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

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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!!!

BUGGER! Nope I stopped taking the folic acid....eek! Bit late now...but, I think there maybe some in the multi-vits I've been taking...ah yes...phew. Reckon a vitamin boost while preggie isn't a bad thing...these little blighters are right parasites take everything you've got....and more....and then want to go to bloomin universtity too

I know - I felt really down about babycakes - just wasn't expecting that at all.

I thought the rain in Spain...stayed mainly on the plane....is that not the case?! Not in labour yet pwcbird but have got period pains and can barely walk! Reckon I'll hang on till Friday though. Totally sympathise with maternity wear....I'm in my dungarees now...you wouldn't wear them with your Manolos..

msdynamo....you are SO exotic...half Spanish eh....pah...I bet you go nice a brown in the sun. Red hair and pale skin me....I can only dream of such things!

babycakes I really don't know what to say words are just never enough at times like this would love to be able to just give you a hug can't reach so a virtual one will have to do (((((babycakes and family)))))

pwcbird Keep taking the folic I actually am taking the pregaday multi vit with it in but folic in particular is important for helping your body make red blood cells and about 25-34 weeks you blood volume goes up so this gives you a little protection against becoming anaemic. It is also thought to offer some protection against pre eclampsia

Don't normally recommend birth and pregnancy books but last year I bought my sister in law a book because she was fretting about pregnancy things and it looked sensible an down to earth. I got it back last week and I am really impressed it maybe because H and I are similar in the fact we want info so we are in control it also appears to recognise we are all different and all have different wants and needs and that these may change.

It's called blooming birth by Lucy Atkins and Julia Guderian published by hapercollins
www.amazon.co.uk/Blooming-Birth-How-Pregnancy-Want/dp/0007184018

mysdynamo I'm off to the costa-del-crime down south Acutally it's very nice - about 15 mins outside Fuengirola my parents have a little holiday house. It means we can walk into the town if we want and do the touristy stuff but we don't have to and have all the stuff we need there. Also because we've been there so often (they've had the house for several years) we know all the nice places to go. Can't wait

Well - will pack my folic acid then - thanks girls - I do have some preg multi-vits but couldn't take them before as they made me feel sick. As that's passing now (thank God) I may start taking them.

Will check out the book kaz1967 - I love knowing everything too.

Keep holding that baby in jeanjeannie - no breathing out or anything. Just lie still and don't move

hello all

Just been for my 24 week app with the mw and disappointingly I have sugar in my urine. Have to go back for another go next week to see whether it might be GD. Anyone got any advice? I really didn't need another excuse to fret! I was doing quite well as it was!

I have joined the support thread for GD but they all have it and I don't know how likely it is that I do....

mrsboogie I would not worry too much glucose in the urine is often nothing at all. Try not to worry even if it is for most people it can be controlled on diet. Try looking up the GI diet it is a generally healthy one for all of us whether we have GD or not and is recommended got diabetes at any time.

Hi mrsboogie, its a pity johnworf is on her hols because she has GD and seems to know a lot about it. She seems to cope well, so I wouldn't worry too much if you can.

jeanjeannie yes I'm lucky I do go a nice brown in the sun. I'm sort of grey during the winter! I meant to ask 'half marathon'???!!
Very impressive! The only marathon I can manage is the chocolate kind and that was even before PG. By the way, how's the period pains going? Is Friday still D day?

I will do that, thanks Kaz1967. Will start tomorrow with porridge for breakfast instead of ehhm.. cake. My mw is useless at answering questions and wouldn't tell me how likely it is that this result means I could have GD. She didnt say anythig to me at all - she tested the urine then walked over and picked up the phone and called the hospital asking if they would take me for a GTT. Not helpful to me at all.

mrsboogie the only advice/anecdote I can give is that a friend of mine had sugar in her urine and they thought it was GD but turned out it was because she was drinking loads of ribena as she was craving it and it just made her urine sugary. So it's not always the case as kaz1967 says. It's very annoying when the medical staff are unhelpful. As if we don't have enough frets already . Before you go next time just try to eat healthily (not something I'm doing I hasten to add - easier said than done in pregnancy I think ) and see what happens

Hi - still here - although with fierce Braxton Hicks and I'm being really rubbish...you know...just lolling around...waiting!

mrboogie I was just going to echo what both msdynamo and pwcbird have said. johnworf is your girl for GD. She seems to cope great...and with lashings of humour thrown in for good measure Also a girl in my yoga class was a bit over-dosed on sugary drinks - hence it being in her urine - so panic not, could be that.

