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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

40+ pregnancy

389 replies

Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 10:55

Hi, I'm 41, and 4w 4d pregnant. Trying not to get too excited yet as I know it's high risk.
Any other 40+ people out there? How are you getting on?

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Original poster
Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 17:17

Sounds like it's very well organised and well catered for over there. I doubt we'll get that here! Anyone know?

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Original poster
Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 17:24

Jojo - If you have a good line on a test it's probably fine! I wouldn't worry too much about symptoms yet, it's still so early. Such a worrying time though isn't it! And try not to self refer to Dr Google either. He is not always our friend.....

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Fidgety31 · 01/04/2018 18:03

@JoJoyorker I wouldn’t agree to an induction just based on my age

My 3 other kids were all overdue and no problems

Ekphrasis · 01/04/2018 18:32

Congratulations Cleo!

I think I remember you on the 40+ TTC thread?

I'm now 34 weeks and although tired, am fine.

Extra scans as ds was low birth weight but I think I would have had those anyway. High risk due to thyroid and (possibly?) previous emcs had the IUGR but blood sugar and bp has been excellent. Growth so far good.

I'm just feeling it now!

Ekphrasis · 01/04/2018 18:37

So far I'm being allowed to go a little over 40 weeks as my risk factors aren't actually big risk factors. Due to emcs I'm opting for an elcs around 40+4, as I'm keen to vbac if I go naturally but induction is complicated for vbac and less successful as they can't use as much of the drugs as they do if not a vbac.

Our hospital doesn't really allow anyone to go past 41 weeks (unless you really shout about it). I went to 42 with ds hence my decision to avoid induction. I'd rather have an elcs than another emcs. Fx I go naturally before then!

Ekphrasis · 01/04/2018 18:37

Sorry, I'm aged 41 Grin

Ekphrasis · 01/04/2018 18:40

Early induction/ elcs here appears to be for high bp, diabetes, the liver itchy thing, any other issue with the baby.

Original poster
Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 18:53

Hi Ekphrasis, great to hear things are going well for you! I was indeed on the 40+ ttc thread for some time, and plesantly surprised to be promoted to the pregnancy section!!

I was wondering about vbac. To be honest I have not allowed myself to think to far ahead yet in case it goes wrong, but I know I am not allowed to be induced as I was induced with my first at 42 weeks and it failed, ennding in emergency c section. My second was elective c.

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PerfectlyDone · 01/04/2018 18:56

Best wishes to you all! Smile

I had DS3 and DS4 aged 42 and 44 without any dramas, VBACs both of them, T+10 and term exactly.

While some risks may be higher for older women, the balance of risks is firmly in your favour.

Original poster
Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 19:08

Thank you perfectlydone, that's really reasuring Smile

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Ekphrasis · 01/04/2018 19:29

Cleo I'd recommend a birth reflections session later on to clarify things. And then discuss with the consultant. So far I'm lucky as growth, bp and sugar levels are all great. Thyroid is well controlled and not an issue. Birth is relatively straight forward apart from if I vbac or not.

There's an excellent vbac fb group I've found very informative to help me make my decision, which has along with birth reflection and a semi consultation (the BR mw does these so she did a kind of mixture) helped me decide on a kind of cut off point and no induction unless it's to help things along later on.

The IUGR was a shock and our hospital doesn't really let you go beyond 41 now anyway. I'm sure I'll go naturally to 42 and I'm not keen to risk it personally, though many women do and are fine.

Original poster
Cleozeta · 01/04/2018 20:28

Sounds like a great idea, thanks I'll look into that. It's been a whole 5 years since my last birth it all seems so vague!

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Helbelle75 · 01/04/2018 20:36

Congratulations! I had my first baby at 41, not classed as high risk, but induced at 40 weeks due to episodes of reduced movement (most likely my anxiety!) and I'm bad an emcs in the end. My mum had to have 2 c sections though, so not a surprise.
Dd will be 1 next month and she is an absolute delight.

FutureMum · 01/04/2018 20:38

Hello, I am 40 and 12 weeks pregnant. DD is 7. This time around my energy levels feel shocking and I have even more nausea, so trying to take things easy but difficult with work, hellish commute, etc x

Original poster
Cleozeta · 02/04/2018 19:36

Congrats on your dd helbelle, glad it all worked out well in the end!
Futuremum - at 12 weeks you should hopefully be due to turn the corner into 2nd trimester so nausea and tiredness should ease off a bit with any luck!

