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!!!

Aah, sleep... I thought I'd be able to score some great sleep in the run up to October what with being so tired and everything, but that plan hasn't been going so well. Between visits to the loo and the middle of the night munchies after which I can't lie down for fear of heartburn, it's been a bit of a disappointment. Oh well, maybe it's practice.

You guys with kids to look after - I don't know how you do it. I feel as though I'm drunk or hungover most of the time. In fact, I'm sure the reason I look younger than 40 is because I've been a great sleeper all my life and my body doesn't like being deprived. I can see myself aging ten years in ten days once the baby comes!

I unexpectedly had an anomaly scan on Monday morning while at the hospital. The doctor said they were going to scan me to make sure there was nothing wrong with the placenta so when the sonographer said I'm now going to do what's called an anomaly scan, I freaked out. My husband hadn't arrived at the hospital yet and I wasn't sure I was ready to hear bad news without him.

The most unnerving thing about it for me, and something I was glad my friend had prepared me for, is that not only does it take a long time - about 30 minutes as someone already said - but they are really quiet while they're doing it. I guess it takes a lot of concentration to spot every organ and measure it carefully - but to me that silence was scary. I couldn't help but think that the concentration meant they had found something. It really helped to keep remembering what my friend said.

I have to repeat the scan at 20 weeks still to make sure everything is growing properly, but they told me that structurally (sounds like a bridge not a baby doesn't it) the baby was fine. So, in short, don't be scared of the sound of silence!

morning JJ
Sorry you didn't get much sleep honey - I have also been up all night with my first flutterings (yay!). I am 18 weeks tomorrow so was starting to get a bit paranoid as everyone kept asking if I had felt anything yet. Woke up early hours with unbelieveable movement that could have been nothing else as like nothing I have felt before! The party in my tum seemed to go on until the sun came up so also feeling tired this morning luckily not in work today though so I can make the most of this with a nap later ;-) How's the baby dancing going for everyone else?

Johnworf - everything crossed for you for Tuesday x I can relate to how you must be feeling as I have my scan in 2 weeks and I am already starting to have moments of panic especially with my NF high risk results. I'll be thinking of you.

jeanjeannie hurray! Your much deserved dishwasher at last! You sexy thing you.

Glad you're feeling good today johnworf all our fingers and legs will be crossed for you on Tues!

Hello ladies, can I join you? I am 29 weeks with my second baby and have a DS of nearly 16. I will be 49 just before the baby is born - am I the oldest mum here? DH is 16 years younger than me (and a fab step father) so we are just so happy to have the chance of a child together. We were married in September and baby is due 17 July so there is hope for us all if an old biddy can manage an (almost) honeymoon baby! Does confirm the lots of sex theory tho I have been feeling rather isolated - I have some younger friends who are busy having babies but my long standing friends are all starting to enjoy their post-children freedom so we don't have so much in common any more. So its great to find so many people in the same situation as me. And other people who understand how much a girl needs a Stork Sak and the charms of Jeremy Paxman!

Hi everyone! Welcome to Tb, Fortified, Fortuna, Mrs Jupiter and Jackie77 - you're in great company!

Now, most importantly, I MUST ask you all: What on earth is this Stork Sak thing you keep talking about??? I am completely behind on the fashions of baby/changing bags. I obviously must have one - what's good about them, where can I get one and how much do they cost??? Spill the info!!

Re all things buggy-related: I am most probably going to buy a tandem. DS2 will be 2.6 when baby arrives, we do a lot of walking DS1 to and from school and so I will need something substantial for him and baby. I don't think I can get away with a buggy board on a single just yet. So, I had a good look at the Jane Twin Two. I really liked the Powertwin three-wheeler thing, but DS2 is already too big to sit in the front, with his knees practically up to his chest, so unfortunately that will not do. The Twin Two 4-wheel jobby is much bigger so will probably go for that ... unless anyone can recommend another type of roomy tandem??

Am interested in those Closer to Nature dummies, Johnword - yet another thing I've not heard of, so will check them out as I'm off to Motherare this weekend for some breastfeeding nighties ...

jackie77 I'm mightily impressed that you're brave enough to have a baby at 49 - and here was me, a mere child myself at 41, thinking I was old

Thanks ladies for your messages of support for Tuesday and for the info mrsjupiter on the silent bits! Glad I'm not the only one to freak out. I'm focusing on finding out the sex so that I can go on a mammoth shopping spree the next day (or night online if I can!). This is my reward for being a brave soldier

If I don't post over the weekend I've not gone AWOL but we've just bought DSS a new bike so we're taking him out to test drive it, weather permitting.