OOOOooo medical staff who are unhelpful / dismissive / evasive or plain rude...Ggggrrrr It always annoys me more when it's a midwife...they're meant to be like lovely angels - all the time.....aren't they? *runs and hides cos they tend to scare me!!

babycakes26
Just read your posting from yesterday, I can't put into words how sad I felt reading about the loss of your little boy Zac, and shed a few tears. My thoughts are with you.

jeanjeannie ROFL to being scared of midwives think I scare them (or medical staff anyway) because I point blank refuse to fit into that little box they want me to.

But I totally agree about attitudes, I was speechless when I read how mrsboogie's midwife had behaved quite honestly it is not only impolite it is the sign of someone unsure of their own practise. It is not something that is life and death right then, what she should have done was sit down explain what was wrong the implications and that she was going to ring and discuss it with x or y who ever she did ring. But it seems nurses and midwives cannot think for themselves like we were taught to when I trained You are emotional enough when you are pregnant without having added stress of a thoughtless care provider.

Mind being a nurse does not seem to help with some, My GP and all the midwives in the practice are fine they listen and talk too me not at me. Some at the hospital and the consultant team on the other hand are patronising and dismissive and it really really bugs me, I would never have dreamt of treating any of my patients in the dismissive way I have been and heard of others being treated. They need lessons in communication skills

kaz1967 that's an interesting post. It is almost like they are at times unsure of their own ability- and therefore, lack the confidence to even engage in the most basic communication.....and reassurance.

I've been lucky in life and rarely needed much medical attention...but since having had DD1 and now almost at DC2 I've been quite shocked. Mostly it's been at GP and midwife level....the brusque, often abrupt way of dealing with you has really surprised me. As a (reasonably) educated woman - it's not the way I'm used to being spoken to. Oddly enough I've found the consultants to be far more upfront and have treated me and any problems with more respect.

Hopefully the next birth (c-sec) on Friday will be a far more pleasant experience than the last one 18 months ago. Previously the after-care was appalling...I shall keep you posted on it this time round !

I'm not sure what it is about my mw - she seems well meaning enough - she just doesn't seem interested in talking things through. I am reasonably well educated also and try to ask sensible questions but all she would say is - if you have GD we will send you to a consultant and he will sort you out. She was the same when I was worried about bleeding - dismissive and abrupt. I certainly didn't have the same experience when visiting the hospital.

Well - I'm 13 weeks and yet to see my midwife! My 1st appt is 17th June (partly because I am going on holiday) so I can not give you any views here yet.

However... with DS I could go on forever! Midwife whilst pregnant was pretty ok - though I never felt I could really chat with her - it was more just check up stuff. I had a more or less trouble free pregnancy though so I suppose that was why.

Yet mw at hospital for birth was a disaster. Now I know they are understaffed and there is a problem but her manner was terrible. Firstly she told me it was her day off and had been called in to cover so was fed up and she had 4 women to see so she would not be able to spend any time with me. The only time she did come in without DH having to fetch her (when she seemed always to just be at the desk with the other nurses) she was on her mobile phone to her sister who, she told me afterwards, she hadn't spoken to for 6 months and was, apparently, a very awkward call! When I asked if I could have an epidural (as you do when you suddenly realise it actually really, really hurts ) she told me no but wouldn't explain why. DH and I were left alone thereafter and finally when I felt that the baby was coming DH raced to get her and she came in saying it was too soon and I was being silly but.. low and behold when she checked there baby was. I wasn't on a delivery bed so she told me 'don't push' whilst she went out to find one which I then had to roll onto,and was broken so I had to roll back again whilst they found another one. It was interminable. Afterwards... thank God it was all ok DH said we should complain but I just wanted to forget about it. First child, you're frightened and you dont' know what to expect. She was a right moody woman

Sorry if that went on a bit too much - that was the abridged version....

jesus wept, what a catalogue of unprofessionalism and ineptitude. I can so understand you just wanting to put it all behind you but how can these people have no empathy for their patients? It's not like you're in to have your roots done or something (of course if you were at the hairdressers you 'd probably get more compassion.

shocking.