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Original poster
Cleozeta · 04/04/2018 15:23

Just booked early scan for 7 weeks. Hope I have not jinxed it! 5 weeks today, may not even make it to 7!!

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JoJoyorker · 04/04/2018 17:55

I've been looking into early scans and harmony testing this week too. Same as you Cleo I feel like I'm tempting fate to book it! I've found a place that does a scan from 6 wks and then another scan with harmony at 10 wks for a good price. I need to check their cancellation policy just in case Confused

Original poster
Cleozeta · 04/04/2018 20:11

Yeah that is exactly what I found. Decided to go for 7 weeks for the scan for a few reasons, one being that at 6 weeks they may not see much and that would send me into uneccessary panic, whereas if they dont see anything at 7 weeks it's pretty clear cut. Also 6 weeks will be next week and we'll have the children with us still as it's school holidays! The only problem with the following week is that the first available booking was Friday so a bit longer to drag things out. Every day seems like a century at the moment!! Are you finding that too??
I've also found a place that does the nipt harmony test at 10 weeks for £399 so we'll do that too. I paid a £30 deposit for the early scan so that gets lost if it all goes wrong. That'll be a nice added little kick while I'm down won't it?! I understand why they have to do that, bit it's quite brutal - it's not like anyone would 'choose' to cancel.

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ComeOnHolidayByMistake · 04/04/2018 20:15

Congrats all!
I’m 42 and 11 wks with my third. Almost daren’t say it out loud as I’ve had 3 mcs since dc2.

Had scans at 7 & 9 weeks and then had the harmony test at the wkend so I’m v nervously waiting for the results...

Watching every twinge and panicking at my loss of symptoms.

I go from feeling excited to feeling totally detached. It’s such a weird confusing time.

Really good to find other ‘older’ mothers Smile

Original poster
Cleozeta · 04/04/2018 20:19

Congrats! And you must feel pleased to be at 11 weeks having seen 2 successful scans, pretty much out of the dangerzone now! Fingers crossed for you & good luck with test results

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JoJoyorker · 04/04/2018 20:50

Congratulations to you! All the best for your harmony result. You will have to update us when you hear. It's great you've had a couple of scans that should reassure but the worry never goes does it!
Cleo I was going to go for 7 wks for the exact same reason. I will have to see what dates they have available. They are charging £450 for harmony and the 2 scans. There's not a lot of choice where we are and with DC there was nowhere local, we had to travel nearly 3 hrs for testing! So I'm just relieved there is somewhere local now. Yes every day is dragging, I did another test today. I probably need to stop with that now as I guess even if something went wrong it would still show positive? I have my HCG blood test Friday so will find out Monday if that looks promising or not. Did you get your progesterone result?

Original poster
Cleozeta · 04/04/2018 21:11

I phoned up today for my results, but they hadn't been sorted by the doctor yet. I guess a backlog from the easter break. Will try again tomorrow, hopefully it'll be ready then. It's funny you say you are still testing, as I was also planning om doing another test tomorrow, I want to do the cb digital and see if it's picked up on the fact that I'm now 3+ instead of 2-3....
Good luck with HSG. Are you still having no symptoms?

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JoJoyorker · 04/04/2018 21:27

Hopefully they will have them back by tomorrow. That would be good to see if it's moved on. I should have done one of them. I've been doing the FRER and just watching the line get darker but I think it's as dark as can be now. I've got tiredness but that's about it, very different to last time.

AiredaleFan · 04/04/2018 22:24

I'm 45 and 6w4 with my second. Really pleased my daughter is going to have a sibling (if all goes ok), I was 43 when she was born and had a very straightforward pregnancy and a long labour. Both IVF pregnancies.

Had a scan yesterday and everything ok, very reassuring to see a strong heartbeat.

I'm already dreading being treated by healthcare staff like some kind of unexploded bomb because of my age. Really pleased I'll have the same community midwife who was the exception to that rule!

Congrats everyone, it's nice to know I'm not the only 40+ mother to be.

JoJoyorker · 05/04/2018 08:38

Congratulations! Lovely that you've had a scan and all looks ok. It's really nice to know there are a few of us in the same situation. I was 39 last time so not that long ago and I didn't get much said about my age at all.