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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Pregnant at 48…

127 replies

GreatMintPeer · 13/06/2024 10:29

My ex-husband and I divorced 6 years ago, but despite that, there have been some occasions in which we spend the odd night together. We share a 15 year old son already.

My periods had started becoming irregular in my early fourties and almost completely stopped happening, so of course I didn’t notice anything awry until I started to feel ill. Obviously my first thought was general illness or menopausal symptoms, pregnancy didn’t even cross my mind until I spoke to a trusted friend about it the other day, bought a pregnancy test and…there were have it. Bear in mind that it took 4 rounds of IVF to conceive my son and I was told some years before having him that I would never be able to have children.

The issue is, it can only be my ex-husband’s child. I haven’t spent the night with anyone else in 6 months, and my scan placed me at 8 weeks and 2 days. I’m not sure what to tell him, what to tell my son, how to even start to explain the situation to my boss who is expecting me in Copenhagen 2 days a week for the next year, it’s all just so up in the air at the moment.

I also don’t know if I would be selfish to have this child. When they’re 20, i’ll be 68. my ex-husband will be 74. My mother had me in her early fourties and I understand the high level of risk involved with pregnancies later in life. It’s sort of strange, as BD and I really wanted a second child a few years after DS, but it didn’t work out.

It all just feels conflicting. I’m starting to warm to the idea of a second child, but am also conscious that I shouldn’t get too attached at this stage, but in a way it just feels like fate.

What do I do?

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Deedeeee · 13/06/2024 10:35

if I were you, I’d make a long list of pros and cons. If you see more pros (even if some are irrational, this is your subconscious speaking). If you have many more pros, I would let nature take its course. You don’t know if this pg will stick, so the decision may be made for you. From the tone of your email, despite the cons, I’m thinking this is how you’re minded too?

Sue152 · 13/06/2024 10:38

I think it would be a good idea to get some counselling asap before doing anything else. Be sure what you want to do first.

Sopshef · 13/06/2024 12:15

Just as a personal experience, my mum had my brother at 46 and we have 15 years between us. He's in his early twenties now and he's wonderful, everyone loves him and he's one of my best friends. My mum says it was knackering and that they spent 30 years raising babies, gave up a lot of stuff but they were a lot more laid back.

LividPink · 13/06/2024 12:18

You can have NIPT testing from ten weeks for about £500. It’s almost 100% accurate for a list of issues.

I had it aged 40 as I knew I’d rather know early on.

Beautifulbythebay · 13/06/2024 12:19

I mc at 48...going full term at 48 surely is very rare? At 46 my GP told me I had very little chance. At 48 I was absolutely stunned to pass a feotus...

Ladyj84 · 13/06/2024 12:25

Different stories everywhere but all my siblings were born in my mum's late 40s with no problems same for my cousin's late 40s and early 50s for 3 aunts and no problems. All I know is all my siblings are my best friends no matter the 18-20years difference

GreatMintPeer · 13/06/2024 12:38

Thank you all for your responses. after some thought, I think that I do want to ‘let nature run its course’ and see what happens. I will definitely be looking into NIPT testing as I didn’t have this with my son. The next most important stage I think is telling my ex-husband. I’m really nervous about this as I’m not sure how he’ll react; I can’t see us ever reconciling our relationship, we are pretty comfortable with what we are at the moment (good friends, occasionally sleeping together) but I feel that this will make things far more complicated. Still, I see this as my choice. If he doesn’t want to be involved in their life it’s his loss, I’m more than capable of managing on my own. But of course I would prefer him to be involved. I’ve decided against letting my son or anyone at work know until 12 weeks.

It’s all so conflicting. I want to be excited, and I am to an extent, but I’m also very anxious. I’m already in therapy but haven’t had a chance to let my therapist know just yet. Seeing her tomorrow. Will keep updated.

OP posts:
Ladyj84 · 13/06/2024 12:39

Congrats and wish you well on your journey. Good idea we did the same waited the 12 weeks before we told anybody.

clarepetal · 13/06/2024 13:01

I'm 45 and would love another. I say go for it!

Mayhemmumma · 13/06/2024 13:20

It's entirely your choice, you have to do what is best for you.
Personally my mind might feel young but my body is not. My eldest is 12 and I'm 40... I cannot imagine being 60 right now. I'd be terrified of dying or being ill and leaving my DC without their mum / but then I have this fear anyway.. so.

