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!!!

Line went in fine I'm told and the transfusion went good too.

Not seen her yet until tomorrow but will keep you updated.

Having major stresses with DH cos I'm so on edge all of the time. I'm planning a garden overhaul (for Katherine). Not sure why, just to keep my mind off things I think

CPAP is a way of helping small babies breath. If you think of how hard it is getting the first bit of air into a balloon that's how a small baby finds breathing exhausting CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and all it does is blow air constantly into the lungs to keep them just a little inflated so making it a lot easier to breath. It is a lot less invasive and means she will be doing all her own breathing. It is possible that she might find it too much and have to go back to being ventilated for a short time but the less time she spends ventilated the better and they won't know how well she will cope until they give her a go.

Long lines are fantastic things for tiny tots they last far longer than the canulas (small plastic tube goes into a peripheral vein usually in an arm or hand but can and up almost anywhere including the scalp looks horrid there but to be honest less stressful for baby) with all the drugs they and feed they will be putting through. It is a long (hence the name) plastic tube which is put into a peripheral vein and pushed along inside until it sits just outside the heart. They will xray it to make sure that is where it is sitting.

We usually did not feed until umbilical lines were out this is because the lines going in via the tummy button sit so near the liver and stomach feeding can cause problems (other hospitals may have different policies). Hopefully she will start on your milk soon probably 1/2 to 1ml which sounds such a small amount but we give a small amount first because it helps mature the gut by stimulating the blood supply too it so you do not stress it too much by expecting it to suddenly work at full throttle also if you consider a term baby only has the stomach the size of a walnut and Katherine is so much smaller you don't want to give her too much and make her uncomfortable or cause problems with her breathing because her tummy is so full.

Different hospitals do very slightly different feeding regimes she may start on "continuous" feeds via a drip or be fed 1-2 hourly. As her oral food goes up they will turn her drip down and it's more blood sugar checks to make sure she is coping (poor lamb they must feel like pincushions it's no wonder most end up needing a blood transfusion all preterm babies get o rh- so encourage anyone who is that group to give blood if they can much of it will be going to little one's like Katherine). But how ever they do it up there her total volume over 24 hours will be calculated on her birth weight until she passes that.

rosebury I remember you from a Bristol thread a while back good to see you over here too I am in Bristol still but only just in the process of trying to move up to Lincs

johnworf I'm sure you are anyway but keep talking to DH about how you are feeling men often struggle with babies in NICU especially initially because many are doers when it comes to solving problems and there is not a lot for them to do at this time plus a lot of the care is based around Mums an Poor Dads need looking after too something that can get forgotten.

johnworf you will very very quickly forget how tiny she was if you take one or 2 pics with her holding someone's finger or with your wedding ring.... it will give you some perspective and help you remember just how far she has come.

kaz1967 thanks for all your really helpful information! Wow, an insider with knowledge

I've decided to take weekly pics of her so I can see how she's grown. So tomorrow she's officially 7 days old and we'll do some. I'm thinking about creating a website for her (just so I can blog her progress and put her progress pics on it). I'm sure in a few weeks we'll look back at her and not be able to believe how small she was back then

Had a good chat with DH today and we've cleared the air. Yep, he's a doer and instead of hugging me last night (which is what I wanted) he worked into the early hours. I suppose it's his way of coping with it all. Anyway, we're not much use to Katherine if we split up so I guess we'll have to pull together instead

belgianbun you're a slip of a girl! Keep trying for that LO (tis a hard task we know, don't we girls? ) You're one of the youngest on this thread. Fingers (but not legs) crossed you'll get there!

HI LADIES.... we're home and it's a girl!

Verity was born elec c-sec at 9.02am Friday morning...weighed in at 6lbs 2oz. She's gorgeous - like a slinky little mouse and we're trying to breastfeed..and have huge painful boobs...grr. Had very little sleep and am snatching a quick look at the thread and OMG

msdynamo....Oh I am so, so sorry - my heart goes out to you and your family. It's been so lovely chatting to you...and I'm sending you lots of hugs. Miracles DO happen and when you're ready I keep everything crossed that a much desired conception will come your way. xxx

johnworf Oh darling, bless you ....what on earth?! you're SOO competitive - just had to beat me to it! I read the time on your post - it was just the time I was in theatre...less than 30 mins before DD was born! How is Katherine doing....and more to the point how are you and your family holding up? Again HUGE hugs and love....I do know what it's like in SCBU and hopefully they're treating you all well and giving you the moral support you need. I only spent 20 days in there with dd1...but I witnessed miracles in there way beyond anything I ever thought I'd see. I shall join you in some expressing as Verity has lost desire to suck...and I may explode!