I'm having a 'slow' day today workwise i.e. I can't be bothered, Friday and all, so I'll probably be lurking around for the rest of this afternoon.

Morning all

Can I join this thread?

I am 43 and 33 weeks with my first and last baby. I concevieved naturally, bit of a shock and I am going to be a lone parent too.

However I am now dead excited but its been a very long, emotional and trying pregnancy.

Anyway its nice to find some older Mum's as I do sometimes feel like the granny!

Is it me or do many of the Mum's/Mum's to be seem to be having an elective c- section? Is there more reasons to have a cs in older mothers?

I was hoping to have natural birth, circumstances permitting, however I am slightly concerned about prolapse and incontinence??

Any experience or views would be helpful?

Hello Jules43 and congratulations! I personally wouldn't let anyone push you into a C-section if you don't want one and there's no sound medical justification for it - there's aboslutely no reason why you should have to have one on age grounds alone. I had a natural birth at 39 and had written in bold all over my birth plan "no section unless absolutely medically necessary". Not to undermine those who do have them, for one reason or another, but I do think that they are offered all to freely. I too am hoping for a natural birth again this time round (I'm 31 weeks, so just behind you!) and while I'm remaining open to options about various pain relief, I'm still adamant about no section. Are you planning on giving birth in a midwife or consultant-led unit? Have you got some good support with your views? There's no reason why you can't aim for that natural birth if you want it, imo. Good luck .

Thanks for that Takennoprisoners

I have the option of a small midwife led birth centre or my local hospital and am seriously considering booking the birthing centre as I can always choose at the time and be transfered to the hospital if there are any problems.

I am not keen in the CS, apart from the whole operation thing then I wil be home alone with some help from Mum and sister but not 24/7 so I don't want to be incapacitated...Need to do that birth plan thing, been meaning too for a while.

Great you've got a birthing centre option - I started my labour in one, it was lovely, but ended up being transferred to the hospital for failure to progress (the likelihood of this is quite high), but I still had my natural birth. The consultant was hanging around outside, itching to do to section, but the midwife with me was very supportive and I was "allowed" to go at my own pace! If you did have to end up having a section, could you transfer afterwards back to the midwife unit for post-natal care for a while? I think most of them offer that service, and you'd need it after major surgery, so something to consider if you do have to go down that route ...

jules43 I've had 3 children out of my cat flap - the normal way - but this one is down to coming out of the sun roof - C Section.

I requested one as I had a 3rd degree tear on my last baby along with some incontinence afterwards. Don't fancy the prospect of future surgery due to my undercarriage falling out so I've elected myself for a CS.

Consultant agreed but said I probably would have had one anyway as I'm already on meds for hypertension and I have gestational diabetes.

As those who have read through this thread will tell you I'm not looking that forward to the CS but it's the lesser of two evils

You can have a look at Stork Sac et al on this link www.funkymoose.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=45&zenid=3b06193ea4864322a798cdf32e100cfd

Oioi, Babymel and Skip Hop are also nice. Just organise yourself a second mortgage first....seem to hold their price second hand on Ebay too so a plus for selling on afterwards.

Welcome to the new ladies who have joined in the last couple of days. Please find the latest list of thread members and add yourself in.
It is good to be amongst other "older" mums. I feel quite a baby at 40.5.

Added myself to the list!

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

Hi Ladies
I have been lurking but wondered if I could ask you all whether you have been
recommended for 38 week induction purely based on your age? This is what my consultant wants me to do and I just dont know. Apparently the stats for stillbirth beyind 38 weeks rise significantly for over 40's (I will be 41 by EDD). My previous 2 births were 2 1/4 hours each and I dont want to jinx this really

Thanks

Bella

Added myself to the list

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

Hi Arabella11 I've never heard that about stillbirth before however, when I went for my booking in appointment back when I was 12 weeks at hospital, my consultant put me down for IOL - induction of labour - and I never thought to ask why. Perhaps this is the reason??

