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!!!

Morning all. Feel knackered today. Between baby and dog they've conspired to get me up before 6am on a Sunday .

Anyway, just catching up on a few last minute orders before we go away. Spent y'day afternoon doing the packing and working way through various jobs that need doing before I depart. OOh and the lovely blind man came and fitted my new blinds and I think they look absolutely fab

So jeanjeannie you're horny and huge? Not a position I'm in yet - well 1/2 isn't bad is it? Libido is on ice until Christmas when I've told DH he can unwrap me as long as I'm not too tired! Poor dear, he's being very patient.

Saw the netty knickers on NCT website y'day and thinking about getting a few pairs for after my CS. Not a bad price either. I think it was this thread that was talking about that...wasn't it?

I chickened out of having my nuchal as I just thought it'd be worry that I didn't need. I've already got enough imaginary worry on my plate! Blimey jeanjeannie 1:2? I would have been hysterical with that outcome.

hi all, i am just newly pregnant. no real symptoms except for sore boobs.

question: does the level of soreness vary from day to day?

i am still at that stage where MC can happen.

so am keeping close eye on my symptoms

no morning sickness as yet. will be 5 weeks in 2 days time. so very very early still.

mornin all

heron23 - congratulations - it's a bit of a long old haul from 5 weeks to 12 I'm afraid. I couldn't wait to know whether things were going ok and went for a private scan at about 7 and a half weeks. Unfortunately it was too early to see a heartbeat so I had to wait an anxious week until they would do an nhs scan to see whether he was ok. I wouldn't recommend it!

You can probably expect the sore boobness to last until about the 12 week mark and reappear on and off after that. It does vary though - depending on hormone levels I guess.

jeanjeanie (and johnworf and mrs jupiter) thanks for the advice. The usual tricks don't seem to work on this LO. he moves a bit after I eat and I can feel gentle movements when I lean forward sometimes. The thing that worries me is he only seems to get really active on one or two days a week. So after he's had his busy day the movement tails off and I get worried. He's been like this since week 16 but I keep thinking that when I reach the next milestone (20 weeks, 24 weeks) I will feel proper regular kicking but I don't.

johnworf gosh I hope you don't take this weather with you bring on the sunshine ....I'd do a sundance....but my knees may buckle under the weight

And yes, I WAS hysterical for days....I'd also had a NHS cock-up - our consultant who'd initially done the scan and bloods forget to organise a CVS - so, with just days to spare, (or I'd have had to wait ages for an amnio) we had to fork out ££££ to go private. It was an absolute nightmare. My poor DP was a blo*dy rock - bless him.

LOL at a 'blind man' fitting your blinds...took me ages to realise he wasn't actually blind!

heron23 it's a difficult time isn't it? Sore boobs seemed to be my first big indicator...and they just came and went...some days/weeks they felt like they would burst then ....nothing. No blinkin consistency these symptoms!

mrsboogie the movements you experience sound very much like mine. Lean forward and off it would go - then nothing. I went to pregnancy yoga and everyone would be talking about the constant kicking yet I've never really felt that. Usually soft movements and in the eves, after a meal...weird stretching - or hiccups. I wonder if it's the make-up of your muscles...or the way baby lays. Both DD1 and this one don't go nuts...and often take, what seems to feel like, a couple of days rest!

Well johnworf have a fab hols - I will fill you in with all the nice, fluffy, soft, cute c-section details when we both return. have a lovely time.

Everyone else relax and enjoy the beautiful weather x

jeanjeannie by my guestimations and that of the nice man on BBC weather, we're to drive through pissing heavy rain tomorrow - from north to south - which will clear by Tuesday in the South but will be well on it's way ooop north. Swings and roundabouts really. As long as I get a couple of days blistering in the sun (under factor 600 and a hat) I'm a happy bunny

As for the pregnancy symptoms I had all the text book ones for this LO. Started with the boobs around week 5, then the sickness shortly afterwards. OOOh and absolutely bloody knackered as well...along with lots of weeing etc etc.

I paid for a private scan at 7 weeks and saw h/beat. Only went as I'd had a previous MC and was fretting - and not stopped fretting since for various reasons!

I'm at 24 weeks now (sorry mrsboogie not sure where you are but think you're around same as me), but I think we have to remember that all babies are different. This one in tum at mo is a wriggler and a centre forward. Bladder makes a nice football and she holds breakdancing classes around 11pm each night. However, didn't feel much at all up until 21 weeks then all hell broke loose in there (and this is my 4th not my 1st)

jeanjeannie is Thursday DDay? I'm hoping you give me all the bits - gory or otherwise - so I'm in the know for my CS. Wishing you good luck if I don't get my laptop working while I'm away. OOOh I'm sooooooooooooooooooo excited for you

teehee@blind man. No he wasn't visually impaired...at least I hope not

I'm trying to organise DH to within an inch of his life as I have SO many lists to go through for going away (no it's not a year long round the world trip, I'm reminded) but he's not playing. He's lying on the sofa watching silly grand pricks (prix) and won't play!!! No fair!!

