Geriatric pregnancy

[Outnumbere]

Ok panicking a little. Just found out I'm pregnant. I'm 43, This is not planned. I actually thought I was premenopausal. I had a coil in for over 10 years with no period that whole time.the doctors said it was probably that. Since removal, periods have been all over the place. Our lives have been crazy. We have 3 teens one with severe mental health issues,. Which has impacted us all.
Partner has new job which means he works away 90% of the time. I have a really stressful job as well
I think this is the result of one weekend I've let loose!

Any good stories from older mums? I've googled like mad & it's all scare stories about risks at this age
I think I'm embarrassed to tell people, & face their judgmental looks
how did you all handle it

I'll be starting the school run again in my 50's. I must be mad!

Had one of mine at 45. Never felt judged. Having kids in 40s not uncommon.

My friend is just about to have a menopausal baby at 41!
She thought it was her periods stopping and was 20 weeks before she found out . !

I don’t think people will judge at all, very common for mums to be in their 40’s, how do you feel about it? Do you know how many weeks along you are? Good luck.

Congratulations @Outnumbere ♥️
A few years ago I “thought” I might be pregnant (at 44) and my mind went into a complete spiral (I wasn’t) so I can only imagine how you’re feeling now you actually have a positive!
Honestly though I don’t think you will be judged - you’ll most likely have a lot of surprised people, but I’m sure in a good way and I think you’ll be surprised at how many people are having kids in their 40’s.
Wishing you the very best with everything xx

I knew a woman this happened to, she didn't find out until she was in labour though aghh. Congratulations! Hope its smooth sailing for you.

I had my last child when I was 42. Elder ones were 25, 22 and 21 at the time and had all left home. Youngest is now 22. It has been amazing having a child as an older parent. I was able to do so much more with him and spend more time with him than I could the older ones. We are very close.
Tiredness was an issue when he was born, but I suppose that is no different to any new parent. But it got better as he got older and slept better.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

I'm 42 and had my first at 40 and am currently 29 weeks pregnant with my second. I haven't had a single person say anything bad thankfully. If anything, I've met lots of people in their 40s with small children who commiserate about how tired we all are 😂 Good luck with everything!

I’m 43 and currently 33 weeks pregnant, will be 44 having him. Haven’t felt judged at all! Definitely not the oldest at my hospital appointments at all. I have older teens and a 2.5 year old, the older ones are a great help and she’s in playschool at the moment and mammies my age have also preschoolers there so doesn’t feel odd at all.

Mine has just started University.
A very similar story to you. He has been a light in our lives and we are a bit lost without him at the moment. Don't worry!

Congratulations. I had my second child at 41. 💐💐💐

Had my last at 43 with a 10 year age gap. Enjoying this one much more! My Life just seems more set up for a baby now, but yours may be very different!

There are loads of "oh, so it's not peri-menopause then" babies out there. I was nearly 42 when I had mine. 9 year age gap.

It does change your family dynamic as you find ways to accommodate your older children and the littley. We had to tell our older DC before 3 months because we couldn't hide queasy mum but otherwise we held off telling family until the usual 3 month point. People were delighted for us.

We've had a few people asking if we're grandparents (thanks!) but otherwise really positive. Best of luck!

Aww thank you all. I'm still in shock & feeling a little silly. It's absolutely not the best timing BUT.. I'm thinking that this is obviously meant to be
jeez.. He/she will be my 4th.. But I feel like I have no idea where to start.

ahhh I'm having a baby!!!