Blimey - you turn your back for a couple of hours and there's more 40 somethings....place is teeming with us!!

jackie77 HELLO and I bow in your presence...you've swept off with all the prizes.....oldest here....and youngest dh gap too. Perhaps I should add luckiest to that then

jules43 no don't let c-section pressure get to you. I'm only having it cos dd is still only 17 months and I had horrendous infections (inside and out - sorry TMI) and it's dubious as to wether the uterus will hold out...it had a big bashing during emergency c-section. They did offer a VBAC but very monitored and I decided to go with the elec cs - as I couldn't face the trauma again.

takenoprisoners I luv my stork sak cos....it looks like a normal bag - sort of understated and something you'd think looked nice, even if you weren't planning on putting nappies, muslins and bottles in it! I've found it really practical too.

arabella11 i've not heard anything about rise in still birth....not mentioned to me at all. I've been told to wait for c-section until past 39 weeks .... that baby should be in there as long as poss. Not sure if it's the same for a vb....worth checking I'd say.

Am also having a slow day - just been back from docs and blood pressure is so low it's scraping the floor...so feel all wobbly and odd. I think a choccy bar may really help

Hi Arabella11 - I've not heard anything about induction at 38 weeks to lower stillbirth rate. I remember reading somewhere that stillbirths are slightly higher in both the under 20s and over 40s age-brackets, but I don't think the rates rise 'significantly'. I would have thought that the closer to term the baby is, the better chance it has, assuming all else is well. Def. quiz your consultant over it.

Johnworf - perhaps your consultant was considering induction because of the diabetes (had it been diagnosed at that stage?) Will you be having your C-section at around 38 weeks?

Thanks for the info on the Stork Saks - I never knew such stylish changing bags existed and will have to get myself one pronto!

TNP I hadn't been diagnosed with diabetes at 12 weeks..I think I was ok then actually.

Only reason I can think of re the IOL is my hypertension(?) I know I have written on my notes that I'm high risk - age factor, high b/p maybe, pre-eclampsia in previous pregnancies - I really don't know, I'm just guessing. I shall ask on Tuesday when I'm next there.

I know I'll be lucky to get to 38 weeks with this one anyway. It's growing like a weed and I'm gi-normous already. Factor in the diabetes and I think I'll be looking at the 36 week marker.

Hi everyone
Not been on a day or two. It's really growing our list - it's great to have everyone here.

Arabella11: I had a friend who had a baby last year aged 40 and they decided to induce her a few days before her due date as the consultant believed that after 40 weeks the placenta on a 40yr old deteriorates significantly that there could be a higher risk of stillbirth. However she was virtually at her due date, not two weeks earlier. No-one has mentioned this to me (though I'm only 9+5 weeks and haven't really seen anyone yet apart from blood tests and all that). I was just 39 when I had DS and it was never considered for me. I think it's down to where you live and what the doctor who's looking after you thinks.

Jules43: I had a natural birth for DS at 39. No-one even suggested an elective c-section. I think if you are well during your pregnancy there's no need to have one. Although you'll walk like you've been sitting on a horse for a week and doing a pee is oooooooooh sore, let alone a no.2, from what I've seen with friends who've had c-section the recovery is quicker.

Oh dear brain has fallen out already re positioned myself in the right place DOH!

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

Arabella11 My consultant does not want me to go over 41 weeks because of the risks associated with a failing placenta as you get past 40

babycakes26 don't panic if you do not get movements every day initially or only when you are inh certain positions. I felt this little one from about 12 weeks and by the time I got to 17-18 weeks they were still not every day and it did make me panic a bit my midwife reasured me it was normal and not to expect it every day until you are about 22-24 weeks

talking of movements i have hardly felt this little guy for 2 days just an odd kick maybe 1 or 2 thats it hes got till tomorrow though or im going down for a trace,i know hes probably just changed positions but its worrying all the same isnt it
johnworf i cant remember sorry did you say you are on insulin if so hows is it going?how are your blood sugars doing on it?

Hello everyone - I'm not really joining just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS to all of you.
I had DD at 40 and DS at 43. Had great pregnancies (apart from heartburn, piles, etc ), reasonably easy births, including a homebirth with DS and two and half years down the line am still loving it. It will keep you young, if not it will keep you fit

Enjoy it all

Just a thought...didoreth...are you out there? Any signs yet? x