I’m pregnant but 47

[MadameDD]

Hi. I’ve got a 4.5DD had her later in life at approx 42.5 and though we’ve tried for a baby since no joy and just thought we’d leave life to fate.

Anyway I’ve been ill with a virus for past week but noticed no period lately and also nausea in mornings. I tested this morning - no pic but it’s definitely positive - one of the digital ones that says it rather than lines.

What do I do? I’m 47.5 exactly now - DD4.5 has always wanted another DSibling. DH would be happy if both me and baby were healthy. I’m guessing as I had a period last month it’s very early days but confused.

Congratulations op!! Same age and very envious!!
See a mw ASAP to discuss the risks.

Congratulations! - you will be pleased when you have had time to adjust.

Thanks re congratulations. But do you know what risks there are? I’ve got an under active thyroid but it’s medicated etc.

I’ll ring doctor first thing on Monday.

Congratulations!

Surely there’s nothing you can do except speak to a MW and look after yourself so that you can have the healthiest pregnancy possible?

The other thing - if I don’t want to miscarry what should I do? I recall only one caffeinated drink a day when I was pregnant with DD before but do I take pregnancy vitamins now etc and what else?

I already have a good diet.

aghgetoutofme yes agreed not much more I can do apart from speak to MW and have a healthy pregnancy.

Just don’t know how or what to tell DH as it’s early days. Do I just tell him?

Congratulations!
The risks of everything are higher, miscarriage rates after 45 are grim reading but there is still every chance of everything being fine.
I guess it is wait and see but be prepared for it not to stick. I’m pg with my first at almost 41 and worried about issues, but I’m having private screening for abnormalities and just keeping y fingers crossed.
You’ve done it once so every chance of doing it again-good luck!

I’m also a bit confused as not last week but a week ago I did a gin tour so lots of booze and a couple of nights before that had a boozy cinema outing with free drink. Just worried I shouldn’t have done that.

Bad stuff is passed via placenta and you don't have one yet!!
Folic acid?
Better late than never - get some.

Megan definitely having private screening etc - I know it may not stick but I’m just so shocked that without trying (no tracking of ovulation etc basically had given up) I got pregnant just like that.

Tell your DH so you can be a team and approach this together.

Take pregnancy vitamins- the most important is Folic Acid.

Phone your GPs and find out if the system is make a GP or MW appt first.

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon just read up says one caffeineated drink a day so will do that, getting folic acid and pregnacare vitamins with weekly shop this morning.

Applekatie thanks I think last time I was pregnant it was see GP first then take it from there etc. Eg not midwife first. My GP practice is very good though so if I was concerned and wanted a midwife appointment they’d refer me I think.

Congratulations OP!

sounds like it's a welcomed surprise

UNDERACTIVE thyroid - this stood out for me. It’s very important you have your dose increased, it is affected by the pg and has been linked to miscarriage. I was always told to add 25 microgram to my daily dose - but that depends what dose you are on now.
If you miscarry it is most likely to be because of a chromosomal abnormality, avoiding caffeine and alcohol are sensible but won’t affect that.
I would tell your husband now because if I did miscarry I’d want him to support me. And I’d rather he knew already. Good luck!

Take high does folic acid 5mg . And a quarter of an aspirin daily unless you have a medical reason not to take aspirin.
Congratulations.

@MadameDD
I was told pre 5 weeks that alcohol doesn’t matter as there is no blood connection. I would have been pregnant at Christmas/New Year and was drinking heavily most days!

Congratulations. A good diet plenty of rest and the usual pregnancy supplements. That's all you can do really. As others have said see your gp and get booked with a midwife and if it were me I would go for any screening you are offered. Miscarriage is a risk sadly but there's not a lot more you can do. Try not to worry too much.

www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/october-2016/vol-9-issue-10-p-5-6/
The second link is the one mentioning increasing the dose by 25 (in my health board)
www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/guidelines/Lothian%20Guidance%20for%20Diagnosis%20and%20Management%20of%20thyroid%20function%20in%20pregnancy.pdf

Thanks all - will increase thyroid meds and try not to worry. I did ring GP as they've got a saturday morning surgery but no appointments so will ring first thing Monday when they do have them.

Muddysnowdrop I’m on 150mg per day of levothyroxine now.

I was 42 and the oldest first time mum at my workplace until last year when my 47 year old colleague had her DC.

I had all the tests on offer and had made decisions about any outcomes of those before having the tests. My DC was quite early but has done really well.

At the same time I was expecting, another colleague (mum to a 16 year old) was pregnant with her second aged 43. All went well there too.

Congratulations and all the best

CONGRATULATIONS @MadameDD !!!

I was much younger than you when I has my last DC. I has a scare at the 12-week scan - the risk of chromosomal abnormalities increased from (something like) 1 in 800 to 1 in 47. I was panicked but my very sensible DM said there was a 46 out of 47 chance that everything was ok and a gambler would be totally happy with those odds.

All the best! I know several people around your age who have had good pregnancies and healthy happy babies.

Caffeine is thought to be unproblematic at up to 200mg/day. I had recurrent mc and stuck to that limit (actually 300 for my first 2 dc) in my successful pregnancies.

You may later choose to consider ante-natal testing in terms of the increased risks of trisomies and other chromosomal stuff, but I'd guess (I never had any AN tests) it's good to have a clear idea of what you'd do if you had a positive result.

Hope all goes well!

Congratulations!

My good friend had her third baby at nearly 46. He's a very sturdy 7 year old now.
Get to the GP and any specialist endo person you are under atm re the thyroid in relation to pg.

Midwives as you know are usually disinterested till after 12 weeks.