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?

I’m on a boat tour round a local archipelago today 🤢. And it was actually my idea 🤢

@BeLemonQuoter Hope you are doing ok and managing to stay positive. I must admit I'm nervous of what the trisomies test will show for me given I'm 45. Can't imagine the odds will be good. Thinking of you.

Well my nausea turned into full blown vomiting last night. Was up the whole night, one minute sweating the next shivering. Was dry heaving in end. Not exaggerating to say one of the worst 12 hours of my life. Got myself in a panic which obviously didn't help, but it felt neverending. In bed now, had to call in sick. Feeling ok at the moment but haven't moved all morning and still haven't eaten or drunk anything - too scared in case it triggers it again. Hope everyone else is doing better.

@CortieTat just imagining you on a boat, bobbing around names me feel sick 😂

@BeLemonQuoter were there any indicators on the scan that there could be an issue (e.g. high NT measurement)? With my previous pregnancy we had an NT measurement of 6.5mm and with the bloods we were given a 1 in 4 chance of T21 - we went straight for CVS testing the same week and had the diagnosis confirmed within about 5 days. We chose the tfmr route.

On the antenatal testing board on here there are lots of stories of people with a high chance of a trisomy and then it working out okay - it’s a good board to have a look at when you’re feeling ready - I found it gave me a more realistic view of what my results meant.

It’s also worth noting that on that board the people with these chances range from low 20s into their 40s - it really can happen to anyone so try not to let age be too big of a factor when you think about those tests.

Omg @CortieTat! Rather you than me!

@Downtherabbithole83 I am sorry for your loss.
The scan was all right, NT1.5mm, but my blood was rather off from average. We booked the amnio in for Monday so we will know it for certain by the end of the week.

@User0141 yes, above 40 we all start from positive chances for trisomie and sadly the combined and quadruple test is not that accurate, so it causes a lot of stress. Luckily, the NIPT test is usually offered in this case. I was just unlucky because of the vanishing twin, I couldn't have a NIPT.

If I got a not that bad test result, I might not have agreed to amnio, because we are so unlucky, for me the 1:100 chance of miscarriage is too high.

Just for reference, these are my blood test result from the quadruple

Corr mom
Afp 0.78
Hcg 2.7
Inhibin a 2.29
Ue3 0.93

So these figures took my age chance of 1 in 73 to 1 in 8.

@BeLemonQuoter that's interesting regarding vanishing twin - I'm in same situation and never realised that would impact on tests available.

Had ivf pregnancy in 2022 at age 45. Wonderful, easy pregnancy. Recovery after birth is ongoing! Peri and breastfeeding is exhausting but worth it.

Hello 👋👋👋

I found out a few days before my 40th - 2nd pregnancy but a total shock after many many years of infertility and ivf etc. I thought I was perimenopausal turns out I was pregnant 😂

We're super happy though.

Bit of a rollercoaster so far especially being given a higher risk of Edwards and Pataus due to a few hormonal factors which were multiplied up do to my age but overall all good so far, I'm 21w today with a wee girl 🥰

Had an early scan today as high risk for various reasons. Would have been 8+ weeks going from dates but I've been having long cycles and baby only measured 6+1.
Luckily all ok so far and I got to hear the heartbeat which was amazing.
Dare i dream that this might actually be happening? My anxiety is through the roof this time round

Thought I’d just check in - how’s everyone doing?

Hi, could I join please? I’m nearly 9 weeks pregnant. I’ll be 43 by due date. I have a DS already who is 13 so it will be a big age gap.

Hi, I'm good thanks. 24 weeks now..bump getting quite big now, and despite lots of movements, it still doesn't feel 'real' somehow. The shock of being pregnant when I'm 43 in a couple of weeks with a nearly 18 year old and 13 year old, I still feel quite detached from the reality that I'm actually going to have a newborn baby boy in a few months! How are you ?

I'm still nauseous but no further vomiting thankfully. Around 9.5 weeks now. Had my booking appointment a few days ago - midwife was reassuring regarding my old age but I'm still feeling quite detached as in my mind there's a good chance the 12 week scan/trisomy screening might not go well. Scan is booked in for early Sept. Hope everyone is doing ok.

6+3, main symptoms sore boobs and nausea starting but not too bad so far, I always have pretty bad nausea when pregnant. I've a scan booked for 7+6
Hope everything else is doing good

Interesting what you said about feeling detached as you know everything that could go wrong.
That's exactly how I've been feeling. Almost scared to believe or enjoy it as I feel like there's just so much could happen, especially with being older.
I don't remember being like this with my first

@sel2223 How old were you with your first? I was 40 - so I was worried that was old at the time, but now I think mums under 43 are all super young 😂

Welcome @Always28 - of course you can join us!

@BeLemonQuoter how are you doing? I’ve been thinking of you - did the amnio go okay?

@sel2223 and @User0141, I also feel
quite detached so far: I am now accepting that I’m definitely pregnant (8w+1, feeling awful and throwing up multiple times a day) but I can’t link that yet with the idea of actually having a baby. I’m wondering if I’ll feel better after our 12 week scan as that’s where it all went wrong last time but because of my experience I’m so much more aware of what can also be found at the 20 week scan so not sure I’ll ever be able to enjoy this pregnancy like I did my others. Though I don’t associate it with my age so much.

@Gracie1825 hope your scan goes well. I have one on Friday at 8w+3 (due to recurrent chemicals before this pregnancy).

I’ve passed the 9 week mark today, still on holiday and not feeling great.
I’ve not booked the first appointment yet, I’m postponing this aa much as humanly possible. I’ve already had 6 of these first visits and they are repetitive and I’m not looking forward to the next one. Why can’t they just copy and paste my info from the last time I have no clue…

@Downtherabbithole83 My amnio went OK. I am not saying it is painless, but definitely manageable without painkillers. I had very minor cramping afterwards, and took a day off at work, but I am not sure if it was even necessary. I have another 27 hours to get out of the danger zone (most miscarriages happens in the following 3 days) but finger crossed it will be all right. I will get the results tomorrow or Friday and I am rather optimistic at the moment.

I had high anxiety throughout the whole pregnancy, and it made me difficult to enjoy it too as all I could think of the potential hurdles I have to face first. I am a bit more relaxed now that I am over the shock of receiving the positive quadruple results, but also feeling like the pregnancy is on hold. It will unlikely change as even after a negative result on the amnio. I have been told i might have preeclamsia, slow growth, preterm labour or stillbirth. I am not that worried of the 20 week scan yet, saying that now :D, I have just seen the baby at the amnio, and I was told they seem healthy.

I’m glad it went okay @BeLemonQuoter. I have everything crossed for you.

I assume from what you’ve said, that whatever happens, you’ll be closely monitored for the rest of your pregnancy ?

I’ve just been contacted to say I’ll have my 12 week scan at 11w+2 (which is the 5th Sept) because they’ll do our NIPT test as the same time.

I’ve also contacted the GP again today to ask about anti-sickness meds for our holiday next week. I haven’t been able to do anything today because I feel so rubbish!

I had my 12w scan today, putting me a day ahead at 12+3, due 23rd Feb, but I wont go much past 37 weeks anyway so a due date doesn't have much relevance this time around. All was well, and I had the screening bloods so will await those. I'm expecting a call to say the risk is higher as my age will bump it up a bit I'd imagine.
I'm at risk of pre-eclampsia too as my Mum just had a BP related stroke, plus the risk factors of age, type 1 diabetes and how many babies I've had. Couldn't be more different to all my previous pregnancies!