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Pregnant at 42, battling with having termination!

175 replies

crunchy3 · 31/08/2010 09:25

Quick background, am 42 and DH is 49, have 2 DS's - DS1 age 12 (conceived by 3xIVF) and DS2 age 6 (adopted as baby). Have had over 17 yrs unexplained fertility so both sons were 'very much wanted'. About a year ago, suddenly found out I was pregnant, completely gobsmacked however turned out be complete molar (quite rare) and so was over by 8 weeks. Docs were amazed, was tested for 6 months due to molar and then given all clear. Periods stopped, had more blood tests and was told was in perimenopause and that the pregnancy was probably my body's last burst of fertility. However found out over 2 weeks ago, 2 days before we were due to go abroad for a fortnight that I was pregnant again. Just couldn,t believe it, no way could it happen again, rushed up hospital for scan and was told everything normal, heartbeat seen and approx 7 weeks pregnant. In shock and denial, pleaded for a termination before my hols but obviously they couldn't do this at such short notice. Booked me in for counselling in 3 wks time because of hols and termination following week. Have just returned from hols and body has changed so much in the last couple of weeks. Have all the pregnancy symptoms and am just so gutted. Have spoke to DH and we both feel we are too old to contemplate going ahead. Am now getting a bit of independence as children are growing up. Have been doing school run for last 8 years and just cannot imagine starting all over again. DH admits he feels old being a dad to a 6 yr old as all his friends etc are now grandparents so cant imagine what he would be like with a new born. Also marriage isn't fantastic at the mo, hasn't been for sometime although not noticeable so much at home as both do our own things ,however did notice on hols how little we now have in common, prob only the children. On the plus side, cant help thinking that this could be a gift and was meant too find out a couple of days before hols so couldn't rush out and get termination. To fall pregnant naturally for me after this time is just un believeable. However there are so many things on the minus side, I suppose the main one being I just cant visualise me starting all over again now. Feel like DS2 would miss out as he is only 6 so still needs a lot of attention, and also think that I may resent having baby in years to come, when I am 50 I will have a 7 year old and by then all my friends children will have grown up and I think I would feel quite isolated and alone. I know it sounds selfish but I have got to think of the future as well. Keep debating whether to have CVS in case something is wrong so can warrant termination, but then if it comes back normal am still in the same situation, only further along which makes it even harder. Would welcome any advice/opinions, will not be offended in anyway as feel completely heartless. Just need to sort my head out as having been going round and round for nearly 3 weeks and seems to be getting worse!

OP posts:
comtessa · 13/09/2010 15:16

Congratulations on making a decision that you are at peace with. Am getting goose-bumps. Wishing you all the best and every blessing for all your futures. xxx

BackOnceAgain · 13/09/2010 15:24

Oh wow, I too have nearly cried at this Smile I've followed your thread as my Mum had 2 dc (me and dbro)then a 14 yr age gap before having my dsis at 42. My dsis in question is just doing her A levels right now, and we're all very close as a family. Good luck with everything Smile

lucielooo · 13/09/2010 16:02

Been following this thread crunchy but not posted yet. I am so pleased to hear that you and DH came to the same decision.

Wishing you both lots of luck and happiness with your pregnancy :)

LouMacca · 13/09/2010 16:14

Have lurked on this thread. Just wanted to send you hugs and wish you a very happy and healthy pregnancy. Good Luck Smile

JustGettingByMum · 13/09/2010 16:17

I too have been watching this thread but didn't feel I could contribute.
Best wishes to you and your family.So pleased for you all.

Poppet45 · 13/09/2010 16:31

Been following too but not posting and am so delighted for you. May the future be a wonderful one for you all.

