Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Please help me pregnant at almost 46

26 replies

user1483184733 · 31/12/2016 11:59

I'm aged 45; will be 46 in march. No kids and just found out I'm up the duff. Found out on 27th December. I've drank shed loads prior to this and now wish I'd waited to test as I can no longer drink (joke)

On a more serious note I just don't know what to do as I'm told the likelihood of having an "end product" is slim to none. My other half says it's ridiculous to think I could have a first baby at this age and that I'm completely deluded. He thinks we're far too old. I'm feeling reasonably pregnant, but not dissimilar to when I had a miscarriage at age 41. I.e. No morning sickness or aversions. Just sore tits and a bit tired. I can't face a miscarriage again but I'm not sure I could abort. There is no way I would cope with a disabled child having grown up with a severely disabled sister. I'm such a mess please help

OP posts:
gandalf456 · 31/12/2016 12:04

I am the same age as you but have 2 kids. I don't think I would want children either but might feel different if I had none. I do know people who have had children at this age who've been fine so it's possible.

I can't tell you what to do or how to feel but if it were me I'd wait and see what happens. At 46, the NHS will take good care of you and you'll have access to all the tests and scans so don't panic yet

BobbieDog · 31/12/2016 12:05

Congratulations!

How do you feel about having a baby? Would you be happy to have a baby? Not all babies have disabilities from older mums, your scans will tell you alot more.

Ilovecaindingle · 31/12/2016 12:05

Congratulations!! I am so envious! See your gp ASAP and just go with the flow. . Take care of yourself and tell your husband you need support. ..

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1st trimester Families General pregnancy
jimijack · 31/12/2016 12:07

You don't say if you want a child? It's hard to read in your post.
If this was all ok, test show a healthy baby for example, how would you feel?

LotisBlue · 31/12/2016 12:13

Congratulations!

It's a lot to process, give yourself time to clear your mind and work out what you want to do.

Do you know how many weeks pregnant you are? If you are only just due on your period then the embryo will only just be implanting in your womb, meaning that the alcohol won't have had any effect on the baby.

In the meantime get yourself some folic acid today and start taking it - that's one thing you can do to increase your odds of a healthy baby.

Original poster
user1483184733 · 31/12/2016 12:13

Thank you. It came as a bit of a surprise- I really didn't think there was any chance of getting pregnant at my age - well that's what you hear. I'm living proof that you bloody well can. I'm obviously only about 5 weeks or so so still very early. I don't quite know how I feel yet as it all seems surreal. . I suppose the best thing would be is to see the gp and then make an informed decision. I guess all I read is doom and gloom too which doesn't help - miscarriage rates likelihood of downs' syndrome. Also a partner who is ambivalent to say the least...

OP posts:
Original poster
user1483184733 · 31/12/2016 12:16

Thank you

OP posts:
Oliversmumsarmy · 31/12/2016 12:20

I just don't know what to do as I'm told the likelihood of having an "end product" is slim to none

Where on earth did you get that info from?

Friend who lives near me had a perfectly healthy baby boy at 47 and I know a couple of others through friends who had babies at 48 and 50. All conceived naturally.

jimijack · 31/12/2016 12:28

What about your partner? He doesn't sound keen at all.
If everything goes ok, will he be around and involved?

Beebeeeight · 31/12/2016 12:31

Yes the risks are higher but you are still far more likely to have a healthy baby than not.

MollyHuaCha · 31/12/2016 12:35

I think you wd be fine to have a baby. Sounds like your other half needs some time to get his head round it. I wd hope u wd get extra tlc from doctor and midwife during yr pregnancy. And u have the advantage of lots of life experience and possibly greater financial stability than some younger people. When baby comes u will meet other older mums too - many professional women don't even start till late thirties or early forties and they go on to have two or three. On the other hand, if u feel parenthood is not for you, u wd have my full support too. Wishing you lots of luck with whatever you choose Flowers

Original poster
user1483184733 · 31/12/2016 12:55

Thank you all for your help. You're all so kind. I think my other half has got used to just us and the dog and cat. We don't have a ton of money and a small house. He doesn't deal with pressure well and is trying his best to be supportive but thinks he's "telling it like it is" and doesn't really spare my feelings. It's putting pressure on our relationship. God knows. . It seems the general consensus is that I should see the doctor and find out what's what. Even he has agreed to that... meantime we're at a bit of an impasse. Meanwhile he's gone to cycle 40 miles on a bike-you know what they're like x

OP posts:
Iizzyb · 03/01/2017 22:58

Congratulations Flowers I was 40 when I had ds. I would see gp, get a midwife appt and then you would be under the care of a consultant. If there is a choice of hospitals ask mw which is more used to older mothers - the hosp I went to for antenatal care was used to young women - all the older & professional mums were at the other hospital. It made a difference in care as the junior Drs panicked about stuff that the consultant was fine with - jr Drs just saw my age not me as a fit and healthy 40 yr old. I had great care though - lots of extra planned scans etc and I paid for 12 wk scan & extra screening but my ds is 4 and screening has developed massively in the last 5 years so I don't think you necessarily would need to do that.

