Old, pregnant and knackered

[Mediumred]

Hi, this is my first OP.

I'm 44 and am unexpectedly pregnant. I'm still not totally sure how I feel about it emotionally. My partner is considerably older even than me (!). We have a 7-year-old dd and were kinda happy with our family although I had two subsequent miscarriages.

I'm about 10 weeks now and I've not been sick at all but I'm just trying to power through like some little crazy amazon. My work involves early/late shifts in the same week, I cycle to work a 12k hilly round trip. I don't do mad exercising but have had a little run/swim this week as well.

Now I feel shattered, writing it down it's like 'er, well of course you do'! I dunno, I guess I had dd when I was 37 and just had a stress-free time, no child to worry about so I could just go to work then relax. I'm so much older now, I guess I just don't want to admit how much being pregnant at this age scares me. I just wondered what people's thoughts were about being me and my vintage womb and getting a bit worn out now and then. And if any other older pregnant women are out there feeling the same.

My daughter is pretty independent now, work allows plenty of downtime despite the odd hours and dp is very supportive, hands-on.

Sorry, rambling now but just nice to get it down. Thanks

It sounds like you're doing amazing. Fwiw I found the first trimester of my second pregnancy much harder with running around after my first DC, but it sounds as though you've got it nailed! You sound a lot fitter and healthier than many people too. If you've got a supportive DP and your DD is older I think it might be easier. I'm afraid I can't be much use but thought those observations might help.

Congratulations :)

I've found early pregnancy absolutely bloody knackering (late thirties) and I have a new appreciation for women who manage with an existing child !

I suppose in years gone by we'd have kept popping them out until menopause... The norm would have been to have several over many years. Where I live (Sweden) there are so many older mums no one would bat an eyelid, especially as people tend to look a good few years younger here (I blame the lack of wrinkle inducing uv and all the herring they eat.

Sounds like you're fit and healthy, so just enjoy it :) I'm having my first in my Late thirties and if biology allows I'd like a couple more, so I hope to be where you are in a few years time.

Congratulations. I understand the fear to a certain extent. I had 3 rd Dc 1 week before my 43 rd. I was petrified throughout.
I was no way as fit as you sound. I had to trust in nature and go with it really.
I did not relax until I saw her.
Good luck. Xx

Nobody else's business what your vintage womb is up to. Wishing you the very best for rest of the pregnancy.

Hey!! 44 isn't old!!!!

I was 43 when I had my very unexpected little whirlwind & yes I was knackered but not due to (ahem) my advanced age, mostly because I was working full time at a full on job as well as having a 10 year old to cater for.

I feel full of life, tonnes of energy & enthusiasm now he is here safe & sound.

So, enjoy & believe in miracles because you are growing one, we are incredibly fortunate to have been given this late gift.

Aww, thanks everyone. I'm not really super-fit, the last hill home on my bike kills me! It is nice to just express that you are tired/bit scared. You can't tell anyone at this stage and I'm really missing wine which would normally cheer me up a bit (still having a weekly smallglass though and a daily coffee but I'd usually have a couple more to perk me up if I was feeling as wiped out as this!)

Thanks again for all the kind words, you have really cheered/comforted me.

Congratulations OP! Maybe you could be kind to yourself and knock the cycling on the head though? I'm 41 and much more exhausted this pregnancy than my first one at 35 (am currently 34 weeks), but then I have a 5 year old to look after, and my first pregnancy coincided with a period of unemployment, so I could lie around all day if I wanted.

Come over and join us on the Old Birds antenatal thread!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/antenatal_clubs/2317859-Its-Spring-and-the-Old-Birds-are-nesting-First-hatchlings-coming-soon?

Ah, so good to read this thread.
I am 43 & 6 weeks pregnant; will be 44 when I have this baby if all goes well .
I had my DD when I was 40; we always wanted another but the time wasn't right for one reason or another...
So I was very surprised to be pregnant - over the moon, but at the same time feeling vv tired & nauseas. Also VERY hormonal & moody, in tears one minute fine the next - I am sure I wasn't this bad 1st time round!!
I am muddling through at work but so hard when no one knows; I actually told people I work with yesterday - know I shouldn't- but my job is also physically demanding at times & felt I had to explain why I was ducking out of doing certain things!
Anyway I think it's great being an older Mum; don't think I would have appreciated it as much when I was younger as too interested in having a good social life (sighs wistfully)

Is this a stealth boast

I'm younger than you and do way less and am always knackered!

Seriously OP sounds like it's going well for you. Hopefully the entire pregnancy goes so well! ! even if l am jealous of your energy

Ta stubborn!! Will definitely look at the thread, it's nice to meet some other 40-something's and know I'm not the only one, congrats on your pregnancy too. I think I want to keep cycling as long as I can, though, I feel I will need to be quite fit for the challenges ahead! Although sometimes I think it's to prove, 'hey, look, I'm not old, I'm on a bike!' When who am I proving it to when no one else even knows? Haha

Aww, pussycat, know just how you feel but at least my job is just desk-based so much much easier. I don't think you should feel bad about telling your colleagues, it sounded easier and better than the alternative which would be struggling on with tasks that you shouldn't be doing. I told a couple of friends on a weekend away as I had to explain why I wasn't downing a vat of wine like normal!!