MyFirstLittlePony · 13/06/2024 13:35

Bit shitty of him if he responds badly when it could have been avoided by HIM (using a condom!)

Trust your gut feeling and what you really want. You know, deep down

I had a pregnancy scare/surprise at 49, and after much agonising decided to keep it if it went ok (then still lost the pregnancy at 2 months) . But I did not make lists or anything just went with my gut

Take care and hope it all works out well for you Flowers

GreatMintPeer · 13/06/2024 19:35

Hi All, I just broke the news to my EH. Although shocked, he took it quite well. He’s also well aware of the risks and will support me regardless of what happens. Very very relieved! One less thing to worry about :)

OP posts:
MintBalonz · 03/10/2024 21:23

I came across this thread of a few months ago. I hope things are going well for you and the pregnancy continued?

sel2223 · 04/10/2024 02:39

I'd also like to know if there's any update
@GreatMintPeer

GreatMintPeer · 04/10/2024 16:43

Hi all,

Apologies for the delay in updating.
I’m now 24 weeks pregnant. Have had to give up work for the time being as I also have a back injury and it’s difficult to be fully mobile with that on top of the pregnancy, but the baby is strong, she (!!!) seems to be well and the NIPT test results came back with no abnormalities. Thankfully I’ll be fine not working for the time being as I’ve got savings and inheritance to fall back on, and I paid off the mortgage some time ago. As for my ex-Husband, he’s still happy to be involved and has been with me for all scans and such. The pregnancy is somewhat controversial for my family given the circumstances surrounding it and my age, but I’m not particularly concerned about what they think; I decided to keep this baby and I feel strengthened by that choice. Just trying to stay positive and not hate my life too much while I’m unable to do very much. Thanks all for your concern!

OP posts:
AW24 · 04/10/2024 16:45

Wow you've been blessed 🥹
Only you can decide, see how you go with your scans. Any important decision can be made as you go along.

AW24 · 04/10/2024 16:47

GreatMintPeer · 04/10/2024 16:43

Hi all,

Apologies for the delay in updating.
I’m now 24 weeks pregnant. Have had to give up work for the time being as I also have a back injury and it’s difficult to be fully mobile with that on top of the pregnancy, but the baby is strong, she (!!!) seems to be well and the NIPT test results came back with no abnormalities. Thankfully I’ll be fine not working for the time being as I’ve got savings and inheritance to fall back on, and I paid off the mortgage some time ago. As for my ex-Husband, he’s still happy to be involved and has been with me for all scans and such. The pregnancy is somewhat controversial for my family given the circumstances surrounding it and my age, but I’m not particularly concerned about what they think; I decided to keep this baby and I feel strengthened by that choice. Just trying to stay positive and not hate my life too much while I’m unable to do very much. Thanks all for your concern!

Amazing
I'm 44 and 18 weeks x

CortieTat · 04/10/2024 21:13

Fingers crossed for you! I’m 46 and 16 weeks. I definitely don’t feel old, I am actually in much better shape in this pregnancy than when I had my last DC at 38.

Clearinguptheclutter · 04/10/2024 21:21

Wow congratulations
i do hope the ex continues to be supportive. Great that you get on. How does your ds feel about it?
I wish you all the best

EdgeOfSixty · 04/10/2024 21:35

Congratulations to you all. Wishing you all the best with your babies.

missnevermind · 04/10/2024 21:36

A family friend had her first at 48. They tried for years and spent a fortune on IVF to no avail. She missed a few periods and assumed menopause but no it was a baby 😊 He is 5 now and the absolute joy of her life.
Wish you all the luck and happiness with this one
Nevermind the relatives. At least it was the (ex) husband and not a stranger (to them)

MintBalonz · 04/10/2024 21:56

Wonderful news that the baby is healthy and you sound strong in your resolve to move forward alone if necessary. Sounds like a supportive relationship with your ex, more so than some marriages!

The back ache and lack of mobility sound tough, I hope you can find a way to ease it and be more comfortable.

I'm 47 and would love a last baby.

Objectrelations · 04/10/2024 22:01

Wow! 🙂

sel2223 · 04/10/2024 22:01

What a fabulous update, so pleased all is going OK @GreatMintPeer

Scutterbug · 04/10/2024 22:08

What a lovely update!