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!!!

Wahwha - 15 May
Shulli - ClOSE!
jeanjeannie- 30 May
takenoprisoners - 4 July
Disneystar - 17July
Kaz196 - 18 July
johnworf - 15 Sept
iapanemagirl - 16 sept
Hedgepig - 4 Oct
Babycakes - 4 Oct
Pwcbird - 1 Dec

Seems I have the last due date at the mo - hopefully some more will join. Went to Tesco yesterday and was looking for folic acid and a woman said to me 'ahh your little bump gave it away to me'. I'm only 9 weeks! I don't have a bump. It can only be sad middle age spread (plus the stretchy trousers that don't hold anything in). I'm going to put my jeans back on and to hell with comfort!

Hello all - Cheers for the list pwcbird...wow, we're all pretty spaced out over the year - that should keep us occupied. whawha Ooooo it's getting close...are you ready? Not sure I am - although I did buy a double buggy off ebay the other day and that made it all very/too/horribly (*delete as appropriate) real

msdynamo glad I'm not the only one with baby brain. Found one of my Croc shoes in the fridge and the margarine on the shoe rack. And as for driving...well, I shan't go into detail about the altercation with a Porsche 3 days ago. It's bad enough with dd posting things through the catflap and me spending ages wondering where stuff's gone.........it's amazing what you can get through a cat flap

Thanks to older non-preggie mums dropping by to say hi. I see we've made the front Mumsnet page...OOoo, that's fame for you

Welcome all new Fabulous Forties!
I'm rushing out the door for my first maternity MASSAGE this pregnancy oh deep joy!!! I can't wait to feel as relaxed as my masseur leaves me feeling.

Re testing I had cvs at 13 weeks because my bloods showed very high risks not just my age. My dh needed to know so in the end it was that kind of decision. Hard to have a cvs when getting pregnant as as hard as it is for me! And it's always been really hard for me!

Think it's hugely personal decision and one of the toughest decisions we can make ever.

Wahwah, Shulli and jeanjeanie you're so close I'm very excited!

Have to run and get spoilt (how rarely do I hear myself say that????)

I hadn't realised that 3 of you ladies were so close to having your LO's! How exciting for you

I bought a gliding crib off Ebay with some M&P crib bedding. And I bought a M&P baby changing unit - again a bargain off Ebay.

Still figuring out what sort of pram I want. I had a big old fashioned Silver Cross for my others which lasted ages. I don't want one of these this time around though as I drive most places rather than walk. However, I am looking for a nice bouncy chassis but with something a little more compact. Any ideas girls?

I went into a major panic last night and suddenly though 'oh poo, I'm half way now I should write a list or buy more things in case I have to go into hospital or there's an emergency or .......' and a mad panic ensued. My DH really doesn't know what is wrong with me and is at a loss most of the time as to what to say to me (for fear of me taking his head off in one fell swoop!).

jeanjeannie that is so true about baby brain. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with it. I'm also very clumbsy and everything seems to slip through my fingers and I drop it! Hopefully this will wear off before I hold my DC for the first time

pwcbird doesn't your GP give folic acid to you on free prescription automatically?

If they've not suggested it, I would definately bring it up - especially as you don't have to pay for it at the mo.

johnworf: No she didn't suggest it - merely told me to take it (which I already was). Ooh I didn't know you could get it on the NHS. Maybe it depends on which area you're in. I haven't got my free prescription thing through yet though.

I bought a Mama's& Papa's Pliko Pramette for DS (now 20 months). They're very popular - the Ford Focus of prams it seems - but I've been very happy with it. It's pretty lightweight so you can pick it up and fold it and put it in the boot easily but very comfy for the baby and does that thing where it can be a facing you pram and then turns to a pushchiar later on. DH uses the car so I had to have something that was ok to walk with everywhere. It depends on what you want really.

I too am clumsy and seem to be eating my food from the kitchen floor as I keep dropping things before I can get them on the plate!

Wahwha - 15 May
Shulli - ClOSE!
jeanjeannie- 30 May
takenoprisoners - 4 July
Disneystar - 17July
Kaz196 - 18 July
johnworf - 15 Sept
iapanemagirl - 16 sept
Hedgepig - 4 Oct
Babycakes - 4 Oct
Rosa - 11 Nov
Pwcbird - 1 Dec

Johnworf - sex if my memory serves me well it was pretty regular, very enjoyable,all before children.....
I have been banned from buying any more prams , buggies etc but have TOLD dh that am getting a Quinny Zapp for travelling then dont have to panic if I cant get the buggy back at the gate. Not walkimg miles with a toddler and hand luggage and a bump ! ( He made mumbling sounds and said will see!)

LOL @ pwcbird and eating off the kitchen floor.

Thanks for info on M&P pramette...I'll investigate that one methinks

I'd definately ask your GP for the free folic acid...you're entitled to it

Sure, add me to the list. May 29th is the due date. Great thread. It is nice to read something positive about being an older mom for a change!

Rosa I've seen the Quinny ones and they are rather cute I must admit.

I'm going to take DH around the baby shops this weekend and, if I can keep his eyes from glazing over, make a definite decision on the one I want.