Well luckily it was all ok and I have a lovely DS. It's just when you read stuff in the papers about people losing their babies you can see why when there are so many errors being made. I do realise though that so much of it is just that there aren't enough midwives and they are pushed to the limit. Also I think luck comes into it in as much as if you go into labour on a busy night as I did. A friend of mine gave birth 4 days later at the same hospital - they weren't busy and she was fine. It's scary though. I'm due to have this next baby at the same hospital and am concerned but hopefully with me knowing more this time I'll be a bit more demanding!

Anyway - enough already! Jeanjeannie how goes you today? Indeed how are all the ladies this morning. Not heard from MrsJupiter recently - how are you? Hope all is well.

morning ladies, hope it's ok for me to join your little group?

firstly I would just like to say how sorry I am to babycakes. I can't imagine how terrible it has been for you to lose your baby at this stage, I wish you all the strength and love in the world to get through the next few weeks/months/years.

jeanjeannie best wishes for your C-sec tomorrow, I bet you can't wait to hold your little precious bundle

I am 43 and will be due on 23rd October, I do already have children but have wanted this last baby for almost 2 years. I had a
M/C last september and another last april they were both quite early M/C's between 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 weeks, so really excited and nervous about getting this far. My 20 week scan is on the 9th June, really can't wait to get past that bench mark!

jeanjeannie
Good Luck for tomorrow and your C-section, I still have potentially 3 weeks to go eeek!
mrsboogie
I have sugar in my urine the past 3 weeks, had a blood test and my glucose is normal,( Its just the cola and doughnuts I am living on!)!) I just show up every bit of sugar so nothing to worry about. It doesnt always mean GD.

jules43 - thanks - that's what I need to hear!! I did have a piece of cake for breakfast yesterday and five oatckaes before I went to the app. Am eating low GI from now on just in case...

emmys1 congratulations!! - It is great to get over that 20 week mark - especially if you have had m/cs before.

Welcome emmsy1 good to have you aboard. We are all jolly friendly here

hi all, i am now 5 weeks and all is progressing well. i have an early dating scan booked in 2 weeks time. i am a bit confused because some clinics will do an early scan at 6 weeks, some at 7 weeks?

anyway, like DH says, the only thing that is keeping me going are my pregnancy test sticks he knows what a test stick addict i am ! i have kept them all, it is reassuring to see the lines getting darker and darker. the one i took this morning, both lines are as dark as each other. so i am happy. but would be happier after a scan confirms my pregnancy.

i am trying to keep busy so that i do not think about this too much . with DS, i had an early scan at 7 weeks, but i cannot remember how i got through the weeks prior to 7 weeks!

going to the loo is becoming quite tense, i am always knickers checking . boobs sore still, so that is good

anyway, i better stop rambling and get some house cleaning done!

Hi Heron23 I know how you feel, having recently been past the stage you're at. I had a 6 week scan and it was a huge relief and a wonderful experience to hear the heartbeat. So I think you could go for 6 weeks if you wanted.

I have my 12 week nuchal scan booked for next Friday, am very excited!

Good luck today jeanjeannie we will have all our fingers, legs and toes crossed for you!

Have a great holiday pcwbird, your place in the sun sounds fab, lucky you! When exactly are you off? We will miss you, hurry back!!

Also hello Emmsy1 welcome and congratulations on your PG!

hi msdynamo, good to hear you had your 6 weeks and got to hear your baby's heartbeat. maybe i should ask another clinic to see if they would do 6 weeks. my appt is with fetal medicine centre and they insist that i cannot come in earlier than 7 weeks...

any suggestions?
are you in london?

heron23 - I don't want to put a damper on it for you but do bear in mind that if you go in too early the hearbeat signal might not be strong enough to be seen.

I just wouldn't want anyone to go through the same kind of week I had not knowing whether it was there or not until the next scan.