42 first time mum -9 weeks pregnant

[Rizzo80]

I'm currently 9 weeks 1 day, I had to do a self referral end of Dec and I'm still waiting to hear back from the hospital
Im 42 first time mum so I thought with my age I would have already had a scan by now?
Im so new to all this so I'm unsure what should be happening.
I have had no systems just sore boobs,slight toothache and the missed periods
I feel like I have so many questions to ask the hospital but I'm getting more anxious day by day

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Hi @Rizzo80. I’m 40 and 34 weeks pregnant with my first. In my area we don’t get additional scans at an early stage just because of age. I saw the midwife at the normal booking in appointment and then had the 12 weeks scan. I had symptoms but still found it hard to believe I was pregnant so we went for private reassurance scans to make sure there was something there, until I could feel her move I kept thinking I’d imagined the positive pregnancy test. 😂

As you move through the pregnancy you will be referred to a consultant for additional appointments and possibly growth scans but this is dependant on a few things.

The only thing I would say about being in 40 and pregnant is don’t focus on statistics about age. I went into a complete spiral after reading an NHS leaflet about the risks of genetic conditions after the age of 40. Made it all sound so scary. But in reality there is only a small chance of increased risks, the midwives I saw and spoke to me about it were fantastic. We ended up low risk but still went for a private NIPT because it had worried me so much, all is fine.

If you’re not already take some pregnancy vitamins (folic acid and vitamin d were recommended to me by my doctor).

Enjoy your pregnancy. 🤰🏻

Hi @Rizzo80

congratulations!

i am 41 and 13 weeks pregnant with my first baby. Same as @ChangeHtotheP there have been no additional scans because of my age, I’ve just had the 12 week one (plus an 8 week one but that was due to an EPU referral after spotting).

I have also had very few symptoms - needed to eat more often and that’s about it! Sore boobs faded at 9 weeks.

I think there is an additional scan or 2 in week 30 something due to age. Also, following the midwife meeting I was given a consultant appointment purely due to my age. This was a telephone call and was very underwhelming and as I am otherwise healthy there was very little specific to my age. The only thing of interest she said is that there is some research suggesting that it is better for women over 40 to get induced if they don’t give birth before their due date. She told me to google it. I haven’t done this yet to know why and if it is something I will feel happy doing.

I am waiting for the results of the screening but will not be surprised if it says high risk partially due to age.

Hope everything goes well for you - I’d write down your questions and ask the midwife as I’d expect the midwife appt to be before your 12 week scan.

Thank you for reassurance, Society has given me a stigma that I'm far too old to have a baby, being on Mumsnet (god send) has changed my views completely.

Good luck with the pregnancies xx

42 but 2nd baby, 31 weeks pregnant now. Had the first at 38.

ofc you’re not old.

first scan offered as usual between 11-14 weeks. Had it at 12 weeks, though for my first baby they said she was 13 weeks (12 from my last period though). So I would push to have it scheduled for your assumed 13 week at the latest, bc if you go at 14 weeks and they say it’s actually 15 you won’t get to have the combined test.

I got private nipt test (non invasive blood assessment for genetic abnormalities like DS) both times. First time it wasn’t offered through nhs, 2nd time I wanted to know the sex. You get it for free if you get high risk at the combined test. Got high risk for both at the combined test, but nipt gave me low risk, and while not a diagnosis test, it’s a very accurate screening, better than the combine test.

it’s good to pay attention also to the individual results of the bloods that comprise the combined test, as for ex a low Papp-a (under 0.5 mom) gives risk, on its own, of preeclampsia, still birth, IUGR. But they can prescribe aspirin and extra growth scans to keep an eye on it.

then there is the 20 week scan that looks for health and dev of organs, like the heart. That’s the last hurdle until the last trimester when you start worrying about labour.

1st and 3rd trimester - be prepared to feel very tired. The first time I needed iron supplement, 2nd time didn’t. You’ll get blood tests at your first midwife app, then on week 28 you’ll repeat them.

make a list of all your questions. Many times I went in, walked out happy, then discovered there were a few q I forgot to ask. There is a lot of wait between app so better ask. No one minds. The first app with the midwife is especially long and they go over all your history, health, etc. they will ask you a lot of q, so have your list too.

hope this all helps! You should find it all out as you go along, and if you keep an eye on mn discussions, you’ll find out even more, but don’t let it stress you out.

congrats and have an easy pregnancy and labour and a happy healthy baby!