I would say give yourself time to think about things & get used to things before making any big decisions. Dp may just be in shock.

Good luck whatever you decide xx

Jeanne51 · 17/02/2017 03:26

Congratulations. You are not too old

Malarkin14 · 21/02/2017 19:32

I had a healthy baby aged 42, 21 years after my first child and 19 years after my second! This pregnancy was not planned but I then went on to have a planned 4th baby two years later aged 44. I know I'm extremely lucky to have had 4 healthy babies without problems and have generally been well during pregnancy with no history of miscarriage or still birth. My advice is not to panic or make any rash decisions. Get some professional advice and support. I'm now 54 and my two youngest are 10 and 12 and whilst I can't pretend it's easy keeping up with them, I don't regret a thing. Looks like nature has given you what might be your last chance to be a Mum and it's a big decision you have to make so take your time. Whatever you and your husband/ partner choose to do, and remember it is your choice, good luck.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 21/02/2017 19:57

The GP who writes for the Guardian had a baby at 46 - she wrote quite a lot about it and it's probably still on their website. It's was quite a positive story but obviously she had her reservations too.

Congratulations OP FlowersCake

Girlwhowearsglasses · 21/02/2017 20:35

It's Luisa Dillner and she was 48 here

Angusthewestie · 22/02/2017 07:29

I lost it at six weeks. I'm just a bit too old I think.

Girlwhowearsglasses · 22/02/2017 12:43

very sorry to hear that.
Flowers

SuzanT127 · 02/04/2017 22:53

Hello. I'm Suzanne. Don't despair. You can take on board a million opinions and few will be the same, because we all have a very different experience and background circumstances. I like pink because it's bright, you like brown because it isn't, etc.......I wanted to be a mother all my life, but when it happened, aged 54 - (yes, you heard right.....54!), it actually wasn't all it was cracked up to be!....(Despite what all the "Earth Mums" might tell you). The little angels are amazing - (WHEN they're little angels). But they can also be little demons, and unfortunately, the latter usually outweighs the former and you, unsuspecting middle aged dreamer, get the biggest shock of your life!! My HEART wants to say NO!! DON'T DO IT! YOU'RE TOO F.....IN OLD!!! But my head says: We are all different. What has turned out to be a very hard road for me, may be absolutely the best thing for you! IRRESPECTIVE OF YOUR AGE! It's just important to be true to yourself and never go into a humongous decision like this for someone else or, for fear of time constraints. This HAS to be 100% for you! If there is doubt....there's no doubt. I'm here if you would like to contact me personally. Just let me know. I'm not very proficient at this on line stuff and I read everything, respond to very little. My heart just went out to you.

Angusthewestie · 04/04/2017 08:32

Thanks Suzanne - you really had a baby aged 54. Was that a natural conception or donor egg? I have given up now pretty much. Thank you for your kind and wise words. You sound like you're very grounded and your kids are lucky to have you

Floozie66 · 04/04/2017 08:36

Just had my 3rd at 45 last month - all is good - no health issues (me or baby). Made the right decision for our family as was worried that 45 was too old to have another baby . Hope it is all going well for you

JammyTodger · 04/04/2017 08:49

Congratulations! I had my 2nd at 46. It's bloody exhausting but we are both healthy and happy, despite me having a few risk factors which stacked the odds against a successful pregnancy.
My DH wasn't entirely on board when I got pregnant first time at 40, but having kids has genuinely been the making of him. From someone who just wasn't interested in kids he is now an amazing Dad.

SleepFreeZone · 04/04/2017 08:52

Zombie thread guys

fluffy71 · 06/01/2018 19:40

I too am in your situation but slightly older. I will be 47 in April and found out I was pregnant 3 weeks ago. I have very reluctantly decided to have a termination, with the Xmas break the earliest consultation I could get was this Mon. Its heartbreaking and I am in turmoil by the situation, but I have some health issues that mean the pregnancy would likely be dangerous for me and the baby.
My husband is adamant that we couldn't cope with anymore (have 3 already) but I think if you have no health issues then go for it.
Sorry if appearing maudlin but very sad.