Broody at 43--am I bonkers?

thankyou my dp is terrified of having a downs baby I would have the relevant scans etc can I ask does the amnio cause miscarriage and if so what percentage?

Honestly, Down Syndrome is the only condition which is more likely the older you get. And if that really worries you, you can have the nuchal fold scan and/or CVS to rule it out. There is also a raised chance of miscarriage. Otherwise you stand as good a chance of having a 'healthy' baby as someone half your age. There is so much misinformation about having a baby later in life IMO. I have had a very straightforward time myself - so far!

crossed posts!No we have been thinking about it over xmas and are seeing my cardiac doctor this month my heart was no prob last time though and is not really the issue Aloha I think you are on the right trackas far as dp is concerned!

my dp's main concern is all the hoo haa about abnormality in older mothers.I hadn't really given this too much thought tbh and now that we are seriously considering another he wants to know all the facts and I don't have them!

Are you already pregnant NoddyHolder? How pregnant? You will probably be offered the nuchal fold scan for Down Syndrome, and if you want a CVS or amnio then you could go for one of those. Otherwise pregant is pregnant, really, and though the chance of your baby having DS is a bit higher there are no specific risks to having a baby later on. I had my first at 38 and am due my second, at 41, on 7 Feb, and have been fine. Hopefully my daughter will be as lovely and perfect and gorgeous as my son (which isn't to say that only 'perfect' babies are lovely and gorgeous, of course - and I'm sure she will be perfect to me.)

Hi noddy, hard to say without knowing your overall health picture, but otherwise I don't think you necessarily need anything. You may want to have your rubella status checked, and of course you should be taking folic acid. You could also ask your doctor for referral for:

• blood test to check your progesterone level (i.e. if you are ovulating) and maybe also to check your LH levels (for ovarian reserve - though I think you may be still too young for this as a first line test)
• possibly scan if anything in your history suggests scar tissue/blockage may be an issue
• for your partner, sperm test to check numbers, motility, abnormality

You will probably need to tell a little white lie to get these, by saying you have been trying to get pregnant for at least six months.

Otherwise, there are no particular health issues around getting pregnant at your/our age; it can just take a while longer (Arabica notwithstanding!). So, have a lot of sex, particularly over your fertile period, quit smoking and excessive drinking if you haven't already, and be prepared that it may take longer than your first did.

The ttc thread is really supportive and has a lot of collective wisdom, so you could join us there. Though I'd still like to get an 'old duffers' thread going. Oops, are you there? If not, why don't you start it Arabica?

I am still waiting to see my consultant re no.2 as I have other health issues apart from age although had no probs with last pregnancy.(10 years ago)Could someone please tell me what tests I would need to have this time round and what the implications are?I am 39 BTW

Where is it? Am v keen to join

Yes, do start one, I mean there's no point me telling everyone I'm broody now, is there--I'm up the duff!

Go on, oops, start a thread!

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Late to this but big congrats Decaf, as I said earlier on here I'm 41 and due to have no.2 at the beginning of June. I feel much more confident this time around.
Bradybunches I also had a bit of spotting last week (at 18 weeks) had a check but baby fine. I had spotting right the way through with dd and she is a very lovely 2 3/4 now.All the best

I'm 40 and ttc and I LOVE this thread. Thanks all for sharing your success stories!

Christie, I hope I get a medical team as positive as yours, but am not holding out much hope! I felt the same way about DS and his milestones; the only thing I wish he'd hurry up and move on with is getting his pooing habits sorted. Bradybunches, good luck with the epu, I had an early scan with DS and was rewarded by a clear pic of a little bean leaping around like a maniac.

Lovely to read your story Christie.
Thanks aloha, I'm almost 9 weeks I think, but will call the midwife the gp gave me as a contact to see where my nearest epu is. Still spotting but good to know how common it seems to be.

And yes it is soon, isn't it? Gulp!

Are you six weeks yet? If you are you could pop along to your local Early Pregnancy Unit in hospital and get a scan. I found this reassuring - had one at six and eight weeks. Just to see a bean with a heartbeat was wonderful.

thanks for reassurance aloha and decafarabica. I'm like you decafA, I won't really believe all's well until my first proper scan. Wow aloha that is really soon, so excited for you.

I had spotting and some full on bleeding until I was at least 12 weeks. I'm still very much pregnant at 36 weeks! Baby now due Feb 7th. I'm 41.

I know what you mean about getting hopes up though--I keep getting twinges and although I know they're completely normal, I still won't truly believe I am really pregnant until I have a positive test at the doctors' surgery and even then I still won't believe it until I have had my scan.

I had spotting when I was about 9 weeks pregnant with DS, and had to have an early scan (all was fine--it's quite common, apparently). So if you're worried, ring NHS direct. Good luck.

I am older (40 this month) and due in august 2005. Although I feel miserable today after getting some spotting! Think I was wrong to be so excited so early on, trying to calm myself down and not raise my hopes too high..... all the best to other mature maters .

Yes, I wonder how many others there are on the site?

Congratulations and welcome to the older pregnant women's club . I don't get cravings either and only had nausea at the beginning, never sick.