Irishchic · 13/09/2010 16:45

Sending you good wishes OP, a happy and healthy pregnancy and best of luck with your future plans. x

amistillsexy · 13/09/2010 17:05

Crunchy, I am so pleased that you and your DH have reached a mutual decision. You can now move forward from a position of strength.
Good luck with the pregnancy . Smile

pinkgrasshopper · 13/09/2010 17:13

I am sitting in my office with tears running down my cheeks. I haven't posted on this thread as have absolutely NO experience of your situation and felt others were able to offer much better support, but followed your story closely. I am so pleased for you, your DH and children. Wishing you the very best for the future.

sedgiebaby · 13/09/2010 17:15

crunchy3 just read your post from 14:21:06 and welled up...what an emotional few weeks for you, I just want to wish you and your family all the very best.

Doodleydoo · 13/09/2010 17:30

Crunchy what a weight off your mind, purely because you and your dh are on the same page now which is the most important thing for your family.

Congratulations on you pregnancy, however it started out emotionally I hope it all goes well for you in the future Smile.

I didn't comment previously as it is not my place to make a decison for you and I have not advice, what I did want to say was that 27 years ago my mother was told to have a termination by the Dr as she was a mature mother (having had me at 34) she was 42. I found out about it after I left school but do vividly remember her asking me if I wanted a brother of sister when I was 8! I don't know why she had a termination, possibly there was something wrong with the baby (I know it was a boy), possibly my mother's health was called into question (she had hypertension with me), or possibly she did it because the Dr told her to (she grew up in an age where they held all the cards and had all the wisdom Hmm). I haven't discussed it with her at length but I wish she had been able to keep the baby now, I am sure this has something to do with my having had dc's of my own - I don't know. Good Luck with everything.

FioFio · 13/09/2010 17:40

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expatinscotland · 13/09/2010 17:41

Best of luck to you, Crunchy!

1Catherine1 · 13/09/2010 17:41

Good Luck Crunchy. I'm happy you and your DH are making good progress now. So I guess now we can all congratulate you on your pregnancy :)

buttercup123 · 13/09/2010 17:59

Wow. Crunchy, I have just read your posts, and can't tell you how amazing you are! It sounds like you have been on a pretty emotional journey over the last few weeks, but that you have found some kind of peace. Well done, and can I just say that I think you are going to be an amazing Mum (again)!

MrsGangly · 13/09/2010 18:05

Have also been reading and am so delighted by how everything has worked out! Well done to both you and your husband for talking about everything and making some brave choices.

Caoimhe · 13/09/2010 18:21

Good luck Crunchy - have followed your thread but not posted before. I hope everything works out for you and your family.

DetectivePotato · 13/09/2010 19:06

Was following this thread but couldn't offer any advice.

Good luck, so glad it has worked out and you and your DH had a good talk.

skidoodly · 13/09/2010 19:10

Well done crunchy. Many, many congratulations. Best of luck with everything :)

Quackmonster · 13/09/2010 19:22
Smile
CanNeverDecide · 13/09/2010 20:07

I have only just read this whole thread, and ended up crying at the end. (Am pregnant, so a bit hormonal).

Really hope it works out well for you both, and you enjoy bringing up the baby together.

Best wishes.

strawberrycake · 13/09/2010 20:16

I ddin't feel I could contribute before, but now I wish you the best of luck for the future and all happiness for your family x

BalloonSlayer · 13/09/2010 20:58

Lots of luck and good wishes to you and all your family, Crunchy. Smile

NoelEdmondshair · 13/09/2010 22:11

I'm glad Crunchy is going ahead with her pregnancy but this thread has pissed me off. Crunchy and others rabbitting on about 42 year olds being "old" parents and an embarrassment to their kids. And Crunch had a dig at parents of only children, too [sceptical]

I became a mother at 41 and my DD is a much loved and very happy only child.

Hope the pregnancy goes well, Crunch.

ledkr · 14/09/2010 07:52

Hi crunch. posted at the beginning. Glad u made a choice. I am 43 and 20wks into my unplanned pg my eldest ds is 26. all my plans have changed and ill be doing school runs till I'm 60.......but I'm soooo excited I could explode! please seek me out if u want to compare and good luck.
Btw Noel edmonds hair..I am the picture of health and no problems so far easier than when I was 17. woo!