40…. And due May26

[2tobe3]

Wow, where to start. I’m 40, have two children DS-8 & DD-13, and I found out last week that I’m pregnant with number 3. My cycle has been pretty irregular for years and we gave up ‘trying’ for a third around 4 years ago. Almost immediately, the day I turned 40 I started to experience peri-menopausal symptoms and my cycle regulated itself, so for the last 6-7 months we have been ‘careful’-cue a few too many Rum and Cokes and some excellent sunshine and relaxation
in a hot country and whoosh, a swimmer took the lead during our holiday in early August. I’m anxious, and I’m excited all at the same time. I’m experiencing some odd symptoms-period like pains (haven’t had these since I was a teen), cravings for things I don’t normally like (didn’t get cravings til near the end with first two), and I’m ho**y as hell (sorry TMI). My back ache is always there, I’m no twiggy and I’m defo no spring chicken, but the tummy pains are worrying me. Is anyone else finding it much harder to ‘sign on’ with midwife than ever before and I can’t go to EPU without a referral. 9 years ago I just walked into GP and told them I was pregnant and was seen within days!
Anyway, I ramble on, and really all I want is people to talk to (I want to shout it from rooftops, but we are not telling anyone yet-that will be a drama in itself) and I want to also go through this with others pregnant at the same time.
So.. join in, reach out.. talk to me!
Best wishes ladies (6weeks1day)

Hi @Hopingraeoh no! That must have been scary! Your blood pressure would have been raised with the stress and panic of the labour being early, although that didn’t happen! If you are not happy with their decision and your blood pressure is fine while you’ve been monitoring it then you don’t have to agree to go on labour ward.

I am the opposite and so energetic, having to stop myself over doing it! I’ve done almost 12,000 steps today 🥴 I’m sitting and resting now! My NHS due date according to the NHS is tomorrow but by my dates it’s the 3rd of May so we are very close in dates!!

Last scan was ok thanks. It was a week yesterday and the estimation of weight was 9lb 1 😩😩 trying not to stress about it. They are still allowing me to try for a home birth and even though I don’t fit the guidelines because my baby is estimating over the 95th centile and also because I have GBS and they can’t give me antibiotics during a home birth. My pool is blown up and we put the liner and water in when my contractions start 🥴😂

How are you little ones feeling about a new baby around? My little girl is so excited!

@BabyBorn Oh wow, do you think it's a pre labour energy burst?! I literally walked 5 minutes to my boys' nursery a few days ago and thought I could collapse! Been sending DH ever since!
My 4 year old is excited, although he's not impressed we're putting him in nursery for some extra days to give mummy a rest! My 18 month old is oblivious! Haha. I was giving him a bath earlier and I got the feeling I remember I had with DS1 just before DS2 was born...like I'm somehow losing my current baby to my new baby. It's a funny feeling but all part of expanding the family!
Oh bless that your little girl is excited too! She'll be your little helper in a few days for sure!
I've been told they'll likely want to keep me in for 2 days of monitoring after baby is born because of BP. I was chatting to a midwife about it at a review this week and she said it sounds like white coat syndrome based on all my readings and I will have the option to discharge myself if I want to, which is good to know. But then I know I'll worry I'm making the wrong decision! Will just see how things go I guess and try not to fret too much!

@Hopingraewow, no wonder you are tired with a 4 year old and 18 month old!! My youngest will be 4 in July and I thought that was a close gap!! 😂😂 well it is for me as my other children are 21 and 14!! That’s lovely that your little boy is excited! They really understand at that age don’t they! My little girl has a huge list of things she wants to do with the baby already! 😂😂 Including changing nappies!! Ha ha.

I am pretty energetic to be honest. It took me ages to get back to this point after having a really bad case of the flu before Christmas that went on to last 10 weeks!! I am pretty sure I will have the baby on Sunday. I will be sure to update you! If your body is telling you to rest and slow down, do it!

Definitely does sound like white coat syndrome to me! My friend has found this to be the case with her too! Her community midwife triggers her BP to rocket! Her BP is fine when she has antenatal appointments at the hospital!

@BabyBorn how are you? Hope you're doing ok! Did your prediction about little one arriving Sunday come true??

Some nice news from me, my little girl arrived yesterday morning, all safe well and beautiful after a quick spontaneous labour 🥰 we got home in the evening and settling into being a family of 5 with all the chaos and joy that brings! Sleep deprivation in full swing also! 😅

Aawwww @HopingraeCongratulations! What have you called her and how much did she weigh?

Unbelievably I am still catcher waiting!!! This is the first time since the birth of my last two that my baby hasn’t come on time! My dates are definitely correct so she’s obviously just late! Me and my husband are in disbelief over it as he’s only taken a week off and is going back to work on Saturday and we are still waiting!! 😮😮😮 xx

Sitting here not catcher! 🥴

@BabyBorn We can't decide on a name, so taking our time with it! She's very cute though. She was 7lb 2oz so a nice size! Smaller than the boys. My due dates are a bit mixed, DS1 was 41+2 and DS2 was 38+6. DD was 39+4. I'm glad i didn't make it to induction and she came on her own. I'm also glad to have got the whole giving birth thing out the way, the stuff we go through to get these babies out!! 😅

The waiting is tough, you know it can't be too much longer but the limbo of not knowing when is hard going! You'll have baby in your arms and be feeling a whole lot lighter very soon!! x

What a lovely thread!
I was a touch younger than you ladies when I had my second DC, I was 38. I just wanted to nip in and say having little ones in your 40’s is lovely, no problems jumping on trampolines and climbing up climbing frames, so no worries there. I’m 59 now and having a DD who is 20 is an absolute joy, she nipped home from uni this weekend as she wanted to hang out with her parents for a few days. We aren’t any different to her friends who have younger parents, we do the same things, we’re just as close and we keep up with the things she loves.
Good luck with your new arrivals and thanks for the memories for me!

@Hopingraetusrs wonderful news! I am also so pleased that it all happened naturally for you! Have you picked a name yet?

Our little girl was born on the 8th after a 1hr 13 minute labour at home in the birthing pool, it was such a beautiful experience! We called her Elsie. She is already a week old today! 😭😭 How are things going for you? Are the boys pleased with their little sister? Are you bottle or breastfeeding and how is that going? Xx

Aawwww @HotChocolateBubbleBathlovely post! Glad you have very fond memories of your daughter being born! It just flies doesn’t it. Having a daughter 21 myself i will have had both experiences of being a very young mum and an older one too. It feels like 5 minutes ago i was in hospital having my first daughter and it actually brought many memories this pregnancy and it was very emotional thinking about it all.

Enjoy your DD, glad you are so close x

@BabyBorn huge congratulations on the safe arrival of your little girl Elsie! Wow, I thought my 5.5 hour labour was quick, 1.25 hours is rapid!! Hope you've been recovering ok, so glad it was a lovely experience! You've chosen a beautiful name, we decided on Emma after a couple of days :) it really suits her.

The boys were both in emotional turmoil for a few days but seem more settled now! Trying to stop the 18 month old being heavy handed is a challenge!! I've had some blood pressure issues so had to pop up the hospital a couple of times for monitoring. I'm on meds but MW seemed confident it would settle by 6 week mark. I hope so! It's been quite stressful but it'll be a distant memory soon I hope! She's not a bad little sleeper (I know that can change in an instant!) but I'm embracing it for all it's worth atm! Ha. I'm breastfeeding which is going well, although she's suddenly finding one side more difficult to latch on. Hopefully a temporary blip! How is everything going with you? Is your 4 year old enjoying being a big sis?