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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Age 38 & pregnant

31 replies

Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 06:29

Hi! I’m new here - I believe, I think I could be pregnant. I’m 38 though. I’m wondering if anyone else on here is late thirties and what extra appointments or checks the doctors do due to the later age? Thanks!

OP posts:
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NotMaryWhitehouse · 31/01/2021 06:49

@Sunshine1982flowers211111

Thank you everyone for replying it means a lot as I’m an emotional wreck at the moment and the nausea is bad. I’ve got pregnacare Max - should I take vitamin D as well? I’m such a worrier about everything. Everything little twinge or even slight cramp is making me worried!!
I have to warn you, it doesn't stop- I cried and cried throughout with exhaustion, nerves and excitement. Now he's here, I'm still crying because of all the above AND now the switch in hormones! 🤪🤣

It's a wild ride!

Thattwatoverthere · 30/01/2021 13:08

Congratulations!

I was 37 and 38 when I had mine. No extra checks nor mention of my age. I may have had more aches and pains than if I were in my twenties but nothing too horrendous. All worked out totally fine Smile

I tested every week on a digital but gave up after about 3 weeks. I had a couple of private scans along with an early reassurance scan which I think helped my anxiety (previous MMC).

Moominmiss · 30/01/2021 13:06

@Sunshine1982flowers211111 my low dose aspirin is because of my previous miscarriages. There are studies that show aspirin can help in thinning the blood making it less sticky which in turn helps the pregnancy to stick.

MySocalledLoaf · 30/01/2021 13:01

I was 38 and was the youngest on the ward after having the baby. Everyone else was over 40.

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 12:56

@Moominmiss aww many congratulations on your pregnancy and I so am sure it will all go well xx that’s amazing they could detect a heartbeat 💓 I’m taking the multivitamin and have been craving orange juice actually! Could I ask why you’re taking aspirin? Sorry for sounding thick and not knowing!

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Moominmiss · 30/01/2021 11:02

Hi, I’m 38 and currently just under 6 weeks pregnant after 4 miscarriages in the last 12 months.

It was a lot harder to get here at this age that it was for me to have my children back in my 20’s. But I’m here and so far so good.

Because of my recurrent losses I am taking a low dose of aspirin daily, along with a high dose folic acid and high dose of vit d.

I was given an early reassurance scan yesterday at 5+5 and saw a heartbeat which is the best we’ve had so far.

I’ve noticed yet referred myself to the midwife as I have another scan booked for 7 weeks so want to get past that before getting my booking in appointment sorted. But when I got pregnant at 37 (made it as far as 9 weeks), my midwife wasn’t concerned about my age. Although I do know the combined screening for downs risk will automatically be quite high due to maternal age. But we have decided to pay for the harmony testing.

I will be consultant led this pregnancy, but that’s because my previous babies were all born by c section.

Congratulations! Don’t worry, enjoy it!!

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 10:41

You ladies on here are so helpful xx it’s really helping being able to talk on here x thank you!!

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PedrosPony · 30/01/2021 09:30

Congratulations! I'm 39 and 9 weeks pregnant. I haven't been advised of any extra checks yet but it's not my first. I have been told I can still have a home birth, my age doesn't affect that.

MrsSmith2021 · 30/01/2021 09:24

Congrats! I tested daily for about 7-10 days I think it was. Once a day is sufficient. And I kept all the tests and photographed them in a row to confirm the darkening of the line x

Snally82 · 30/01/2021 09:22

No that should contain what you need :)

The trimester was when I was worried the most too, we had an early reassurance scan which helped. But most important, just remember all those things are normal!

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 09:16

Thank you everyone for replying it means a lot as I’m an emotional wreck at the moment and the nausea is bad. I’ve got pregnacare Max - should I take vitamin D as well? I’m such a worrier about everything. Everything little twinge or even slight cramp is making me worried!!

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Blughbablugh · 30/01/2021 09:09

I'm currently 38 and pregnant with my second baby. I have noticed no difference to my first. No extra scans or appointments and my midwife has no concerns about my age at all.

NotMaryWhitehouse · 30/01/2021 09:06

Congrats OP, I'm 40 and I just had my first, it's amazing!

I took vitamin D throughout my pregnancy, so I'd get some of that alongside your folic acid, if you find the pregnancy-specific ones turn your stomach, as they did mine.

twinnovice · 30/01/2021 08:55

Def stop with the tests. I did them for about a week and then my sister told me firmly to stop! You are pregnant, levels start to dip at some point anyway so it's best to just leave it be. It feels like an age till the first scan but you'll start to get used to it soon! Also top tip take the preggo Vits at night! I was never actually sick when pregnant just felt nauseous but the one time I took my vitamins in the morning I threw up on the street!!

sylbunny · 30/01/2021 08:50

I'm 38 & pregnant with my second. It's not been a factor at all. No additional appointments! I'm so have them for other reasons but age isn't one of them.

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 08:08

Thank you guys! This is all so helpful StarSmile

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Pootle40 · 30/01/2021 08:08

Had my second son two months before my 39th birthday. Age was not mentioned, standard checks.

Snally82 · 30/01/2021 08:06

Congrats! I’m 20 weeks today and have just turned 39. As others have said, unless you have any health issues or concerning family history, there are no additional appointments etc.

I personally chose to pay for a NIPT screening as chromosome disorders are more likely the older you get.

Rayna37 · 30/01/2021 07:40

Yes stop testing! I just took one test (and it was a Home Bargains one at that!) in fact it's the only pregnancy test I've ever taken. Would have been about 6 weeks at that point but as it was my first month off the pill I wasn't actually sure when my period would have been due. I was 37.

Dowermouse · 30/01/2021 07:40

Nothing extra here, age was never mentioned. I'd imagine you'll get all the standard appointments of a first pregnancy. I don't concider 38 old, pretty normal in my family. Extra checks seem to come in at 40+.

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 07:30

Also I don’t know if I should try to relax and stop doing this now but I’ve been testing literally like 3 times a day as I’m concerned my hcg levels will drop. Did you just take a test and then think I’m pregnant and leave it at that?

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Oysterbabe · 30/01/2021 07:25

I had my last baby at 37. My age wasn't mentioned at all, completely normal.

Original poster
Sunshine1982flowers211111 · 30/01/2021 07:22

Thank you & congratulations to you guys too Star that’s made me feel a bit more comforted thanks so much! X

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Sexnotgender · 30/01/2021 07:11

30 weeks not 38 weeks pregnant.

Sexnotgender · 30/01/2021 07:10

I’m 38 and currently 38 weeks pregnant.

Zero mention of my age, no extra appointments due to it.