Anyone pregnant over 40?

[Bluesky85]

I’m 5 weeks pregnant at 42 and this is my first pregnancy. Everything I read about pregnancy over 40 is a little pessimistic! I’m worried about telling people in case they judge or feel like telling me how ‘high risk’ it is. I’m looking for others for moral support 😊come and say hi 👋

Hi! I got my first (and only) at 41 and my pregnancy was easy. I got monitored with scans and appointments on regular basis and didn't have any complications until they wanted to bring the baby out early (I think placenta wasn't working that well anymore). I did have nausea for several months but I just got on with it. I made sure I ate healthy and took supplements. I made sure I was relaxed and took time for myself to chill with face masks, music etc. to avoid stress. I know there is lots of negativity about being pregnant in your 40s. Yes the risks are higher and you have to keep that in mind for yourself and the baby. But don't let that worry or stress you out. I must say I really enjoyed my pregnancy journey. I hope you will too. Congratulations and good luck.

Congratulations!

I had my first and only pregnancy aged 39/40. I had a fairly easy pregnancy but was closely monitored. When I went for my final hospital check they kept me in due to blood pressure and I gave birth the next night after being induced.

I wasn't worried about sharing my news or my age as we had been trying over two years. I was so happy to be pregnant.

Enjoy!

Hi!
I'm 40 and first time pregnant too. Currently 8+5 weeks.
I totally understand you, I'll have my first scan tomorrow.
I'm living one day at a time and trying to relax my mind.

Hello and congratulations!
I’m 7 weeks pregnant at 43. I have one DD who’s 6 and I’ve had three miscarriages over the last few years. I had my booking appointment today and the midwives weren’t concerned about my age at all, but said I’ll be offered extra scans.

thank you for taking the time to share your story @Olika, it’s really reassured me 😊

Thanks for sharing @LittleMonks11 I’m glad you had success after two years of trying

Congratulations @lola8319! I hope everything goes well at the scan tomorrow 😊

I’m so sorry to hear about your miscarriages @Thislife1. I wish you all the best in your pregnancy x

Hiya, after 2 years of IVF I am pregnant with my first at 41 😊❤️ I'm 37 weeks and my hospital is one of a small number that has changed their guidance to say over 40 isn't considered high risk, due to amount of mums choosing to have children later in life.

Congratulations to you, wishing you a happy, healthy and uneventful pregnancy 🥳❤️

I was pregnant and had baby at 42, and didn't receive negative comments about age etc (none that I can remember anyway). Congrats and good luck x

Hi Currently 43 and 6 weeks - 1st baby IVF - previous miscarriages - don't think i'll be relaxing any time soon although I am trying - 7 week scan next wednesday. Best of luck to you all

I'm 42 and pregnant for the first time after a long journey. I'll be 43 when the baby arrives all being well. I did NIPT at 9 weeks and everything came back very low risk x

@Bluesky85 congratulations!!!! ❤️

Don't pay attention what other people say! I gave 2 kids concieved naturally in my 20s, then 30s; and now at 41 doing first IVF ttc vaby 3! Had lots of chemicals due to age but not giving up!
At every my pregnancy there was someone to say something negative or point to risks etc ...
You and your body know better

Good luck and try to relax and enjoy this precious time! Xx

I had mine at 41 and 43. Never felt judged - even the hospital just offered me the nucal fold test and said I could have further tests if I wanted to, but I declined so that was the last time my age was mentioned.

Hi OP, congratulations! I turned 40 a couple months after having my 2nd and age wasn’t an issue at all. But I came on here as I wanted to share this with you as I had a lovely midwife and she told me that she had had her first baby at 45, and second baby at 48! 😊 both full term healthy babes and no problems in delivery, she really was real walking proof that having babies can and does work absolutely fine in mid to late 40’s. I don’t think any woman should be penalised, judged or age shamed for having babies later in life.

