Mature Mom Pg W/ #4 - Green Bay,WI

I've got a 2nd cousin who had baby #4 at age 44 and baby #5 at 47. Both babies are perfect. Baby #5 is now 1 year old and the mom is still tired but loves life. I wish you the best!

Hi M. K,

I'd say I've had a lot of success with having children. My husband and I have had 10....my last three were born when I was 40, 43 and 45. I am now 50. My last seven were planned home births. One was a workable breach. My modus operandi is claiming "shall I bring it to the birth and not cause it to come forth?" (Isaiah 66:9)which is a rhetorical question meaning "of course" and that God is in control.

Sure I've wearied now that I'm enduring peri-menopausal stuff while still enjoying/training such young ones, but so glad I have ten healthy children now 25 down to almost 5 and know it'll be worth it all when I'm 70. I'll be 60 before most all of mine are even close to be out an on their own.

Send me any questions you may have....I think I've handled most everything except chronic disabling sickness in a child.

Enjoy them all,

B. in Eau Claire, WI

M. I was 41 when I gave birth to my first child (Aug of this year,she was born on my 41st b-day) I too was concerned about my age. My doctor told me that although any pregnancy over 35 is considered and treated as "high risk" doesn't mean it will be. Thank god mine wasn't. If I was you I would just take it easy and see what your doctor has to say. I was a basket case up until I had the sonogram to determine any problems. You should be fine. Good Luck with everything. Keep in touch and let me know how things are going.

Hi M.

I am a mature mom of one. I was 42 years old when our little girl was born. I am now 46 & she is 3. She was a surprise and truly the greatest gift of our life. I have health issues so the possibility of ever being a mom was a question.

I consider her a success. My pregnancy and birth were relatively easy. I and my husband took good care of me, I worked FT, lived in Mpls, often bused to work in St. Paul and worked closely with a good o.b., chiropractor, neurologist, ate carefully, did spiritual work alone & with others during pregnancy ----

Sarah is great and healthy. Very energetic, lively, sociable, lots of energy, interested in everything. One ear infection. We took her to ER, got prescription but chose to let it run its course and it went away. Work with a good chiropractor for her. Have chosen not to vaccinate when young and believe that has contributed to low ear infection rate. We are pleased to say we have a healthy family of 3.

Please contact me for any more. I love talking to other mature moms.

J.

Congratulations! I too am pregnant with #4 and my concerns were really stressing me out (not good for the baby). I didn't want an amnio, but did do an early screening test (also called early nuchal translucency test) (around 13 weeks). This is fairly new and includes an ultrasound and hormone levels combined (non-invasive). The results can be much more accurate than other tests and it really helped to put my mind at ease and relax about the health of this baby. You might want to look into that if the worrying is bothering you (or possibly the baby).
M.

hi im 41 and i had my last daughter at 38 she was also planned she was an ivf baby i had plecenta previa with her cuz she was an ivf instead if the normal way she was born c section a month early but besides that i had a healthy pregnancy and she was ok too if you want to keep in touch with me its kool when are you due she was also number 4 i have a 24 yr old boy 21 yr old boy and a 19yr old girl my email is ____@____.com

Hi, I have to say don't sweat it, unless you have health issues not mentioned here.

My pregnancy was totally unexpected, and the first thing my doctor said to me was, "you are not too old to have a child".

I had my first child at age 42. Sarah arrived on her due date and I was only in labor 4 hours. She is a beautiful young lady now age 11. The pregnancy was textbook perfect and she is healthy and intelligent.

We went on to adopt a son who is now 7 and have just completed the adoption of our new daughter who is now age 2.

Enjoy your pregnancy and don't listen to the negative vibes you may pick up from time to time. Email me if you would like to.

I'm about to turn 40 and just had my first baby, who is 8 months now, in February. Both the pregnancy and delivery was pretty normal. I delivered naturally without drugs too. My husband is 59 and he's never been married or had kids before either.

Age is a mindset. You're experienced..a professional mother. Don't worry about your age, just enjoy it!!

P.

I can't offer any advice but it sure is good to read it! I just turned 39 in August and we are trying for number 3. I had my first at 35 and was already considered "advanced maternal age" How ridiculous is that? Had no problem conceiving the first two (first try on both), but we have been trying for 6 months for #3 still w/ no luck.

My maternal grandmother had her first baby at 33 and her last at 42. That was back in the 40's! There is less to worry about yet more concerns. Does that make sense?

You will be just fine. You hear more stories of women having fine healthy babies after 40 that not. Good luck and let me know how it goes so I know what to expect. <smile>

Our neighbor just had her second one at age 40!! He is a healthy happy little boy!! She just was monitored ( meaning more doctors appointments) then I was (our sons are 10 days apart). Good luck!! The only thing she does say, is that her energy level is not where it use to be!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Hi M.!

I'll be 42 in January and I have a 2 1/2 year old son. PLUS - we're trying for another one.

All of the testing that the doctors want you to do can be a bit scary. I tested false positive - which was very difficult and made the pregnancy hard.
If I had to do it again, I would NOT do all of the genetic blood tests.

My son was born healthy and strong and over 9 pounds! And everything that my "specialists" said was wrong!

Good luck to you and your family! I'm soooo jealous!

D.

M.,

It is nice to hear you are pregnant. I had my first child at 42.5 and she is now 3yrs old. She is a beautiful litte girl and very healthy. My doctors concidered my pregnancy a high risk, which to me was okay because I was able to have more detailed ultra-sounds and better care. My pregnancy was a little tiring due to age, but it really was the happiest time of my life. My sister had her 3rd child at the age of 45 (with no infertility treatments), very healthy and happy little boy.

Do take your doctors recommendation... and if you would like a clinic that are specialist for older wowen, there is a clinic in St Paul called Minnesota Perinatal Physicians. I did not use them with my first pregancy but do plan to... if we are ever lucky enough to concieve again.

Congratulations and I'm happy for you.

I was 41.5 when I delivered my son - first child. He was 3 weeks early due to all the usual and customary older mom pregnancy stuff that happens, but I never felt better physically or happier in my life than when I was pregnant with him. He is a very healthy spirited active 3 year old now. I am considering number 2 now at just about 45.

Dear M.--I had my first child at 38 and my second at 40.5. Now we are done. In neither case did I have any trouble conceiving; I have a Ph.D I finished at the beginning of my first pregnancy, and I can say that getting pregnant was the easiest thing I've ever done (being pregnant and being a mom is not so easy). The second pregnancy was planned, but not as early as it happened--I jokingly told people I got knocked up. In both cases I had level two sonograms to look for any abnormalities--in the second I had an ultra screen which included genetic counselling, a blood test for downs markers and the sonogram. But I passed on amnio for both pregnancies. Both children are healthy and smart. I ate right, exercised until I was too unwieldy, and worked as a college teacher until the day before both deliveries, then got back to campus ten days after each birth. Sure it was exhausting, but it is when you have a newborn. I firmly believe that most women can conceive, have a healthy pregnancy, birth, and child into their forties--no matter what scary things doctors and the media have to say. Good luck to you!