Pregnant over 40

[Downtherabbithole83]

I’m currently 6 weeks pregnant and am 41. Very aware of all the extra risks this brings and as my last pregnancy (at 39) all went wrong at the 12 week scan when they discovered a number of issues, I’m feel a little stressed by the next couple of months.

Just looking to see if there are many other older mums on here?

Hi I am 41 with first ivf baby, after fertility issues. Will be 42 when baby Born. I am anxious too, but I try to distract myself with more or less success

Hi, I'm 42 and currently 32 weeks. So far this pregnancy has been smoother and more comfortable than the others! Don't panic, things may not be as rough as you fear!

I’m 46, 7 weeks today. It’s my 10th pregnancy since we started trying for number 3 four years ago. Happy to join, but I don’t have my hopes high.

I'm 38, I'll be 39 when baby born, 12 week scan this Friday. This is my first pregnancy and tbh very terrified about the scan as I am expecting the worst once there. One of my sisters in law had lots of issues with her first baby when she was 38/39 but after that she had 2 other pregnancies that were successful (1 boy (when she was 40) and a girl (when she was around 43ish or 44) so she makes me think that everything can happen and a good pregnancy can happen more than once.

I wish you the best in this pregnancy and I hope you have a beautiful baby. 😘😊

Just jumping on to say good luck everyone and don't give up hope, I have plenty of friends who had babies in their 40s, both via IVF and naturally. Every one of those babies was healthy.

I'm 41 and only 4 weeks, just found out yesterday. I had a loss last year at 17 weeks due to abnormalities so very nervous about scans if I get that far.

I’ll be 42 at my estimated due date too. How many weeks are you?

Sorry to hear you’ve had so many losses. This is the 6th time I’ve got positive tests in 18 months but the first time I’ve got past 6 weeks. We had an early scan yesterday and there was a little heart beat but I’m very aware it’s early days.

Our loss at the end of 2022 was due to chromosomal issues identified at the 12 week scan and then confirmed with CVS. I’ve contacted the hospital today and we’re getting NIPT booked in for 10 weeks but even if that comes back clear, I don’t think I’ll be convinced until after that 12 week scan.

Hi Op. I found out I was pregnant just before my 40th and had an entirely trouble free pregnancy, I was never even sick. Our little bundle is sat on my lap. All the very best for a healthy pregnancy and baby x

Hi OP, I had my first when I was 41 and now pregnant with my second, will be 43 when they are born. No issues at all in my first pregnancy, I sailed through and baby was born healthy via planned c section, recovery was quick and I was back exercising after a few weeks. Second pregnancy has been more difficult so far due to constant nausea but I don't think that's anything to do with age, just luck of the draw. The NIPT is very accurate, much more so than the 12 week screening test - I've had a couple of early miscarriages so I know the stress but I did take some comfort both times once that came back clear. Don't worry about being an older mum, Iots of my friends became mums in their forties, it's very common these days!

I fell pregnant with my first at 40 and my second at 41. Both straightforward pregnancies and labours (1st was an induction but no other issues). 2 and 3 years old now, happily bombing about the place and bouncing on their trampoline.

I’m really sorry! Fingers crossed for the best this time 💪🍀.

I have two young DC, it would never occur to me to worry about miscarriage before turning 42. It was always easy to get pregnant for me.
The longest I’ve made was 11+3 and I have to say it was very traumatic because I had already have relaxed by that time and felt optimistic. I tend to miscarry around the time when my period is due, so 7 weeks.

This time I absolutely don’t want an early scan, I’ve done several of them before and by now I find them quite upsetting. Every time the scans were inconclusive and gave me lots of uncertainty.

That sounds so difficult. I can’t see myself relaxing at all until after that 12 week scan and NIPT results are clear.

I’ve got three girls at home (2 mine and a stepdaughter) and I am desperately trying to hide my vomiting, exhaustion and generally expanding body 😂 They are 9, 7 and 5 so certainly old enough to work it out…

I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant and will be 43 next month. Have a 17 and 13 year old already..
This pregnancy was a complete shock, but no issues so far.

I told my kids because I sleep a lot and gag just from looking at things.

Food for my cats is the worst! They are on BARF (pun not intended 😅) and I can’t even stand the smell and touch of their raw meals. I had to switch to a commercial brand (Mush) because I couldn’t stand making their meals myself. It’s still hard taking their portions out of the freezer, I can’t even stand the look of it 😅

@CortieTat because we had to terminate at 14 weeks last time, we are trying to avoid putting them through that experience. At the moment I’m doing a lot of ‘oh I must have eaten something dodgy…’ and ‘the heat makes mummy feel tired’ 😂

Can’t imagine having to deal with cat food whilst pregnant - it smells bad enough anyway! My sense of smell is insane at the moment.

Hi, I'm 46 and 4 weeks pregnant. I had an MC in April and praying all goes well and healthy this time. Wishing everyone a healthy pregnancy journey xx

@Downtherabbithole83 I’m so sorry, that must have been a very difficult experience and decision to make. I’m not thinking that far ahead yet!

@Foxlovesfruit congratulations on the positive test! It’s easier to get pregnant within 6 months of a MC, fingers crossed!

I spent several hours today shopping for the right type of herring 😅 so I take this as a positive sign. I had nearly no symptoms with my last pregnancy (MC in January) despite nicely increasing HCG. I started bleeding out of the blue at 9 weeks and was done in less than 24h.

I will join you lovely Ladies, just tested positive. I'm 42 so very nervous, had a mmc in December@ 10 weeks. Wishing everyone a healthy pregnancy journey

Hello @Downtherabbithole83 and everyone! I’m 41 and currently 18+5 weeks with no. 2. I’m sorry for your loss, OP, and those of you who’ve had them. It makes pregnancy afterward just that bit harder. I had an early-ish loss back in December, and multiple losses before DD (now 2), so I can relate.

So far so good with this pregnancy. 🤞Had a scare with some bleeding early on, but 12 week scan looked okay and NIPT came back low risk thankfully. It was a tough trimester for anxiety. I’m still very nervous for my 20 week scan though, and have some niggling worries about growth. It’s such a long road isn’t it? Wishing you all a smooth and healthy pregnancy!

Thank you! The waiting is very touch. Everyday I am trying to distract myself with stuff and just enjoy little things but the shit odds for over 45 are always at the back of my mind somewhere.
Very often I feel like I'm wasting precious minutes of my life on a lost cause, on the other hand I keep telling myself that all odds are 50% - I either miscarry or I don't!

Morning all and welcome to those who have joined our little group! So sorry to hear how many of you have also suffered losses. Wishing everyone a successful journey this time 🤞

How is everyone doing today? I am waiting to hear back from the community midwife team and from the hospital (about when they’ll offer NIPT) so hoping I can get those dates put in the calendar.

I am already fed up of the nausea - anyone else feeling sick all day every day? Desperate to actually vomit so I can feel a bit better. I had ginger but have bought some ginger biscuits in desperation today 😂

I had horrid nausea for the first 11 weeks, the only thing that stopped it was eating as soon as it started. Just some crackers or something else carby. Ended up putting a fair bit of weight on though 😕
Now I'm getting insane heartburn, I'm not sure what's worse!!