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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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
User46576 · 07/04/2025 00:27

Wow - a lovely update. Congratulations op! What lovely news

DazedandConfused1234 · 07/04/2025 01:10

Congratulations OP! How wonderful for you and your ExH and DS. I had my DS at 48 and while it is tiring, it is also wonderful. Best wishes!

CortieTat · 07/04/2025 06:59

Congratulations OP, fantastic news!

MagpieCastle · 07/04/2025 07:38

Congratulations - what lovely news! Here's to you and your family on this amazing adventure.Flowers

EternalSunshine25 · 07/04/2025 07:41

Wow that is lovely news!

almostbloody50 · 07/04/2025 07:56

Wow fab update congratulations.

FartingAgainstThunder · 07/04/2025 15:38

Aww lovely, I've often wondered how you got on after reading your first few posts!
Huge congratulations 🎉

Blondeshavemorefun · 07/04/2025 17:15

What a lovely update @GreatMintPeer and hopefully will give others some hope

congrats

Raininginparadise2 · 07/04/2025 18:01

Many congratulations OP on the birth of your wonderful baby girl. Best wishes to you both xx

ChocNice · 07/04/2025 22:45

Congratulations to you all, how brilliant OP.

Outofthepan · 07/04/2025 22:47

I didn’t see the original thread, but big congratulations 😊 I’m glad it worked out

Marchitectmummy · 08/04/2025 10:21

FABULOUS... congratulations what an uplifting update.

DiscoBeat · 08/04/2025 10:36

Huge congratulations. Your daughter is going to so lucky to have such a big brother too! We have a huge sibling gap in our family too and it's absolutely lovely to see them together.

CointreauQuaint · 08/04/2025 10:49

Lovely news!

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 08/04/2025 11:18

What a lovely update, congratulations and best luck for the future!

Iloveshihtzus · 09/04/2025 11:06

Congratulations OP, what wonderful news. I found having a child in my 40’s has kept me young - being around younger people despite es that. It has also been shown that women who have successful pregnancies in their 40’s live longer and healthier - maybe your body knows you need to be there for your child.

Enjoy OP, we are all thrilled for you.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 09/04/2025 11:32

Congratulations OP!!!!!! You are the 2nd person I know who fell pregnant at 48 and went on to have a healthy DD.

Best wishes to you all

Lalgarh · 09/04/2025 11:34

Huge congratulations @GreatMintPeer

lemontreeeverystreet · 10/04/2025 11:52

Oh wow!!! Congratulations @GreatMintPeer! I’ve been wondering how you have been going!
im 46 and have been TTC number 2 since having my first at 41.
you give me hope 😊

Italiangreyhound · 10/04/2025 23:58

GreatMintPeer

"Thank you all for your advice and support when I needed it. It might sound silly to you, but you played a part in giving me the courage to do this. I’m not sure what I would’ve done had I not decided to hop on MN… life lesson perhaps?😂"

That is so great. I am so pleased. Congratulations.

Italiangreyhound · 11/04/2025 00:00

And it is great Mumsnet could be useful for you too. Xxxxxx

SpringIsSpringing25 · 11/04/2025 00:18

Congratulations!!

I have just read your thread from the beginning nervously scrolling through it....

I'm so pleased to read such an amazing update!!😍

Best wishes for DS and his GCSEs as well!!

Apollonia1 · 11/04/2025 00:24

Congratulations! What a lovely update.

I had twins at 47 (nearly 48) and it’s going really well! They’re 5 now and I think they keep me young and active.

sandgrown · 11/04/2025 06:32

Congratulations OP. I had my youngest son at 45 . He is 22 now and though we have had the usual up and downs I wouldn’t be without him. We are very close and he makes me laugh every day and keeps me young . He gets on great with his siblings despite the age gap and having them around made sure he didn’t suffer from having an older parent . He also has a great relationship with my grandchildren who are not much younger than him. There were days I thought “what have I done?”but it’s been a great adventure.

mum2jakie · 11/04/2025 06:40

Oh wow!! Congratulations that's an amazing update! 🥰