I have read that acquiring buggies/prams/puchchairs can be a little addictive...when I see on Ebay someone selling their Bugaboo cos 'I've already bought 6 pushchairs and my husband has demanded that I sell some of them'. Seriously!

I've just got back from ordering our new sofas and would you believe that the shop was full of pregnant ladies? Even DH commented. Mebbe furniture shops are magnets to us?!

Hi lovely ladies,

So great that's there's so many of us. I look forward to reading this thread daily!

johnworf I remember seeing another version of this article about pushchairs recently.

Maybe it will be useful, it's a consumer testing thingy.

Thanks msdynamo for that. A most interesting read.

I initially liked the look - albeit a tad bizarre - of the Stokke Explorer but DH thought it looked like a zimmer frame with a seat.

pwcbird only today recommended the M&P Pliko which didn't rate very well in that article either. It's all very confusing isn't it?

Talking of which I'm off to look at a friend's collection of prams/pushchairs tonight that she is selling (I said it was addictive!). DH spoke to her and said to me 'can you believe she has 3 of them?!' to which I said 'YEP'! Of course I asked him to get details of all, or at least one, and he came back with none. So I'm doing a blind viewing it seems.

Just bought my bottles and steriliser online too. I think I might be nesting Btw, I opted for the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature system which claims it's designed for using for fill in feeds between breast feeds and emulates the nipple? Any one experienced these yet??

Ooooo, don't talk to me about buggies....so much choice...so little money! I've got a bugaboo for dd (17 months) and while I love it for getting up and down the ridiculously high hills where we are..it's horrid to fold up and down...I kick it at least twice a day And the Phil and Teds was the only one I could see that was in-line and took a baby and toddler. Not looking forward to pushing it around though!

Didn't know that about free folic acid...PAH!

johnworf I'm with you on the sudden panic - I Have baby-free day tomorrow (thank heavens for MILs!) and am going to get stuff for my hospital bag....you know...glamourous knickers and maternity pads. Best do it now before brain goes on holiday. Am thinking about making some meals and freezing them...at least for dd - although that sounds too much like hard work! My poor DP is also long-suffering at the moment - I can't sleep and am being really crabby. Plus he's still building our kitchen (he's a builder/carpenter...so that's ok!) but it means life with a camp stove...as we are kitchen-less. Fingers crossed he gets it finished in time

List update

Wahwha - 15 May
Shulli - ClOSE!
Christie1 - May 29
jeanjeannie- 30 May
takenoprisoners - 4 July
Disneystar - 17July
Kaz196 - 18 July
johnworf - 15 Sept
iapanemagirl - 16 sept
Hedgepig - 4 Oct
Babycakes - 4 Oct
Rosa - 11 Nov
Pwcbird - 1 Dec

johnworf I used the Closer to Nature system with dd...it was recommended to us while she was in special care. I managed breast feeding and bottle with no nipple confusion at all... I thought they were so much better than any of the others...the shape just seemed so much better for her. And dd was tube fed for a week - so if any baby was going to have feeding problems we thought it'd be her ....but all was great.

I've just dug the bottles all out and will do the same again.

jeanjeannie things sound hectic in your house! We had a new kitchen last year and I just don't know how I would have coped with no cooker/fridge and just brick dust for company if I'd been pregnant then!

Yeah that sudden panic hit me last night and you've got a lot less time than I have to prepare. I asked my DH about what we'll do for cooking in the early days of new baby and he stared blankly at me and uttered those immortal words of 'MacDonalds and chip shop'. I think not! I'll probably just stock the freezer up with some quality ready meals and hope he knows where the microwave is!

On the pram front I've just been and purchased a M&P pramette on an MPX chassic. Never had one before but it's light and can be folded with one hand. Along with a baby sling and a bouncing chair. All pre-owned but nice condition and clean (from a friend). I'm doing my bit for recycling

I'd love a nice changing bag like the Yummy Mummy ones I've seen on Ebay but £85 seems a bit excessive. Or does it.....answers on a postcard

Glad that you can recommend the Closer to Nature bottles and they actually work. Do you what what teats are best for a newborn? I was looking at the variflow from 0+ but they do more than one newborn teat I think. Almost bought a couple of dummies as well but didn't as I'm not sure if that'll upset the BF routine (although I'll be def buying a dummy if I get a cry baby - hey, I'm no martyr!) Not sure if they do dummies that BF babies will suck??????

Can't you tell I've had a big gap since my last baby? I think I've just about forgotten everything I ever knew

Hi Everyone,
johnworf - I used the Closer to Nature bottles too as I was mixing breast and bottle feeding and they worked a treat. Also means DH/DP can help! I actually breastfed exclusively for about 5 weeks and then introduced a bottle (as by then I was in rags) and used the 0+ and they were fine. Same with a dummy - I tried without for about 2 weeks then had to get one. It really helped at night time as often he just wanted to suckle. If he spat it out - I stuck it back in - mother knows best after all - .
Get the bag. I never got a bag and felt very left out. I used an old gym bag (as I knew I was never going to get back there again!!! )but always felt like a little something was missing. Maybe this time I'll get one!
Off now to Waking the Dead. My fix of grusome murder.....

