Pregnant, 40+ and Proud: Fabulous Mummies Sign Up Here!

[Takenoprisoners]

Following Ms Dynamo's wonderful news of her pregnancy and all the rest of us who are coming out of the woodwork ...a new, morale-boosting thread for those of us in our 40s currently going through pregnancy.

Come on, sign up: we are 40+ and FABULOUSLY PREGNANT!!!

A bit of a regular fixture at the moment, Johnworf - up at 2, Surf n Bounce, Cheese and Crackers, back to bed at 4-ish then awake again at 5.30-6 with DSs. Fun!! Still, if your bump starts playing you up in the middle of the night, too, it can bounce around with mine!

Takenoprisoners sounds like a routine you've got going there

Bump is behaving itself at this end - so far. We have gymnastics usually around 7am and finish off with disco dancing around 10.30pm - bedtime. Other than that, it's quiet. Oh, apart from lying on my obviously comfy bladder as I'm a regular at the loo 1am and 4am almost on the dot

I can't feel mine at all yet (18 weeks), although I'm also a 1am and 4am regular for the loo and have been since the start. Despite the feelgood result from the scan last Monday I can't help but worry that something has gone suddenly and inexplicably wrong.

I know I have too much time on my hands (well on my brain) what with my endless bed/sofa rest so I don't know if that's making me crazy or if it's standard operating procedure for expectant mums?

Not seeing an end to the rest either. Was on my feet for an hour yesterday for the first time in a week by way of a test (nothing strenuous - just a bit of cooking and washing up) and shortly after had some bleeding. Really small amount compared to last week but a bit depressing nonetheless. They're saying it may be cervical erosion - anyone else had experience of that? Were you told to rest so much?

Hi there mrsjupiter - nightly trips up and about to the loo etc are such fun, aren't they! Sorry you're worrying about the baby's movements - I'm sure, though, that at 18 weeks for your first, this is quite usual, and that it's only around now that you start to detect movements. Are you due a midwife visit soon? If you're still worried in a day or two you could pop in for a quick doppler check, to reassure you? In the meantime, you could eat something sugary (a great excuse to go for it!) and lie still and flat and see if you can feel anything ... but I don't think it's unusual not to at this stage, so try not to worry.

I had quite a lot of bleeding, on an off, during my first 12 weeks, which was from the cervix. I too had to rest up as much as poss. and noticed the bleeds practically stopped when I rested and would start up again, in varying degrees, if I got up and overdid it. At least you know it's not your placenta - some women bleed like this throughout pregnancy and it's not a problem, but it does freak you out a bit, doesn't it. Just try to rest as much as possible and take good care, & get on the phone to your midwife/clinic for reassurance if you need it. TNPx

mrsjupiter. Sorry I don't have any experience of cervical erosion so can't help you but just wanted to send you some hugs. Silly to say try not to worry because of course you will! I think some expentant mums sail through without much of a worry (I have a friend, 39 who's about 24 weeks and doesn't seem to fret at all) but for me, even though my last pregnancy was straightforward I was anxious all the way through it and am anxious again now, though only 10 weeks. I think it comes with the territory.
I didn't feel anything at 18 weeks but you know that it's about this time that you can and so have your mind on it, I think anyway. I'm sure everyone's told you this already but the first thing you feel anyway is a sort of bubbly feeling or butterflies, nothing more. You almost wonder if it's your tummy doing a vague rumble. I don't think til about 20 weeks as well. Take care of yourself. Just think of the resting as the last good rests you'll get as once that baby pops out you'll never rest again!

Fortuna, nagydw, have only Wenglish-speaking roots in the Valleys.

MrsJupiter, I too had started to worry a bit when I didn't feel the baby moving, don't think I felt him till about 21 weeks, but then he seemed to progress rapidly from little flutters to major thumps and bumps, as if he was hurling his whole body against the walls of my uterus. I think when you feel it first depends a lot on the baby's position.

So, pwcbird, johnworf, msdynamo AND myself all met our dp/dh on the web!!!! Wow! We're just so young and 'down with the kids'...!!!! I used to pretend we'd met by chance - then I thought - S*d it....it's perfectly normal for the 30 and unders to meet on the net....why not me. Now I've got a gaggle of mates who are all fixed up this way!

I also worked and lived in London - for almost 20 years - and i'm so pleased I've done it and got it out of my system. I'm planning on studying to do something slightly different when I return to the world of work - as my previous career would mean me having very little family life...and having to forefit those nice comfy jeans for spangly outfits and ££ handbags!!!

I'm not meant to be eating runny eggs...???? WHOOPS

mrsjupiter try not to worry about movements yet....this is my dc2 and didn't feel a thing until 21 weeks...it was a relief though.

