Pregnant at 45

[moonshine36]

Hello everyone!
I'm posting on behave of my mum! She's recently found out she's pregnant and is in her mid 40's!
Mums just full of questions..
Is there anyone on here who's had a baby in they're 40's?
Did anyone have any trouble with the pregnancy?
Mums suffering with really bad head aches to the point she can't sleep!
The bottom of her spine is killing her...
She feels sick but hasn't been sick (I know that's morning sickness)
She's constantly worrying that something bad is going to happen!

I didn't know if I could have anyone's experiences and if you found anything that helps relieve the headaches etc?
Any information and advice will be greatly appreciated as she's constantly worrying!

Thankyou

is there anyone on here who's had a baby in they're 40's?
There is a whole thread somewhere on here for the over 40s - not sure what part it is on.

I've not bothered posting on it even though I'm over 40. (43) My mum had me when I was 42 and one of my sisters' had a child at 46. So you see there is a bit of a theme in part of my family.

Did anyone have any trouble with the pregnancy?
Still pregnant - 22 weeks.

Aches and pains
I don't have backache or anything like that. I did a lot of exercise before I got pregnant as I found a few years before that if I didn't then I would get aches and pains. I've cut down on my exercise as you are suppose to go into maintenance mode when pregnant plus I was completely knackered for the first 14 weeks and feeling sick from 8-13 weeks.

I don't get headaches either. I've found I need to drink a lot more water as in I can down the equivalent of 2 pints in one go.

Your mum should be under consultant lead care due to her age. If her hospital is anything like mine you need to book your consultant appointments plus other appointments about 8-10 weeks before you need them to ensure you see the consultant you are assigned to or seen on the right date.

Having babies in your forties is very common these days and not especially risky.

No big deal in my experience. My mum had me at 40, I had my dd at 40, my SIL had my nephew at 42. Nobody in my antenatal group was under 35, the eldest was 44. My hospital were unphased.

Apart from some SPD I had a pretty straightforward pregnancy, but then I have nothing to compare it to. My mum had my siblings at 19 & 21, and definitely found having me more tiring.

There is a thread just a little further down in pregnancy called 40+ pregnancy which you're welcome to join and read through.

I'm 40 and 17 weeks pregnant. The only thing I can think of to watch out for is that your mum will automatically be at higher risk for Down's. If she can afford it she might want to pay for a private non-invasive test (often called Harmony or NIPT) which is £300-400. This is available from 10 weeks I think and is more accurate than the NHS combined screening at 12 weeks and will hopefully set her mind at rest so she doesn't have to panic if she gets a high risk at that point.

I have been having lower back and hip pain from about 10 weeks and I sleep with a cushion between my knees that really helps. I've also started pregnancy yoga from 12 weeks.

For general questions (e.g. headaches) she should write a list and ask her midwife at the booking appointment (around 8-10 weeks depending on where you live and when she notified the midwife that she's pregnant).

I'm 43. 23 weeks pregnant with first. No problems whatsoever.

I'm 38 and 17 weeks, and I have horrendous migraines. I have them when not pregnant too. But now I can't take meds. I had a slight reprieve in first trimester which I could fix with the odd paracetamol, but since I've hit 2nd trip it's been incredibly painful. I'm drinking lots of water, not allowing myself to get hungry ( little snack every couple of hours, which helps with nausea) although I was prescribed cyclizine in tri one for sickness and I continue to take it now. For the pain I'm using max strength ibuprofen gel on my upper neck and lower skull, ( doc ok with this) and I using cocodomol /alternated with paracetamol and ibuprofen prescribed by doc. But ibuprofen should only be used in tri 2. I also use hot water bottle on back of neck/skull I sleep wearing a neck brace with magnets in it and I have massager that I use I the are for some instant relief. A hot shower is nice too with water on head and neck and washes all the gel gunk from my neck. I also take vit b 6 which is apparently good for migraine. I can't say all of this takes it away but it makes my day bearable. Doc has also referred me to a neurologist. Good luck to your mum, hope some of this helps. ( also I agree with TT she will be higher risk of Down's, it's worth looking at the tests she mentioned, I had that and it has reassured me) 🍀💕

I had mine at 40 and 43 and they were normal pregnancies with no complications.

There's many on mn! I'm 41 and as others say there's a thread in this section for over 40's. There have been other threads too so worth searching for them and having a perusal.

My bp, bmi and sugar control has been great so they're not bothered at all about my age. A younger person can have all those issues and they seem to take those more seriously.

She may have more growth scans and some areas suggest taking baby aspirin (75) but there can be some disparity.

Thankyou ladies! I have shown mum!💖

I’ve been unsure what to do about this pregnancy since I find out a couple of weeks ago. I went for an abortion yesterday and ended up not being able to go through with it. I just can’t seem to decide what’s right. My husband is leaving the decision to me but is concerned about becoming a dad again at the age of 49. We already have 3 kids aged 19, 18 and 16 and I am 9 weeks pregnant.

It is going to be hard work bringing up another child, but I think you made your decision about the pregnancy yesterday

Thankyou for your kind words. Yes, we just started getting an easier life and so it would be a big change again for all of us!

I'm 41, first pregnancy and currently 35 weeks! I've not really had a difficult pregnancy, just a bit of backache and being in the third trimester I'm quite uncomfortable. Lots of women are having babies in their 40s now.

Thankyou