pregnancy at 43?

[thelightsareon]

does anyone have any experience? what do I need to know - medically or emotionally??

DP wants to have a go at getting pregnant. I worry that we are too old - we're both 43. I'm struggling with the weight of the choice, while at the same time thinking that my ovaries might not be up to the job of conception any more.

I welcome any views of motherhood in your mid-40s - postive and negative.

Have to say that you don't sound that keen on the idea ..... my DH 'persuaded' me to have a child when I was 42 - it was no real problem physically, but it wasn't really what I wanted to do (I am not blaming him, I should have been stronger and not gone along with what he wanted). Emotionally I have found it very hard, I had been 'childfee' by choice and it is a huge shock to have a child in your early 40s - and its still tough now (10 years later).

it's true that I'm not leaping with joy at the idea. I have a 10yo from a previous relationship. I'm not hugely keen on the idea of another round of nappies, sleepless nights etc. DP is childless and this would be his chance at fatherhood. I know what hard work it is, he doesn't.

oh I don't know!!!

I had our third at 41. DC3 was much wanted and I had miscarried previously, so I was a bit anxious about the pregnancy, but it went OK.

I was exhaused for the first year but mainly due to the other two to look after and the fact DH was away with work a lot/I had no practical support.

I had my DD at 43, but she was my 5th. Do you have other children?

I had 2 missed miscarriages before DD. The combined nuchal gave me a 1:24 risk of Downs so DH talked me into an amnio, which I found unpleasant. I was so terrified I would lose her all the way through.

I was really tired towards the end- far more so than with my 4 earlier pregnancies.

Having said that, her first year was a doddle. Now she is 3 1/2 it's a different story

Only you can decide whether you actively want a child.