I shall check in and re-read thread as soon as I snatch more time.
Hello pwcbird hope hols is good - don't go giving us any unexpected news

Hello rosebury pleased you've joined us....although - now I've popped am I technically still allowed to play?!

LOVE to all....JW keep us posted sweet x

Hey jeanjeannie! Huge congratulations on the birth of Verity

Well you know how it goes...I was dreading that CS so I thought.... Seriously on the whole, we're doing ok with our ups and downs (a few downs of late). I'm getting there I think and Katherine remains stable - which I'm pleased with.

Know what you mean about the huge boobs! DH thinks they're marvellous and has mentioned getting me pregnant again just to keep them that way Bless little Verity isn't sucking so you're like me, stuck to the end of a pump? Only problem with mine is, walking round Sainsburys and a baby cries, boobs go 'oh yeah, we're off'! and I get milk all over the place

Good to see you back hun xxxx

CONGRATS Jeanjeanie!

you must be so happy and proud

Hi jeanjeannie, was waiting for your delivery news. Big congratulations on your little girl! Am really happy to hear such good news. Well done and I hope you get over the CS quickly, gory details later perhaps?

johnworf stay strong, I hope the next few weeks pass quickly, your precious little girl looks sooo sweet.

Had my D & C yesterday. It was a huge relief. Don't know what to do with myself now as I stupidly turned down work for the next six months. Will have to find something to keep me busy and keep my mind occupied.

Thanks everyone for your congrats...*snatching look at MN while I can!

JW Good to see Katherine is stable...I've just checked out her piccie....bless We've got pics of DD1 just like that and it's amazing how quickly you forget. She really does look bigger than her birth weight - like she's got a bit of meat and fight in her.....take after her mum at all..?!

Think ups and downs are parr for the course with this baby malarky.....regardless of your situation. I'd totally forgotten how sleep deprivation makes you monster woman from hell...poor DP this morning Verity was on boobs from 7pm till 3.30am... Ouch. He slept through it all and the 3 nappy changes....so I was very grrrrr at all his refreshed sleep! But she's just managed one boob so a bit of welcome relief!

msdynamo c-sec was a breeze...positively fab experience...and all women in theatre - apart from my DP. AND the surgeon tidied up my scar cos she thought it could look nicer aren't girls fab!! Negliable pain - only on a couple of paracetamol a day...I COULD empty the dishwaher and do lighthouse work.....but Shhhhh...I shan't !!! AND the midwives had all fallen out of the happy tree...amazing...still in shock by that one -not a miserable old bat in sight

Check in later...hugs *specials ones to Manchester for Katherine x

congratulations jeanjeanie!! Verity is a lovely name. glad to hear the c sec went swimmingly. how long did they keep you in for?

jw - glad to hear all still going well.

Ladies - don't jump down my throat here but I am one of those unnatural types who doesn't really give a fig about breastfeeding - at least in terms of the act itself. Also my OH will want to be as hands on as possible, bless him. I know that breastmilk is best and will of course go down that route but would it be really bad to just express it all so that he could do his turn at the feeding instead of me doing it all?

hides behind sofa

Hello ladies

Just wanted to say I look at this thread occasionally to give myself hope. I'm 42, and have had four MCs in the past three years (at 6, 10, 11 and 13 weeks). But I'm still hoping it will happen for me, as it has for you all.

While it's sad to read some of the stories on here, most of the time it's an inspiring thread!

Any tips on how you finally got PG - I've been trying for over a year since last MC - would be gratefully received!

Hi Herb, i had acupuncture and used pre-seed, i think that is what did it for me. also i relaxed and went on a holiday !

hi all, some fab pictures

www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment1.php

hello again...got another break! And am using MN to get my 10% discount from jojoMebe!!

mrsboogie....I was in on Friday and out monday lunchtime...just long enough.

Wouldn't dream of jumping down your throat. Blimey, being preggie then having a baby is hard enough without someone telling you what you should and shouldn't be doing. For me it's a bit like 'natural' childbirth vs pain intervention....couldn't give a fig....yer don't get prizes! I always avoid those threads on MN....just turn into a punch up! It's such an emmotive subject and I think we should all support each other - whatever our choice.

If i'm honest I feel pressure on me to breastfeed.....mainly from myself....and family. But this time i'm giving it my best shot...but NOT beating myself up if it gets to me and i stop. AND I'm not adverse to a bottle of formula at the last feed so DP can help. Funny, but people have less strong views about weaning..and I feel what solids you feed them on is equally important.

Whah...gawd, listen to me.....or, rather don't !!!

