Pregnant at 43?!

[Stripypillow]

I haven’t actually taken a test yet because I’m a bit scared to. Mostly because it would be an amazing but terrifying thing to be pregnant! I am 10 days late, and feel pregnant (headachey, sore boobs, sort of strange feeling that I had last time).

DH and I thought we couldn’t have another dc, we were told we had secondary infertility and conceiving naturally would be highly unlikely. DS is 10!

I know I might not even be pregnant. But if I am… anyone else had a baby at 43?! How did it go? I’m terrified for so many reasons! One that I’m not pregnant and have let myself fantasise about it for the last couple of days, another that I am and would miscarry because of my age, another that I am and would feel like an old mum…

I live in an area where women having babies in their 40s is normal. I have friends with babies and toddlers, so wouldn’t be completely left out.

Anyone had a baby at 43? How did it go?

[DragonflyLady]

I had one at 42. Known lots of people have children in their early 40s. Fingers crossed for you x

[Thesunwillcomeoutverysoon]

I had a dc at 43.2. Absolutely uneventful pregnancy..
Ds is a joy.

[Simd1]

My mother did, 30 years ago! No problems.

[ringsaglitter]

Fingers crossed. xx

[Peachescat]

I did! DD now 11 months and just wonderful. 12 yr old DS besotted with her. Also uneventful pregnancy. Best decision we ever made!

[brogueish]

I was 41 when I had my first and only. It all went incredibly smoothly (pregnany and labour). I do feel like an old mum now he's at school, but I don't think I actually do stick out that much. What are you worried about, that's age-related?

[FriedEggChocolate]

I was nearly 42 when I had my youngest. Not quite 9 year age gap. Fingers crossed for you if it's potentially good news.

My DH was absolutely poleaxed when I told him. We have a fab 4 year old now.

[Reugny]

I had my DD when I was 42. She goes to school later this year.

Personally I know women in my family and friends who have had children up to 49.

Some of my SILs have worked in maternity units were women have had children naturally up to early 50s. Though those mothers tended to have lots of previous children.

[wurtle]

My friend got her third one at 45. Other dc were 16 and 18.

[Stripypillow]

@brogueish

I was 41 when I had my first and only. It all went incredibly smoothly (pregnany and labour). I do feel like an old mum now he's at school, but I don't think I actually do stick out that much. What are you worried about, that's age-related?

This sounds probably a bit dramatic, but (assuming I am pregnant and all goes well) mainly I’m worried that if this DC has a baby at 43 also, I’ll be too old to be a helpful grandma! That sort of thing.

[TheFormidableMrsC]

I had one at 42, easy pregnancy and birth and he's a joy, despite me being a lone parent.

[Yesin]

I had DD2 at 42. Had gestational diabetes which was symptomless, but needed monitoring. Baby was a full pound heavier than previous DC, but is fine.

At 41 I got pg but had TFMR due to trisomy 18. Definitely recommend getting a harmony test to put your mind at ease (or take action earlier) as the risk is higher in older mums. Miscarriage risk is also fairly high (never had one myself but my friends have), so we kept quiet about pg until way past 13 weeks.

[LadyJ2023]

My mum was 45 when my little brother now 22 appeared and her pregnancy was fine like her other 3

[CrustySnail]

My friend had older parents (Mum was 45 and Dad was 50) when she was born. She had a baby mid 20's and her mum was a wonderful support, helped with school runs etc. I hope you get the result you want OP. Good luck when you test. 💐

[MigAndMog]

I had mine at 42 and just before my 45th birthday. All was fine. There was lots of monitoring and they wouldn't let me go beyond my due date on either. With my first, I am not that far off the age of some other Mums at the school gate. With my second I am probably the oldest as lots of the kids have younger siblings and younger parents but there is a spread of ages so I don't feel the odd one out. Hope all goes well.

[littlemissalwaystired]

As a midwife let me reassure you it's sooo common now I honestly feel like I have more mothers in their 40s in my caseload than I do 20s.

[Shouldbedoing]

Had my 2nd DC 3 weeks before my 44th birthday. He's 13 now. Chose amnio but there are less intrusive screening options now should you want that. No issues. I had more patience being older, I think - 1st DC at 40. Before contraception evolved, women kept popping out sprogs until late 40s fairly commonly.

[Quisto]

I had my second at 47, completely natural pregnancy, no complications other than morning, noon and night sickness, which I also had with my first 10 years earlier. I did have CVS due to age and took part in a trial for NIPT for the NHS. DS 2 is 11 now, just taken his Sats, very bright and healthy. I recently did several training walks of 12-15 miles with him for a Scouting activity. If it happens, it's meant to be.

[Mariposista]

My friend has her first and only just before her 45th birthday. She swam and walked throughout her pregnancy, and was back in the pool 10 days after his birth. A few extra appointments because of her age but all went brilliantly and she now has a healthy and happy 2 year old.

[LakeTiticaca]

My cousin and my niece bothe had first baby at 42 and all was fine. Healthy bouncing babies 👶 💜

[Pinkplasticbathcup]

It would be a wonderful wonderful gift ❤️
Do a test and come back and tell us!!

[ferntwist]

I have! Easier pregnancy and birth than with my first DC. I went on the exercise bike every day from the second trimester and was 20th a lighter than first time around. Congrats and good luck!

[HammerToFall]

I did last year. Two adopted children and four failed ivfs we were told we could never conceive. My six month is sat playing now. Absolutely perfect. The pregnancy was crap I won't lie but it was the gestational diabetes and an existing stomach ulcer that's caused the problems.