I have lazy Sunday'itis' ZZzzzzzzzzzz

Thank you so much jeanjeannie, pwcbird, didoreth and tnp. It's really great to get so much reassurance so quickly.

Tnp I don't live in the UK so I don't see a midwife, just my consultant. Next appointment isn't until the 20 week scan and I don't know if my local gp equivalent has a doppler - I'll check tomorrow. A little bit of me thinks I shouldn't give in to myself because, as my husband says, the worry won't be over now from now on, EVER! And I really don't want to be a neurotic mother. The other bit of me is saying ANYTHING for peace of mind.

I did have some bleeding from the placenta at the beginning of the pregnancy but the baby was growing fine and it had healed by 13 weeks. The thing I don't understand about the cervical erosion is why, if it's not the placenta, I have to rest. The doctor I saw last week when I was admitted as an emergency, says it's to do with the psychological effect on me every time i bleed, but I'm not sure how great the psychology of doing nothing except worrying about the baby is. Of course I'm doing what I'm told but it would be great to understand!

Anyway, thanks again, you've all really helped.

It's nearly bed time (well, for pregnant women) in my part of the world, so I'm off to eat something sugary as per advice, but now won't worry if the butterflies don't come!

jeanjeannie don't worry about it the risk was salmonella but now the majority of chickens are vaccinated. I am being good about the cheese but the French are not warned no to at various sorts when pregnant.

mrsjupiter Early on I used ice to get this one to move it no longer works mind most of the time I wish they would not have a foot where they do LOL It is really normal though not to fel them move much until over 22-23 weeks. This one felt like bubbles popping initially. Now reacts to piano music not sure if it is music appreciation and they are dancing or kicking me and telling me they hate it LOL

Hi MrsJ
You are about the same stage as me (18 weeks + 3) and I have been panicking about movement although have had really strange butterflies type feelings during the night for the last few nights - but then again it could be wind

I am also on the old routine pretty much of bed/sofa due to Spd I have been suffering with for the last few weeks so can completely relate to how you are feeling as I was previously fairly active. As my DH and I run my own business though I am lucky as I can work from home and take things a little easier when not feeling great - It's a shock to the system though having to slow down and listen to my body! Hope the bleeding calms soon - here if you are lonely and fancy a chat BC xx

BTW has anyone got any tips to keep my maternity jeans up haha???? Someone recommended braces....

Sorry forget to say hello all you lovely ladies - hope you are enjoying the bank holiday weekend - apparently the sunshine is going to put in an appearance tomorrow!

Wow it's been busy in here today!

babycakes have you tried the belly bands I see on Ebay?? Oh, and ouch @ the SPD - I hear it's mighty uncomfortable although never experienced it myself.

mrsjupiter sorry to hear that you're still having the bleeding. I've had it on 3 occasions but the doctor was left scratching his head after a scan, internal and swabs for infection all came back ok. Just said it was one of those things - great, just pile on the worry then

As for movement, I'm 21 +1 now and only the last couple of days has LO been hurling itself around inside me.

I knew everything was ok as I'm queen worrywort so hired a doppler machine for the month - very reassuring to hear the little heartbeat when I get a panic attack about him/her. I'll send it back in a week now I can feel the blighter surfing around in it's fluid

Hoping all you lovely ladies are putting your feet up with a big box of chocolates and being waited on......and meanwhile, back in reality world.......

babycakes think you can safely say that is baby not wind

I have braces to hold up some of my clothes about £12 from tie rack was the cheapest I have found.

babycakes I've given up with holding up jeans and moved straight to the dungarees. I've had a complete sartorial bypass and have something of the 70s earth mother about me .....but BOY am i comfy. Last pregnacy I did use some string to hold jeans up and turned over the band.

Seen some mat trousers in La redoute catalogue...and the waist band goes right up underneath the boobs...I reckon they've got to be worth a go!

mrsjupiter I had horrific bleeding in the first 12 weeks of both pregnancies. I mean...admitted to A&E and once it happened in the middle of a restaurant It lasted days....and it was panic all round. But, with no explaination...it cleared up. So, so strange but was told sometimes it just happens.

Sunday afternoon....a cream cake....sofa...and come dine with me on the TV

Sounds like perfect bliss to me jeanjeannie

You would have thought that in this day and age, phrases like 'it just sometimes happens' or the very precise 'it's just one of those things' would be obsolete within the medical profession huh?

Now ladies, I had a funny conversation with my DH yesterday whilst getting in the car outside the supermarket. He asked me (upon seeing a young lass who was obviously pregnant) 'why do very young pregnant women HAVE to show all their belly off to everyone passing? Why can't they get their clothes to meet in the middle?' I'm not sure if this is an age thingy but I shudder at the thought of walking around Tesco letting everyone see my vast collection of stretch marks.

