Is having a baby at 39 much harder than when you're a bit younger?

[Vicola]

Hi,

I'm a newbie here so forgive me if this is a really stupid question but I was 39 in September and in the summer I came off the pill, in a kind of 'if it happens it happens, if it doesn't then it doesn't' sort of way. Turns out it did, I did a test this morning and I'm about 4 weeks pregnant. I felt a bit weird and 'out of sorts' so I wondered if I was and decided to test. I was just wondering if anyone else on here had their first baby around my age and if so, how you found it and if there's anything additional that I should be doing or avoiding? Or if anyone had any general pregnancy tips since I have NO IDEA what I'm doing!

Had my first at 20, last at 36. Had more energy with the first, but much more relaxed with last . Recovery was harder but i think as it was number 3 it kind of takes longer.
I dont think age is relevant, as long as you keep as healthy as you can, but dont stress to much on the odd treat. Make sure to rest when you need it. Listen to your body and instincts. Congratualtions.

I think our bodies are just not as supple at 39 (I had first at 37 and 2nd at 39) and take longer to recover. I had 40 hours of labor followed by an emergency cs for my first and with my 2nd I had a VBAC followed by a postpartum hemorrhage and lots of stitches. If I had it to do all over again, I would have an elective cs for both.... The upside is that you are older and wiser and don't resent the impact having a child has on your life and career as much.

I was referred to as a geriatric Mum at 26 - tossers ! I did make me laugh though.

I have to say that for me giving birth at 38 was much faster and easier than at 30 and 31.

I had my DS at 39 - nothing to compare the pregnancy with, I'm afraid, but it was a fairly straightforward one and I did have a lovely blooming, glowing stage when my skin cleared up and my hair was all shiny etc.

I had my first at 19 and last at 31 (two more in between at 23 and 30)

The first two I found were much easier physically despite the births being harder and longer.
I was much less stressed about things when I was younger but I think the lack of internet played a big part in that, I had two books I referred to and that was it was really winging it. I was probably more spontaneous with our first two, I'm more routine led with my third and fourth but we can afford to do more stuff.

congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cant count.my ds1 = 23..ds2 =8 and i'm =45..couldnt have been far off 39. maybe, anyhow.makes sod all difference.every babys a new one........ you need start at beginning again. everything is different. but your way more ok with that......congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am 47 in two months and have a one year old and a two year old. I don’t feel any more tired than I would have done with two this age when I was in my twenties. I am probably less stressed and calmer as a mum of toddlers in my 40s than I would have been in my 20s. However, fewer of my friends now have very young children (in fact, some close friends are now grandparents!) so sometimes I can feel lonely/isolated even though I have people around me iyswim.
Swings and roundabouts.

My first pregnancy was at 33 my 4th at almost 41 (conceived on my 40th Birthday ...oops). Each birth was C-section. It was much harder to recover from last birth but I also had tubes tied, the anesthesia wore off during surgery and I had other kids requiring my time. Rest as much as you can, accept any offers of help - frozen meals you can reheat are a godsend. As many onesies as you think you'll need, double it ! Good luck and enjoy this time

I had 1st at 35, 2nd at 39.
It's only now I'm in my 50s that I feel my age, but just one more year before youngest is ready to fly the nest.

Long as you reasonably fit n healthy age won't make a difference. Young ones have bad pregnancies as much as old far as I see. I had my 1st at 34 all good but was so stressed with the first time nerves. 2nd at 36- that was exhausting! 2 under 2 was a blur for 2 years. Then had surprise no 3 at 43. Pregnancy was fine same as others & seriously she was so easy we were so chilled & also the big 2 were 9 & 7 so a great help or off at school or doing own thing. Honestly felt more knackered after no 2 due to having the 2 under 2 which would be same any age!

Sorry, Ginseng1, but I disagree. I was very fit and healthy and not stressed at all, but my body truly suffered while pregnant, while giving birth, and for many many years after.

Had my DS 5mths before my 40th last December!
Pregnancy was ok - didn’t really feel any more tiredness than normal.
Birth was fab, straightforward, felt almost completely back to normal straight away. Had a bit of tiredness if he hasn’t slept...certainly not age related though.

I was 38 when I had my third. She's now 7mths . I had the other 2 at 26 and 28. For me I found the pregnancy more tiring and painful. I got inflammation of the rib cartilage which was agony. Had no aches and pains first 2 times! I mentioned to the mw about my age because I'd heard all this nonsense about 'geriatric mothers' over 35 and she more or less laughed at me and said it's not really a concern now until over 40. May be different in my case as third time around and never had any complications before. Saying that, everything was fine, I never needed any extra monitoring or scans and the plus side was the birth was quicker and baby easier. Good luck with your pregnancy 😊

I had DD at 34 and DS at 38. The second pregnancy was much easier (far less sickness) but my body didn’t bounce back the way it did after DD. Also, as others have noted, two is fairly relentless but joyful in many ways. Good luck & congratulations. ps in my corner of SW London, you aren’t deemed to be a “geriatric mother” until 43