johnworf...D-day is Friday

Afraid I'm doing what your DH is doing....just not getting on with things. There's the place to clean - ironing to do - dinner to make...and I'm on MN and watching Midsommer murders..! But hang on - I've got an excuse - I'm preggie - I'm allowed! Now pull that plug on the grand picks and get that man into action

Byeeeeeeeeeeee....*waves x

hi jeanjeannie, mrsboogie, i am the same, the sore boobs kinda comes and goes.
i am looking forward to my dating scan. i was going to get it at 7 weeks to see the heartbeat. but might wait another week to make sure it is there!

i have quite a few test sticks. so what i am doing is testing every couple of days, to see the (reassuring) darkening line. for my 1st pregnancy, i had 2 blood tests, a couple of days apart, just to make sure that the hcg level was doubling nicely. this time, i just dont want to spend that kind of money. saving it for the CVS.

i am planning to have it at fetal medicine centre. anyone had it done there?

I had my nt scan and bloods done at a private clinic in Leeds. Before I had that done I had almost convinced myself that I was having cvs or amnio just to be sure - I thought the age related risk looked so bad. But the results from the nuchal/bloods came back as 1:20,000 for Downs and 1:50,000 for Edwards syndrome. So there seemed no point in risking miscarriage after that. Depending on where you go some places will look for the nasal bone now, which if visible further reduces the risk of Downs.

thanks mrsboogie, i will have the nuchal and bloods first then.

how many weeks are you now?

Hello everyone. johnworf your posts will be sorely missed. Hurry back here as soon as you can!

jeanjeannie, I want a detailed account of gory details too please.

I am pleased to report that my OH is putting up IKEA shelves as we speak, even though he doesn't know one end of a drill etc as I said before! I am training him slowly

heron23 apparently the fetal medicine centre is very good, and only the professor himself does the CVS, and he is supposed to be excellent. Mothers on my ante natal thread have used him and report back in glowing terms.

thanks for the info msdynamo

I am 23 weeks heron23.

MissDynamo - what's the secret? - my OH has spent the day at his dad's making a frame for his new steering wheel, pedals and gearstick (that cost 150 quid and not a thing bought for the child!!) for his PS3 racing games. ;)

I don't mind though - he might as well make the most of it...

heron23 I went to the Fetal med centre. Best thing is to book the scan and bloods...and then decide what to do. I second mrsboogie really excellent results wouldn't warrant the risk of the test. DD1 was 1:3000 but this one....1:2 so we really felt we needed to know.

I had Prof Nikolidies do my CVS...although I'd had bloods and scan done via NHS consultant (but privately) the week before...so we knew they were BAD

They repeated everything (scan & bloods) and then we decided to go for the CVS...we were told on making the appointment that if you think you'll be wanting a CVS (depending on results/pesonal preference etc) then you'll need a Weds appointment - as the great man himself (who is very jolly & quite mad )does all the CVS on a weds....be prepared for a long wait!

They were amazing - the equipment was mind blowing....such amazing pics of the little one

msdynamo I shall spill the gory details to you....although johnworf is a bit of a wuss and only wants the cute, pretty, sparkly info Just tried on my HUGE new knickers for the c-sec....MMmmmmmmm....Gawd I look attractive in them. I saw my sex-life disappear for ever....

hi jeanjeannie, that is a good idea, your going to have the bloods and scan done and then CVS if required.

did you have to book your CVS way in advance?

Indeedy I am jeanjeannie. I am a wuss of the highest order

heron23 No - I had to make an emergency, desperate plea to them....as my time limit for a cvs was almost up They fitted me in on the very next weds...just meant i had to wait longer once there. I'd recommend ringing and seeing what dates they think are optimal for the scan.

WUSS! WUSS! johnworf is a WUSS!!...*blows rasberry and runs away.....

i

Morning all - sorry I've been a bit hit and miss on the old mumsnet - what with DH being home and demanding attention etc!

jeanjeannie how are you today? Getting things organised? We go on holiday on 30th so I'll be in Spain when the news breaks. However I shall have to rush to an internet cafe to hear all the gorey details - and I love gorey details so please spill all.

Heron23 I don't know where you live but you can get nuchal/bloods/cvs on the NHS. I'm in Croydon, s. London and I just asked my GP about it and she referred me to Kings College (also s. London) to have my 12 week scan there as they do the nuchal/bloods there and then and then if the news isn't good they will also do a CVS there as well. Kings College fetal unit is headed by Prof Nikolidies of the Fetal Medicine Centre - it's his NHS area - though I don't think you'd actually get the great man doing it himself. As I said before I was all prepared for the cvs but as my nuchal/bloods came back good they advised me against it. They were great there and did a really thorough scan. I was lucky as I live within the area but I have heard of people from as far as Brighton going to Kings.

Hello there, I live in Hertfordshire, and I was flatly refused a nuchal scan, my hospital only offered the triple test at 16 weeks, so I had to pay to have it done privately, a bit of a disgrace I think, considering my age (43)!

