41 pregnant with 4th and terrified

[Nat2016]

Good evening

I hope you all are safe and well.

I am pregnant with my 4th following three previous sections (last one elective and two previous emergency sections).

I have a mixture of feelings and just wanted to reach out to see if anyone feels or felt the same?

I am so terrified of going to hospital and going through the whole birth process. I am sure this will have to be an elective too. But with my first and second I spent few days in hospital and with my second I was in hdu due to huge blood loss.

Now I'm older I'm worried how the pregnancy will progress and how I will cope my youngest is 3.

Please can you share some experiences x

I found out today that I'm pregnant. I'm 38 and this is my 4th.
I know know you feel

Congratulations @Nat2016, and @Ijustgiveup!

I was in a similar position 21 months ago, aged 40 and pregnant with number 5.

Was very worried about my age and stupidly, what other people would think. Also wasn't sure I'd cope and was as actually quite upset to be pregnant again. I cried at my booking appt. But everyone was delighted for us, pregnancy was thankfully uneventful and birth very straightforward. (I'm sorry, I can't offer any insight on sections) and our now one year old is an absolute joy and the apple of our eyes, doted on by her four siblings. Yet to meet any of her wider family, sadly!

Good luck!! I hope someone can help with your concerns, but just on age, I wanted to show some solidarity.

I was pregnant at 40 with my 5th baby. At the time my youngest was 3. It was the easiest birth and it was no harder having a young baby at 40 than at 30.

My third has just turned 4 and I'm almost 47. My older 2 are in early years of secondary.

I was fortunate to have straightforward births- but terrible pregnancies each time.

I found a book called your body , your baby your birth really helpful in helping me to feel confident third time around. Also, get as much info and advice now.

I did have a massive haemorrhage after no 3. Not great, but I received great care, baby was fine etc and recovered quickly. A friend told me afterwards that some hospitals give a pre birth injection for mothers over 40 as they are at higher risk of haemorrhage. Might be worth looking into.

Things may have moved on now, but I also had a harmony test v early on so I knew if there were any concerns.

My little boy is starting school soon- hes lovely and it's mostly lovely having the age gap. Not very practical but my older 2 adore him and he has us in stitches every day.

Wishing you all the best.

ps easy to forget now but I was terrified that he wouldnt be ok, that the others wouldnt bond etc- but all ok x

I’m 38 and 22 weeks pregnant with my fourth.

I’ve also had 3 previous c sections, 1st emergency, 2nd and 3rd were electives.

I had my first consultant appointment today and was informed this will definitely need to be another elective and under no circumstances will they let me go into labour.

My third c section was difficult in that they had to call in an extra surgeon to assist and it took quite a while for them to get to the baby due to so much scar tissue built up.

But I’ve been assured that they will be prepared for it this time and will make sure all the right people are in theatre.

I have been advised that I shouldn’t attempt another pregnancy after this one though.

Congrats and good luck!

Thank you for your replies they are really helpful x