Evening all, gosh everyone is being so organised. I have stuff from last time which we stuffed up the loft but I'm not quite sure what we have (it is nearly 5yrs) and anyway my house is so small if I stat emptying the loft too soon I won't get in the front door .

I am thinking about getting a light weight buggy that can be used from birth. I have a 3 wheeler but had to had a cs last time and even after the 6 weeks when I could drive I didn't have the abdominal strength to lift the 3 wheeler into the boot of the car. I am hoping to going to have a VBAC this time (that positive thinking isn't it) but would be best to be prepared. So any ideas would be welcome.

Also if anyone else is going for a VBAC I'd love to hear your experiences, I'm sure my age will be raised at some point.

Oh get a nice bag..pwcbird is right ....treat yourself....or get DH to Way I see it is - you'll be carting it around with you like a spare limb for so long you're best off with one you love! DP bought me a Storksac....a bit ££££ but no more than a bit of a posh bag you'd get as a treat. It's practical and I love it...and yes, it's with me every blinkin day!

I'm now looking into a second hand bouncer. The bouncer I had was rubbish....didn't bounce....ever!Poor dd always looked so bored in it. Just hoping I don't get the reactive arthritis back that I got last time as that put paid to me carrying dd around in a sling. Just think it might be handy to cart the new munchkin about in.

As for teats...I started with the variflow 0+ - then about a month later moved onto the next one - test-driving it on just one bottle to see which one dd was happiest with.

Also trying to watch Waking the dead (MMmmm Trevor Eve.....a fine looking older man) while reading Mumsnet and having my insides kicked about

Hmm, these new threads today have made me realize that pg is a perfect new shopping opportunity, the chance to have nicely coloured trendy baby things around the place. Joy! Of course it's too early for me to start but I did have a peek on ebay. I've also started noticing what buggies people have, something I was totally blind to before.

Jeanjeanie I've never fancied Trev, but each to their own. I fancy John Snow, C4 news reader, which I know makes me very strange.

It's ok msdynamo I fancy Jeremy Paxman. Even stranger huh?

(DH looks nothing like him btw which is sad really for me )

I'm not watching WTD but I am Sky + it. I'm looking on Ebay for a spanking new Oioi, Stork Sac or Yummy Mummy bag. I can feel a splurge coming on!

Thanks for the advice on dummies and teats. DD has said she'll get me some cute dummies in America when she goes next week. By then we'll know what flavour the LO is so she can get the right colour I guess.

Jeremy Paxman eh? I can see why. Have just noticed johnworf that mumsnet has it's own page about pushchairs. It seems very comprehensive. look, I'm already shopping! Help!

Also, with reference to some earlier comments on here, all pregnant women are entitled to free prescriptions and dental treatment throughout their pregnancy. We just have to get a form from our GPs.

I have just bought my first thing for this little lump wandering through Tescos I picked up a small pack of new born nappies for my hospital bag.

Hello again everyone. The scary thing is that when I see the due date list I am on there as CLOSE but actually it's weeks away (I'm 33 weeks tomorrow) plus I have not had the slightest urge to get anything together. I mean, we have an old buggy and lots of other stuff, but I'm totally preoccupied with work and finishing everything off. I'll be stopping about 10 days before the due date and I really wonder when and if I'll ever realise that if all goes well there will be a baby here soon. Then suddenly it will arrive, and I'll be totally unprepared! Still, i think I felt like that last time, and it worked out in the end.
I think the discussion about testing is fascinating, and wonder whether the many women here who chose to refuse tests felt more confident because we are older?
I ended up having the combined test with all the accompanying anxiety, but probably would not have had the courage to think, ok , no testing for me.

shuli Much of the way I felt about the various tests I have felt for a long time. I have a friend who had a Downs daughter after having a low risk triple test in her early 30's and I knew of others.

There is no way I wanted to have anything that would risk a miscarriage it has taken me 15 years to get this far and I had given up thinking it would ever happen (was convinced the little monster was the menopause for 2 months)

And I have no living children and this is my last chance. To even consider a termination it for me personally it would have to be a condition which was not compatible with life and even then not sure I could. I am pretty sure I can cope with most things whether it means surgery or a child with downs. So what was the point in having tests and investigations that would only give me a probability and make me feel more anxious or could risk the pregnancy?

Now I know that is a very personal choice I have friends who have made different choices because either they felt they could not cope with a child with a disability or that a child with a disability would mean they could not give the attention to children they already had and wanted the opportunity to make a decision.

Maybe part of that comes from confidence maybe part from working as a neonatal nurse for 12 years I don't know. We all have to make the decision that is right for us and our families. If I had a child then my choice may have been very different.

I am 43 and desperate to conceive. All of your postings have been wonderful and totally inspirational. Were any of you worried about the health of the baby as you were older mothers? My friend who is 41 has just had a Downs syndrome baby I hope that doesn't sound too blunt. If I ever manage to conceive I will be alone and it would be very hard for me to cope with severe disabilities. This is the only thing I worry about.Did any of you have extra tests ? I am so delighted for yoou all. I think a baby over 40 is a real blessing