I am fretting about my pregnancy because of my age. (37)

[stottiecake]

Can anyone reassure me?
Have been reading up on risks (silly me) and I'm now convinced this pregnancy is doomed.
I'm 37 btw.
I'm only just pregnant.
Argh. Can anyone tell me anything positive just to stop the anxiety?
I know it won't stop anything dreadful from happening but at least it might stop me from fretting!

TIA

[sue52]

I had DD2 at 44, I thought I would be the oldest Mother around and worried how I would cope. After 15 years I can report that all is well so far.

[lucybrad]

currently 38 and 32 weeks, will be 39 on due date.

[Miffster]

39 and 35 weeks, healthy as a horse over here.
I feel sad that I drove myself bonkers during the first 5 months worrying about being too old, what a berk. I love being pregnant. Just enjoy it. You are pregnant, hooray! :)

[ScarlettButler]

Stottiecake I had unexplained infertility at 37 blubbed all over the docs about how old I was, how worried I would be even if I did get pregnant via treatment etc etc. Docs all chorused that relatively speaking 37 wasn't that old, and to stop worrying...

I ended up getting pregnant naturally the same year, blubbed all over midwives about how old I was, how worried etc etc. They all reassured me. I didn't listen and continued to google until DP stopped me

It was all fine and I have a lovely DD.

This is not to be glib, but I realise i had read too much Daily Mail stuff that made me think that anyone who has a baby over 23 is Too Old. I forgot my mum had managed to pop one out at 39 when that really WAS old!

So good luck and try not to worry. I wish I hadn't wasted so much time worrying.

[CoteDAzur]

I had DS shortly after my 38th birthday. No problems and DS was perfectly fine.

Relax

[ceilidhknco]

Good for you! Really wouldn't worry, my mum actually had me at 41 and as far as I'm concerned I'm fine! Let us know how everything goes and good luck!

[chickenmad1970]

Perfectly timed thread as it is crossing my mind. Had dc aged 37 and now just 5 weeks pregnant with no2 and hit 40 next month. Spend ages worrying about how many units of alcohol I've drunk and how many cigarettes I have smoked over the years. Had 2x mc before dc but this time I feel far more 'pregnant' from the off so am slightly more comfortable, just nervous about the scans but as others have said worry is par for the course. Good luck!

[stottiecake]

Thanks to all of you

Have really enjoyed reading your posts - just what I needed to read!

My first pg ended in mc at about 8 weeks. I was about 31.

I had my ds when I was 35 (conceived when I was 34) I didn't really worry about that pregnancy - in fact it was one of the happiest times of my life!

Really worried I wouldn't be able to get pg but actually managed on the second attempt.

I suppose I feel like I couldn't possibly be lucky enough to have another beautiful child.

But on the other hand my mum had me at 40 and my sis had her 4th at 40 too.

I'm probably healthier this time too - I smoked a tiny way into my last pg (managed to give up by 6 weeks) and before the pg I used to drink a lot and not eat a great deal (before the pg!)Have only occasionally had a drink over the last couple of years and still not smoking!

Anyway - sorry for the waffling! Will sleep a bit easier tonight! thanks again!

Stottie

[stottiecake]

Oh, and good luck to all expecting! X

[ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave]

I'm 38 and currently 24 weeks; all tests and scans boringly normal so far.

[wigglesrock]

(waves to Professor), I'm 36, almost 26 weeks, all good here.

[flowerfairy]

I felt exactly the same about my pregnancy am 24 weeks, 37 will be 38 when i deliver. Had read lots of things early on about how age affected so many things. When i went to tsee mw, she went "oh we don't boher with anybody now until they are39" I'm enjoying a healthy pregnancy as far as i'm concerned. HAve other worries as we all do, but now none of them are particularly age related.

[bosch]

well done vis smoking (i still occasionally have dreams that I start smoking and i gave up 15 years ago!)

I had dc at 34, 35 and 39. I loved being pg and tried not to worry as I got older but had really straightforward pgs with all and no excuses to google (couldn't resist obviously - step away from the computer!). Ask MN instead if you have any worries!

