calling all mature mums - pregnant at 43

[cora]

Hi - have 2 kids already 9 and 4 and am pregnant with a third at 43. All is ok so far but feel so aprehensive about being a new mum again at my age - if there are any older new mums about my age out there who can share their experiences with me - I would be so grateful.

Jabberwocky - that's really sweet I'm just hoping that DD doesn't expect her baby to actually be born at some stage

Hi Gingerbread, no, ours wasn't private and we weren't offered a blood test at the same time. Also I'm annoyed that they didn't even look for a nasal bone, they literally took the neck measurement and that was it.

peacemaker, when I had mine at QC, I asked about the nasal bone. The sonographer said "well we don't look for that here, but there is a good nasal bone, so don't worry"

Did they measure other bones at all (leg bones etc), or just the nuchal fold?

They literally just measured the nuchal fold. I'm a little unhappy about the whole thing really because the first sonographer who measured it said it was 1.6, then another sonographer came in to check the machine was working ok (they tested the generator half way thru' the scan and she had to re-start the machine) and she measured it and she said it was 2.6 and no other measurements at all were taken. It was just marked down the prescence of various organs.

peacemaker - would you feel a bit happier if you had the blood tests done as well? It would give you a better picture. How many weeks are you?

I am 14w 3d. I've heard that the blood tests are pretty unreliable too and give alot of false positives so in my case no, I don't think they would help. I'm not really thinking about it anyway, I know there's a chance and I can handle that. We'll just wait for the next scan in January and see what it reveals

The Leeds Screening Centre rang me last night with a risk rating, taking into account combined blood test and NT scan. My risk is 1:2700. So I have no need for any further invasive tests.
I am so glad we spent £190 on a private test. in our area, NHS offers only a blood test - and this alone is more inaccurate for women over 35.
Peacemaker, my scan was done by a consultant in fetal medicine - I am not saying that your sonographer was unable to take the correct measurements, but I would have been very unhappy about two different people taking two different measurements. Now you are left worrying for the next 6 or 7 weeks until your next scan.

All this talk of nuchal folds.....it's freaking me out a bit. I'm 37 so my age related chance of Down's is something like 1 in 250. I've had two mc in the last year and am now 10+4 and just glad to have made it this far. Had a viability scan at the Leeds screening centre last week and they asked about nuchal fold scanning. Hadn't really thought about it as I wouldn't terminate anyway (too many emotions invested in this one). But, reading all the stuff on here, I'm beginning to have second thoughts and at least forewarned is forearmed. Can this test screen for other types of abnormality or is it just Down's...the leaflet I got with my notes said it was just another screening test and that further disgnostic testing would be recommended for a result less than 1 in 150. I know at LASS they can either offer the nuchal fold on it's own for about £100 or with blood screening at £190, but I presume if you don't go for the blood test option, then the result will be read in conjunction with your triple test results at 18 weeks?
It's all a bit scary and there is so much conflicting information out there. I've found four separate statistics for live Down's births in the UK ranging from 1 in 700 to 1 in 2000....can anyone shed any light on this?
I'm feeling as though now I've seen the bean and stopped stressing about an impending mc...something else comes along to scare me witless!!

Thats good news Gingerbear. The thing is, I'm not worrying, I'm really not. When I think of the baby its just that, my baby, I don't think of any problems he/she may have, its just my baby

Daisy - if you wouldn't terminate anyway, and you only want to know to be prepared - are there not other free tests on offer from in your NHS area? What about CVS?

Obviously, if you want to go ahead with the Nuchal + bloods you should do. I just don't understand why it's free in some areas and not offered in others. I got mine done here in London on the NHS.

peacemaker, I would be the same as you. Even if I had a high risk, I would want to know before the baby was born. I wouldn't terminate.

Daisy - the nuchal + bloods gives about a 90% accurate result. A lot of people won't go for the invasive tests unless their risk result is more than 1:100, due to the risk of miscarriage. If you have the nuchal + bloods, hopefully that might reassure you?

No sure if that's any help?

Elibean - R U Still PG or have you given birth?? I know your date was sometime around now??

Sending lots of good wishes and hugs your way

Elibeans CS was booked for today. Fingers crossed everything goes well for her.

Brill - she's the first one on this thread to hatch. Hope it went OK for her and bubba

bump

Come on Elibeans, we're all waiting to hear about your new baby

True!! Put down that beautiful newborn and get onto MN

Hope it all went OK.

How are you feeling Peacemaker?

I booked all my ante natal referesher classes today, so its all beginning to feel very "real". I'm considering hiring a Doula as well. I havene't used one before, but they are supposed to be very good.

I'm hoping to use Queen Charlotte's birthing centre, complete with its lava lamps and disco balls

Have you thought about the birth yet and your birth plan?

Hi harktheheraldfoxessing, I'm ok thanks. Still doing the twice a day injections which I'm getting more used to now. I haven't thought about a birth plan to be honest with you. With my last two pregnancies all that kind of stuff was taken out of my hands really as I was induced with both of them at 35 and 37 weeks and can see it happening again with this pregnancy so I'm not really looking to make any plans, I have to go in with the "I'll do whats best for me and the baby" kind of attitude I've got an appointment next Friday at the hospital and I'm going to ask then what they have planned for me.

R U with Queen Charlotte's too? Sorry my mush rain can't remember anything a the moment.

I was induced with DD, as my waters broke and she didn't appear. Luckily the conractions started just as they were about to induce me so it all happened quite quickly after that. Why were you induced with your two?

Did you have your other two at QC too?

sorry I've taken so long to come back to your question, I've been off sick from work with a bad cold and chest infection

I am with Queen Charlottes yes. I had my last son there 6 years ago but had the misfortune of having my first son at West Middx. I learnt my lesson there fast I had to have a planned c-section at QC's last time because I had a low lying placenta that bled on and off from 5 months or so and was in hospital for the last week ;(

Oooh that sounds horrible, you poor thing. Snap re. the low lying placenta (I have one this time) and snap on the chest infection (I have bronchitis atm)

BTW - did you see Ellibean had a little girl? - Mischa I think !

oooh, I didn't see that, well done to her. I've got a hospital appointment tomorrow though I don't really see the point as nothing is happening/has changed. It appears I'm being seen every 4-5 weeks. I guess I should be glad they are keeping a close eye on me. Its my 21 week scan I'm looking forward to but thats not until 12th January This pregnancy seems to be lasting forever.

R U still doing the injections.

My pregnancy seems to be going too fast IFSWIM!!!

I am still injecting yes which I'm sure isn't helping matters. For some reason I'm going through a 'every injection hurts' period. I ice the spot before and after I inject which normally helps but for the past 3 days or so they've all hurt from start to finish