Any thoughts on this - is it an age thingy or am I just an out of date fuddy duddy?

Hi Ladies,
Well, first off I am going to eat a runny egg tomorrow. I am so excited about it, which is totally silly. I buy the eggs with the lions on so HURRAH!
Second... oh how I loved my pregnancy dungarees with DS. I wore and wore and wore them and washed them and put them back on. I'm only 10 weeks and already I'm saying to DH 'go into the loft and get my maternity clothes down... go into the loft and get my maternity clothes down' but as yet he hasn't. I just want those dungarees!
Do you get bigger quicker 2nd time around? All my trousers seem tight and uncomfy though I tried on some maternity trousers in Pumpkin Patch on Friday and they fell off me. I've ordered 3 pairs of drawstring waist (not maternity but drawstring so no buttons) linen trousers from M&S in all available colours - black, white and beige (!!!) and in one size up from my normal size to see me through the summer. Sorted!
No sofa for me today - been to garden centre like the rest of the universe on a bank holiday. Ah me. x

johnworf your post went up the same time as mine so didn't see it til now. I would never show my pregnant belly. I think it must be an age thingy. I like my t-shirt and trousers to meet thank you very much! I guess they don't buy maternity clothes maybe but just strech their tracky bottoms with a dinky t-shirt. I don't get it. It looks horrid.

pwcbird yeppers you do get bigger more quickly second time around. Guess it's because your muscles aren't as tight as before (in general) and your uterus/tum has been stretched out once already.

Glad it's not just me regarding the bare belly thingy. Phew!

Gawd no....I'd NEVER show my preggie belly off. But as I'm so much bigger this time round (only got to 34 wks with dd) I am having trouble getting stuff not to ride up. I've got one of those jersey belly bands to cover the gap!It's not a question of age...it's a question of style No stretch marks though...i'm very thrilled about that...as I'm paler than a pale thing in pale land

Bump yes, flesh never.

Hi - 43 in July and my second baby was born just 5 months ago. A lovely surprise indeed.
If you think young, you'll feel young and look young. My husband is 48+ and still in a band and still enjoys skipping down the road with our 7 year old son to the delight of strangers. Great fun! Good luck to all you preggie young 40 somethings and anyone else waiting for a new arrival.

Hello ladies! I'm a newbie. Thanks v much for the intro hedgepig, I was hanging out on another 40+ thread but it was v quiet. So this is where you all are! I'm sneaking in as I'm actually 40 this coming weds! No champagne or parachuting out of planes for me though. I will be 8 weeks on weds so it's still early days.

I have one lovely DD who is 3. TBH, I've been scared about this pregnancy ever since we found out. Major worry something's gonna go wrong. I had light bleeding for about 10 days a few weeks ago and had a scan. All they could see was sac & yolk so have a follow up scan booked for - you guessed it - my birthday! I've been feeling blimmin sick of late so assuming that things going in right direction. Assuming scan is fine on weds, I really look forward to sharing chat & experiences with you. I've been very bold and added myself on to the list. Speak soon ladies x

Didoreth - 30th April
Wahwha - 15 May
Shulli - ClOSE!
Christie1 - May 29
jeanjeannie- 30 May
Jules43 - 15 June
takenoprisoners - 4 July
Disneystar - 17July
Jackie77 - 17 July
Kaz196 - 18 July
Fortified - 12 August
johnworf - 15 Sept
iapanemagirl - 16 sept
LouiseAnn - 23 Sept
Lexysmith - 1 Oct
Hedgepig - 4 Oct
Babycakes - 4 Oct
mrsjupiter - 7 Oct
Rosa - 11 Nov
Pwcbird - 1 Dec
fruitbowl - 17 Dec
msdynamo -24 December

What a nice message from Sharbee, hello and welcome. Hello also to fruitbowl who's a week ahead of me.

I'd like to ask, can anyone recommend a stretch mark prevention cream, you know, one of those miracle ones? Think I need to get on the case as soon as possible.

hello all you lovely 40 something mum's and mum's to be - I'm not pg but 49 this year with adorable 5 yr ds and 2.5 dd, both natural births, 1st was a fab pregnancy, 2nd was tiring and achey (thought it was my age but the younger mums I knew were going through the same stuff). just wanted to say hello and congrats -and offer encouragement - especially to Didoreth - don't forget the natural inducements - curry's , sex (if you can) and nipple tweaking (I think that could be included in the previous suggestion!). Oh and breastfeeding toddler - Fortuna, I am still breastfeeding dd but it am in the process of stopping and just in time as its just starting to get painful. Good luck everyone!!