[piscesmoon]

It is very easy to get into worrying-I was 40 when my last was born, my mother was an older mother and my grandmother was over 40 when she was born (we do things late in my family). I have never felt an older mother because many people are well over 40 these days.

[FindingMyMojo]

Congratulations - do yourself a favour and STOP READING all the negative stuff. In fact stop reading full stop if you have to.

I had my first at 40 & freaked out a little at first about being 'old mum with all the risks' etc - load of tosh as far as my experience was concerned.

Statistically there may be increased ricks, but that does not mean you will be effected. Focus on all the good stuff & deal with any problems if/as/when they arise. Your job is to be positive & happy & relaxed. Why add to/increase your stress if you don't need to?

I'm 43 now & 4 months with 2nd. It is much more tiring this time round, but my life is totally different to the first pregnancy. Keeping the 'fear' at bay is my number 2 priority. When the fear get's in my head (and it does for any woman from time to time whatever her age), I grab my mental softball bat & smash it out of the field . DO NOT LET IT LINGER. Best of luck.

[cardamomginger]

gave birth to dc1 6 weeks ago at age of 39. she is perfect and my pregnancy was just fine. dh is 49. we are delighted and very thankful, albeit somewhat exhausted, to be "older parents"! enjoy and congratulations!!

[wolfhound]

Hi Stottiecake, I am 6 weeks pregnant with DC3 and I'll be 40 in a couple of weeks. Had DS1 when I was 36 (almost 37) and DS2 when I was 38 (almost 39). Both lovely healthy boys, the births were very straightforward and quick. I know what you mean about worries (I saw my GP yesterday and he (unasked) said he recommended an automatic amnio for older mothers like me - which terrified me rather, and made me feel very old). But age is not the only factor in problems with pregnancy and birth, and I am very aware (since this will be my last pg) that I want to enjoy and remember every moment of this. Good luck, this is what life is all about :-)

[stottiecake]

Have felt so much better having read all these positive posts! Did another pg test today (just for fun!) and it was a good strong line! My boobs are starting to get sore too and I'm whacked and I love it!!

Thanks again

xx

[WidowWadman]

My mum was 38 when she had me and I seem to have turned out ok.

[fifitot]

I just had my second at 47. Yes 47 - so think I trump everyone else on MN!

37 is a mere spring chicken.

Obs told me that after you rule out any genetic risks (if you choose to that is) you are no more likely to have problems in pregnancy than many other women, if you are fit and healthy and actually maybe in a a better position than some younger women who smoke or who are overweight for instance.

Don't worry and enjoy your pregnancy!

[stottiecake]

Congratulations Fifitot!! That's brilliant!

[fifitot]

Thankyou! BTW given your name I assume you are from the north east?

How I miss stottie cakes since I moved away!

[Scorpette]

I've just turned 38 and 12 weeks and this is my first pg. Although I have a few existing health probs (inc. CFS) that are making me feel a bit rougher than normal, my Dr and MW say I'm having a textbook pregnancy... unfortunately, that seems to mean terrible morning sickness! My Grandparents were in their 40s when my Mum was born and they were really fun, active parents (and Grandparents), so I'm confident about being an older mum.

Hilariously, I live in an area with a v high rate of teen pregnancies and my Dr told me that I'm the oldest pregnant woman currently registered at my GP's surgery! Think I need to move nearer Fifitot

If we were too old, we wouldn't be able to get pg, would we?! It's as simple as that.

[Hooliaaa]

I think Anne Boleyn was having babies at 38. So it's really nothing new.

[tlise]

My mum was 45 and she was fine.

I am 37, will be 38 next month and Im 20 weeks friday, I also have high non pregnancy bp. But so far, I am only really tired....but that could be because its my 6th plus I am very overweight to begin with. But my doc knew we were planning on pregnancy and didn't say we shouldn't just gave me bp tablets that would be ok in pregnancy. Most side effects are from the tablets such as water retention (swelling) and breathlessness.

They don't seem to bother much about older mums...think my hubby worries more than my midwife does.