Belgiumbun you're SO young...you keep at it... And herb I'm 42 as well...and the only thing I can recommend is loads of happy sex Relaxed, fun and pleasurable. ...cut down on stress...and have fun trying to get there. Not technical - but worked for me. good luck x

jeanjeannie a quick question for future reference sounds like you had a great experience at the London hospital- can you say which one you went to?

msdynamo sorry, i was just outside London...in bucks...Wycombe General. To be honest it was awful last time (18 mnths ago) but this time the care was amazing! And maternity is closing....moving to Aylesbury

I used to live in London....and most of my friends gave birth at Kings College...and thought it was amazing.

I SO love this thread!

DH is so enamoured by huge boobs at present that I'm thinking of going into hiding

msdynamo I am glad to see that you sound so positive. I know I wasn't half as positive as you were after my MC...infact all I wanted to do was wallow but that's me all over I guess. Keep going girl

Oh! and I resemble that comment about Katherine being a big lass like her mum I did a bit of retail therapy on Sunday. Only problem was not sure what size I was Maternity clothes obviously don't fit me anymore and my old stuff is in the loft. Anyway, I tried a few items on and surprised myself that I've dropped 2 dress sizes from my pre pregnancy size. On a roll I thought I'd get the scales out and BLOW ME! I've lost 5.5 kilos from pre-pregnancy weight. This BF malarky is the best

I love this thread too - and I love the fact that it is always near the top of the list - yay for the 40 something ladies showing the young 'uns how its done!!

Not so pleased to think about my boobs getting even bigger after ... I will topple over if they do. eeeek.

hi ladies, pleased to see everyone sounding so happy after everthing that has happened over the last fewdays.
Many congrats to Johnworf. wonderfulxx
So sorry to Babycakes, I can not imagine how upsetting that must have been for you, I do hope your family and friends are all being lovely and understanding and that you are doing some pampering me things for yourself in this difficult time. xxx
Herb, I went to a herbalist for mine and fell preggers within a month or so after - i think it helps 'the mind' too - you are doing something good for you and your body, i would really rec it, andits not overly expensive. Doesnt taste very good tho, but only a tablespoon full 3x a day. Good luck. xx

I don't really qualify to be posting on this thread but have been reading with interest and wanted to offer some advice just incase it was useful to anyone.

I am 38 and 19 weeks pregnant with my first. I will be 39 when he arrives and we are desperate to have another so I will definately be 40 something by then ! Reading all your posts is very encouraging as you do think that maybe by then it's too late...

We had been TTC for 18months before we got lucky and we went to the Docs after 6mths just incase there was a problem. I knew that I didn't want to do IVF as it was just too invasive for me so we started looking into all other options.

First of all we registered with Foresight and had hair analysis done to identify nutritional deficiencies and toxic overloads. The results were scary and I thought I was pretty healthy We were recommended a heavy supplement program, gave up alcohol, used only filtered water.... and when the test was repeated some months later things were looking much better. We continued with the supplements and sought specialist medical advice. We were offered three cycles of IUI with tamoxifen (I was ovulating without it but it can help) and we conceived on our third attempt.

I have had no sickness or nausea, my blood pressure has remained low (so far), I am carrying a very big, healthy baby boy and I'm still taking the supplements.

I'm not suggesting that this works for everyone but it certainly worked for us and we will be doing exactly the same next time

Hi Jeanjeannie* congratulations well done. I just have some recall of sleep deprevation (it will be 5 years) it is just awful isn't it. Actually I have it now with having to pop up to the loo 1 or 2 time a night I am absolutely knackered.
Johnworf love the picture of Katherine she is so diddy, it sounds like she is doing really well and a jet setter too so young.
I have my appointment with the midwife counsller (sp) tomorrow to go over my last birth and try and get my head sorted before this one. Not looking forward to it at all.
Herb I temperature charted and peered at my mucus but in the end the month I concieved we just had a lot more sex than we had been having

jeanjeannie
Congratulations Jeanjeannie on baby Verity, what a lovely name, take it easy after the C-SEC...

I agree re breast & bottle, will do my best but will not be adverse to the odd formula if necessary, especially for my sanity!

I am just playing the waiting game now, 37 + 3 so possibly another 17 days to go or more ( hoping not)

For the ladies worried about their age and conceiving, I got pregnant naturally at 43 ( will be 44 in October), I thought I was going through the menopause and it was all quite a big shock ( understatement!). So stay positive, I agree with jeanjeannie on cutting stress and being relaxed, as I had opted out of the UK rat race and was overseas not doing much when it happened!!

Johnworf I'm not that positive, just putting on a brave face. Truth is there have been many secret hours of wallowing, and I'm sure there'll be more.

Trying to think about getting up the duff again to cheer myself up!

Herb the general consensus for conception on here was sex, sex and more sex, preferably with a younger mate but failing that anyone you can get your hands on!