Surprise pregnancy at a ripe old age...scared

[GoodGawdAlmighty]

Period is a few days late. Felt nauseous this morning, so decided to do a test, thinking 'this is very very unlikely...but I do feel a bit weird...so...'

Anyway, it was positive. No contraceptive failure that we knew of, but obviously there has been.

I'm 39. DH is 51. Our DC are 12 and 8. We had definitely decided we didn't want any more children after DC2 was born. DH had been looking into getting the snip. God, we are both old. Well, DH is old (sorry ).... Yet after the initial shock this morning, I feel strangely happy and excited.

Are we too old? Am I mad to be feeling a bit crazily excited? Can I do this to my old geezer? Seriously...need some words of wisdom, as my head is spinning.

[GoodGawdAlmighty]

I should add, DH doesn't know yet. Away for work until Friday. He is a lovely man and I know he will manage whatever we do, but I feel strangely guilty...I dont know why, exactly.

[WifOfBif]

You're not too old at all! Can I whisper a little congratulations?

[NorksAreMessy]

Presumably, he knows where babies come from? I think I might be more worried about the 12 year old's reaction :)

A big congratulations from me

[Canshopwillshop]

Congratulations! I was 40 when I had my DD and 42 when I had DS . My DH is 4 years older than me. We don't feel old and have quite a few friends in a similar position. Good luck with your pregnancy.

[BreakfastLunchPasta]

God, no - you're not too old!

Congrats :o three is the magic number, you know!

[elephantoverthehill]

Wow! My Mum had a little surprise too at the age of 40. Well actually two little surprises. I had my DD at a similar age. It is great news and keeps you staying fitter.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I was 40 and DH 53 when we had DD

[SirChenjin]

Congratulations!!

You're not too old at all - I was a week off 38, DH was 44 when DS3 (also a surprise) was born. My friend is currently in labour with a surprise aged 42 (her husband is 40). Late babies are ace - and very much adored by everyone whose baby making days are coming a close

[mayhew]

Dear God woman, it's no age!
I'm a midwife and the two oldest clients I had with surprise babies were 50 and 53.
My friend's mother had a surprise at 45. 20 years after her sterilisation.......

[bonzo77]

My mum was 39, dad was 42, I was very nearly 15 and my brother was 12. And then came The Baby. We all survived. It's been hard though, my parents' marriage had always been rocky. The Baby gave my mum a chance to start over: she went to uni, got a career. My parents split, then got back together. It's not been easy. But it might not have been regardless of The Baby (he's 23).

[Ratbagcatbag]

I have an old dh too he was 49 when our dd arrived. He reckons she keeps him young. He's now 52 and loves it.

[cece]

I had my last one when I was 42 so no you're not old!

[cocochanel21]

Congratulations

I had dd2 at 38 also a surprise.

I have a 23YEAR age gap between my dds that really makes me feel OLD.

[ispymincepie]

My older dcs have been fab with my dc3. Even 12yo ds! Dd is like a second mummy, she's 9yo. Lovely age gaps actually, congratulations!

[winkywinkola]

Old? You're so not old. I had dc4 at 42. Big congratulations!

[MrsArchchancellorRidcully]

I had DD at 35 and DS at 39. You're not old at all (though be prepared for sucked teeth all round from HCPs (if you live near me anyway))

[Travelledtheworld]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing with us !
I was 39 when I had my youngest. You will be fine.
Hugs, and hope your DH is happy too ( bet he will be very proud...)

[FirstWeTakeManhattan]

You're young normal in my social group! I was 42 and DH 51 when I had DC3. Congratulations.

[f1ddlesticks]

Just got my BFP at nearly 39, DP is 48! Congrats!

[BennyTheBall]

39 isn't that old! My friend is 43 and pregnant with her third.

[Bisghetti]

What a surprise! Definitely not too old - I'd say your now closer to the average age of my friends when they had their first baby than you were when you had the other two. Around here you'd have been odd for having a child in your twenties!

[liinyo]

That is great news. 39 is not too old at all. I don't know anyone this has happened to who hasn't been delighted with the surprise addition to the family. I hope your DH feels the same way, Congratulations.

[LeaLeander]

You're not physically too old. But if I were him my heart would sink at the notion of having a child in college when I was in my 70s. That's a long slog. How will it affect your planning for retirement, travel, finances, helping elder relatives, etc? If the child were disabled or special needs and unable to be independent, how would that affect your own older years? And the siblings.

As others have said, though, I guess if the prospect really worried him he could have done something about it in advance.

[afussyphase]

I was nearly 9 when my brother was born, and our mum was 40. I'm glad he exists (DB)! We all are. Congratulations!