41 and up the duff ...

[septembersong]

... and terrified! Have just done test, am in shock. I already have 2 DCs, 3.5 and 1.5, and was very sad to think I would never have another. But now it has happened, am terrified! It wasn't planned, indeed DP not keen at all on having a third. But nor was it prevented. Am suddenly very scared about:

being 41, and the odds of something being wrong with the baby

that a third will make what is currently hard work but loads of fun into unmanageable chaos

that my existing DC will lose out somehow (esp DC2, who will no longer have a unique position, but become 'middle one')

how my partner will react

the financial/work implications - how will we afford it all? And juggle it all?

Oh god, someone say something reassuring to me please!

Congratulations! :) I know lots of over-40s mums, and lots of families with three children (planned or not), and overwhelmingly they are happy, healthy and busy manage to make things work

septembersong - join the club flower

Am 41 in a fortnight, and 7 months pregnant. Baby scans are fine, nuchal scan has been fine, all going to plan so far.

I cannot wait, despite being an old giffer. New life is wonderful!

Congratulations :)

I'm 38 and 28 weeks pregnant with baby no 3.

I spent about a week in total shock when I found out, my DP actually handled the news much better than me!

Like you I was worried about my age and the odds of something being wrong so we paid for a nucal scan and bloods which were very reassuring.

I'm very excited now and I know that all of the practical/financial issues will work themselves out.

I had my third (planned) at 41. DC1 was 4 and DC2 not quite 2. It was hard and chaotic at first, but it improved gradually over the years.

I had an amnio with all of mine (youngest is now 12). But the odds of something being wrong with the baby are still small.

And I haven't regretted having number three at 41 for a minute.

I had dd at 42. (10 year gap). She is the best thing that ever happened to me. I love my boys dearly, but my dd is the most treasured gift I could ever have had. Yes - it is hard, and tiring, but IME you enjoy number 3 because you have done it all before and are more relaxed and confident.

Join the club! I am 40 and expecting DC3 in about 2 weeks.......can't wait for the little worm to be born as if i am honest i have found this pregnancy much harder than the others (could be age, could be because it's 3rd time round or it just is because it is!). However, i am also sooo excited as i know (for definite) that this will be my last time to cuddle a new born, breast feed a new born, snuggle up to a new born fresh out of the bath...........so many things! Plus your eldest will be about 4 when you are due, so she will be such a help for you, rather than a hindrance. Your DC2 might well quite like the fact that they will no longer be the baby of the family - my DS2 is overjoyed at that thought! I agree with 3littlefrogs, it will be tiring, but you will enjoy it more because you have done it all before.
You will be a fantastic mum to this DC3, because you already sound like you are to DC1+2.

Cluds, you brought a tear to my eye - but in a good way! Thanks so much for your kind words, they have really helped. Good luck with DC3, enjoy all that snuggling and sniffing!

oh, didn't mean to make you cry!! That'll be those bloomin' pregnancy hormones!!
Good luck to you too.
x