I could rant about how the National Health Service is nothing of the sort and go on about postcode lotteries....

johnworf there is nothing wrong with being a wuss - me too! I will have to investigate the net knickers, they sound delightful! I was thinking of enormous al la Bridget Jones still pants off the market!

jeanjeanie hope all goes well on 30th, not long to go, do tell what you are packing in your hospital bag! I am scheduled for a section too and cacking myself about it (not good in netty knickers!)

hi pcwbird, i live in central london. thank you for CVS info - i will pre-book the CVS and if i dont need it, i can easily cancel. i assume they do the bloods and nuchal first?
from memory, the results of bloods and nuchal is available pretty much the next day.

i am nearly 5 weeks - starting to feel nauseous, especially when brushing teeth. and just want to sleep!

but i cant stop myself looking at baby things - eg moses basket...

i know a moses basket is soon too small but they are so so cute, i regretted not getting one for my DS.

I think it's disgraceful that it just depends on a postcode lottery as to if you get things on the NHS or not! Rant rant .

Heron23 they did my bloods and nuchal all in one and gave me the results right then. I had my blood test done - then back in the waiting room for 20 mins (yawn) then in for the scan when they did the nuchal and before they'd finished the bloods were back and so they did the combined result. Whole thing took about 2 hours. Obviously though, as minniethemoocher has just said it seems to depend on where you live and where you go.

I loved my moses basket for DS. It's great as you can just take the baby into whichever room you're in and they're all nice and snug and lying flat. Also it meant that if he fell asleep we just took the moses basket upstairs to our bedroom and didn't transfer him to the cot until he woke (you know what it's like with newborns especially if it's your first, you pick them up like they're fine china etc). Only lasted 3-4 months on the outside though.

Afternoon all (sound of the Archers theme tune in the background..dum dee da da dee..)

minniethemoocher yep - I was refused a nuchal scan. Here in Bucks it's all through the NHS but you must cross consultant's palms with silver...and loads of it. Turns out it was the same blinkin price to go to the Fetal Med centre....so should've gone there first anyway. Don't like the triple test - here in Bucks they've abandoned it....too many false positives...seems very unreliable.

heron23 the FMC do bloods first - then scan. Bloods take about 30 mins...so all you results come through by the end of the scan...no messing about!

Just washed all the bedding from the moses *basket....Awwww...sweet. Seems so tiny.

pwcbird I'm obviously gutted I shan't be in spain with you but will definately pass on all gory details.

minnieM I've got two bags..(one is never enough) one for baby stuff...and one for me.
It looks a bit like this:

Big knickers...I had net ones last time and they cut inside my thighs...probably just my tree-trunk legs So i've just gone for HUGE to cover scar.
arnica tablets (take one the day before)helps with the bruising.
acidopholus tablets as you get given anti-biotics and they seem to strip your gut of nice things.
Soft dried apricots get that first poo out
cranberry juice catheter can give you cystitis...and you'll need to wee as much as poss
breast pads Hopefully feeding will go better than last time!
dark towel
anti-bac wipes
maternity clothes stuff with the soft waits
PILLOWS! ah yes, my top tip. After a c-sec lying flat is a nightmare - and being propped up on NHS pillows is horrible. I took in two and a crescent shaped feeding one - that was brill for protecting the scar.

Should i think of anything else - I'll let you know. And I bet you look gorgeous in net knickers

Hello, Please can i join this list? I am 48 and just found out I am pregnant with number 4. Still in at the moment. Am i the oldest here?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/49/536995

Welcome simck. You will find us all very friendly. I have just read your thread - wow - amazing and fantastic. Many congrats. I read an interview with Arlene Phillips a while back (you know - judge from Strictly Come Dancing) and the same thing happened to her at 47 - thought it was the menapause etc and then found she was pregnant.
I'm not sure of everyone's ages here - we haven't written them down though everyone is very open. I feel quite a youngster here at 40 (will be 41 when DC arrives) and 13 weeks pregnant. There is a list somewhere further back of all our due dates. Have you been to the doctors yet? What are your other children's ages - will there be a big gap. Many congrats

Here's the list... you can just cut/paste and add yourself..

Didoreth - DS 11th May
Wahwha - DD 10th May
Shulli - ClOSE!
Christie1 - May 29
jeanjeannie- 30 May (it's not long now!)
Jules43 - 15 June
takenoprisoners - 4 July
Disneystar - 17July
Jackie77 - 17 July
Kaz196 - 18 July
Fortified - 12 August
johnworf - 15 Sept
iapanemagirl - 16 sept
Mrsboogie - 18 Sept
LouiseAnn - 23 Sept
Lexysmith - 1 Oct
Hedgepig - 4 Oct
Babycakes - 4 Oct
mrsjupiter - 7 Oct
Minnie the moocher - 5 Nov
Rosa - 11 Nov
Pwcbird - 30 Nov
fruitbowl - 17 Dec
msdynamo -24 December
Heron23 - waiting for EDD