusses and cuddles when DS was asleep though.

[randomimposter]

was 40 and 3 months when DS1 was born (conceived without trying ), and was anticipating getting a few "why did you leave it so late you ancient mare" from midwife or any of the medical professionals I came into contact of it.... none of it, my midwife said I was very typical... (guess it depends where you are - I'm in Brighton, think maybe there ARE older mums down here).

Am 42 next month and am 5+4 with #2...(due 15/10) had a MMC (conceived first month of TTC) last summer so am taking NOTHING for granted this time, but very excited to be pregnant again...took me 4 cycles this time (and if all goes well, would LOVE a third... but let's not get ahead of ourselves!)

Had forgotten, but yes lower pains are normal, and are the uterus stretching for it's new role!

Good luck and enjoy it all.

[randomimposter]

PS have 5 cats... most stay away from DS after a curious initial sniff when he first arrived... one of them is very patient with all the chasing and "stroking" that happens now... think they have all had their noses put out of joint a little... but probably not a bad thing - they were ruling the roost!!!!

[blacksmith]

Snap!!

I too conceived around Christmas Day, due 20th Sept, 3 days after DH birthday.

I'm 37, 6 months and 29 days and this will be my first, fingers and all other bits crossed.

No major problems apart from sore boobs, and I was already a 36G so will need some scaffolding soon!

My cat has also been a lot more affectionate of recent...wonder if she knows.

I have my first hospital appointment on 8th feb so will be following your progress closely, and no doubt asking lots of questions

Good to meet a fellow older mum!

[NotAnOtter]

jollster - not wanting to sound stalkerish but if you are already 5 plus weeks - your baby must be due in spetmeber not october i think!

[randomimposter]

thank you notanotter, do you think I can blame pregnancy brain.... do you mean September is NOT the tenth month...? Doh, yes, 15/9.... ...

[NotAnOtter]

one of the many plus es of pregnancy - ability to blame any intellectual failing on hormones for AT LEAST 18 months

[willthecatbejealous]

Hi all

lovely to read your comments, I am based in Leeds (NotAnOtter) and my EDD has been more or less confirmed as the 17th September today by the midwife.

I am now 6+1 and had first appointment with her today. She took my blood pressure (normal) weighed me (no comment) but only just escaped the GTT test for diabetes (gulp).

Got my maternity pack etc and had a good long chat with her. Booked to see her again in 5 weeks, hopefully a week before the 12 week dating scan.

Flu jab early Feb (really looking forward to that- NOT.

Tests wise, she was very supportive in what I wanted. She actually recommended not having the 3in1 as states it will almost certainly come back as high risk due to my age and says it ruins a lot of pregnancies (as in making you worry and anxious) for first time mums.

So am going for the Nuchal fold test (privately) as it seems they dont offer that test on the NHS in Leeds. I have to have that between 8/12 or 13 weeks and that will give you a much more accurate result.

What ever the result wont make any difference to me or my partner.

As for my puddy cat she will always be my liccle kitty (she is 9 in April) and she runs when she hears kids of any age so after September I am guess I wont be seeing her that much unless its for cuddles when the munchkin is asleep. Luckily we have a large house so she can escape for peace whenever she wants.

Anyway thats my update for now, thanks for listening and GL to you all xx