Hi OP, I'm 41 and 8+3 with my second. My DS is 4. I've been quite anxious this time round because of my age and the perceived risks, but just had a reassurance scan today and everything was fine. I think it's normal to feel anxious but it's nice to read of other older mum's positive experiences on here, so thank you :)

Hi OP. I'm 41 and 11 weeks pregnant with twins as a result of my first round of IVF. I feel so blessed but obviously anxious too given my age and the fact they are twins. I've been trying to stay calm and relaxed by meditating, reading and trying to enjoy the pregnancy (although nausea and sickness is strong!). I think positivity and putting yourself first is so important. Nobody has mentioned my age being an issue other than the fact I will be consultant led rather than midwife led due to it being twins and my age which I actually prefer!
You've got this!

Thank you so much everyone, it’s been great to hear these positive stories xx

@Bluesky85 congratulations on your pregnancy, such an exciting time. I would share with everyone if I were you as soon as you feel comfortable doing so
I am 39 so not quite 40 and 26 weeks along. I have greys poking out of my head and sometimes I do feel the judgement but it's only from myself: everyone around me is so pleased for us!
@Olika I have heard of placentas getting old and not working anymore, may I ask how your midwifery/medical team knew it had stopped working properly?

Hey! Im 40 and just under 6 weeks pregnant. First pregnancy, via double donors, as Im a SMBC.

A few months back, as I was doing some ultrasounds, the lady doing them was SOOOO judgy! "You couldnt have thought about doing this before?! I hope your job is not very physical, cause youre not a spring chicken and this will be hard on your body" Im paraphrasing, but what she said was in this vein. I was FUMING!
Stay on your lane, lady!

However, Im not worried at all! I just hope to not get too much nausea, as that would knock me for 6, but so far, so good!

I had my second last year at 41 and as far as pregnancy went, it was better than when I was pregnant with my first at 33, I had the NIPT test this time. Other than having to get induced got many reasons, not just age, all was fine and never felt judged.

Congrats :)

Hi @Bluesky85

I’m 37 weeks pregnant at 42. This is our first after 2 miscarriages and an ectopic rupture, which had me close to death last year. At the beginning of my pregnancy I was given many warnings about issues I may have being a geriatric mum 😅 but so far everything has gone very smoothly. Definitely take the time to educate yourself and listen to your consultants advice. Hope that everything goes well for you. 🤰🏼

Hey all!
im 19 weeks at the ripe old age of 44 (OH is 51)
ours was a long journey of infertility, miscarriage, IVF and finally donor egg IVF!
its really nice to connect with women in the same boat ❤️
ive found the pregnancy absolutely fine so far - I was sick every day until a week ago so had a rough ride personally but the baby has grown beautifully and I’ve had no issues at all.
had my first consultant appointment yesterday and, I know he has to be realistic about things, but we found him to be quite negative, focussing rather a lot on worst case scenarios. Quite pushy about delivery suite over birthing centre (even though ours are across the hall from each other 🙄🤷🏼‍♀️)
im totally open to any medical intervention that needs to happen for the sake of my baby but wherever possible I want this pregnancy to be natural and stress free and I’m a pretty damn healthy yoga and dance fitness instructor (or at least I was until the sickness got me 🤣🤣) so I think my body will do quite well 🤷🏼‍♀️
ive luckily had amazing support with no judgement but I’m prepared for it!! 😏
how is everyone getting along?
have you thought much about your birthing plans?

Hi everyone thanks for sharing your stories- they are great to hear. I have my first consultant appointment when I’m 16 weeks so I suppose that’s the first time I’ll get more specific ‘age-related’ advice compared to the so-far generic booking in/ 12 week scan etc. but everything is going ok so far (apart from awful nausea and sickness which is luckily subsiding!). We have told a few more people now and haven’t received any negativity or even ‘comments’ which is nice. But people seem very very surprised in general. I guess once you are over 40 people assume that’s it and you are probably never having kids!