Healthy Experiences pregnancy age 40

[Clangershome]

Hello, I wanted to ask if good health experiences age 40 pregnancy. I worry about the increased risk of complications but mostly I worry about death from heart disease or something else. I have 2 children and consider myself healthy and good weight don’t smoke no alcohol etc. I have realised in the last week or so I have a severe health anxiety which I am on the waiting list for intensive cbt therapy. Please nice comments only as I have really struggled recently. Many thanks if you take the time to reply.

I was 41 when I had my first and only child. Yes there is a lot of health anxiety the older you get. To be frank, the things I was told were horrible. I don't need to tell you about the chances of xyz the older you get. I ended up getting my own fetal monitor. For other reasons, I had regular scans and had to have a CS anyway. That took huge amounts of anxiety away.

I'm 18 months off my 40th birthday so not significantly younger than you. Currently pregnant with my first (almost 38 weeks) My pregnancy has been a dream. A tiny bit of occasional nausea at the start, but no sickness. No major aches and pains other than some pelvic pain at night or after standing for long periods. My screening has all come back as lowest possible risk for all checked-for chromosomal conditions. Bloods have generally been fine, a little low on iron but not anaemic and managed with OTC supplements.

At almost 38 weeks, I'm still working full time and I go on a walk every morning. My social life has continued as normal. I have a younger pregnant friend (3 weeks behind me) who's 29, who's been hit with PGP, anaemia and repeated illness/infection throughout. She's exhausted now and done with pregnancy.

My point being that whilst age MAY make things harder/riskier, it's not a given that it will. It sounds like you already look after your health. I'm fitter and more active than the average person so it's definitely helped. I honestly expected to hate pregnancy as many of my friends who had kids younger said they found it hard. But I've loved it and I'm actually feeling sad it's almost over.

Good luck in managing your anxiety, it's great you're aware and seeking help x

I’m pregnant at 41, all being well I will be 42 when the baby is born. All fine so far - the baby and I are healthy and aside from my age everything is low risk. I do worry about the increased risks of placental issues etc, but the increased risks aren’t very high compared to the overall baseline risk. I’m actually lower risk overall than many people much younger than I am - I’m extremely lucky that I don’t have any underlying health issues or other complications. Age is only one of many factors that are relevant.

Thank you for all your support and replies xx