I'm starting to look seriously about TTC again, I have 2 boys 14 & 10. I'm approaching 41 and would love another one. Most places I have looked at talk about the problems 1st time mom's face over if they are over 40, but I'm not a 1st time mom. I had vaginal deliveries both times, #1 was 7lb 10oz (20hr labor) and #2 was 9lbs 13oz (3 hr labor). What are some of the biggest (if any) differences between being pregnant at 30 and being pregnant over 40?
Hi there and congratulations on thinking about TTC! I can't say what it's like to be pregnant at 30 as I had my first daughter when I was 36, my second when I was 40, and I'll deliver this one when I'm 42. But I personally believe that how you feel about yourself has a lot to do with how well you carry and deliver babies. I believe this is true for women of any age, but especially for we women who are considered "AMA". I never felt like my age had any negative impact on my pregnancies. Aside from the obvious increased risks to the baby, I honestly never felt like my pregnancies were any more difficult than anyone else's I know regardless of whether they were younger than I was or not. But I think everyone has their own perspective. My doc never mentioned anything to me about increased risks to me, only about increased risks to the baby. Perhaps there are some, but I'm not familiar with them (I'm sure someone else here will be able to chime in about this -- sorry I can't offer more info about it). My girls are young (our oldest will be five next week and our youngest will be two in Jan) and I think that helps keep me young. I say if you feel well, you take care of yourself and you want another child, go for it! But I'd say that to anyone TTC, not just to those of us who are 40 or older. : ) Best wishes to you. Please keep us posted on your thoughts, etc..
Well, I am 41 and am 7 months pregnant with my 7th child. My twins are 16 months old and my oldest will be 16 this spring (plus 3 others in-between).
I have always been healthy and fit---5'7" and slim. Not a gym rat but always athletic and I have always eaten very healthy (I average around 120 pounds except when I'm pregnant), and have gone back to a size 5/6 soon after every pregnancy, even after my twins. I nursed eveery one of my children into toddlerhood. All my children were born vaginally, unmedicated except for the twins where I had an epidural. The were also born vaginally, even though the second was breech. I don't smoke, don't drink, etc.
The reason I am giving all this detailed info, is that I am healthier, stronger and more energetic than most girls nowadays who are in their twenties!
I think the whole "age" thing, especially if it is NOT your first child is a bunch of cr*ap. The medical community wants to give us all these statistics and data and scare the bejesus out of us to make us fearful and to convince us that we need their "help", but I think it is all a racket.
If you are healthy, happy and have had normal pregnancies and births, the likelihood that you will have another pregnancy that is just as great is extremely high!
I mean, all of a sudden a woman reaches this "magic number", and she should worry? Like I was considered perfectly "normal and fine" to give birth at age 34, but now, only two years later at 36, I have all these things to be afraid of and worried about?
Yes, miscarriages happen and probelms happen, but that is no reason to be afraid to try for another baby if that is what you want.
The question is---how do YOU feel? Listen to your own gut and the heck with the "specialists".
Hello well I guess I am the old broad on the board I am 46 ( turning 47) and currently pregnant with Twin boys, i am the mother to 5 other children ages are 25,23,21,18,and 8 . I have been pregnant in my 20's,30's and now 40's and the differences are in my case nil, I have always taken care of myself I eat right exercise regularly, i am a non smoker. All of my pregnancies have been with out event ( except this one and the small complications are due to being pregnant with multiplies not with my age) I have been blessed with now 7 Healthy children. The only differences I have experience with this pregnancy are the public perception towards me for some reason people have expressed quite passionately that I am too old to be pregnant and to be truthful theses little men were not planned but have always been wanted.
I feel there could be issues with any pregnancy regardless of age, it is true the older we get the higher the risks become. I know that once I was pregnant I researched everything and at on point was terrified. I just had to have faith that everything woud be okay, Having this board has been a godsend talking to other AMA moms is the best thing to help ease these fears or to have the support,
Okay enough rambling all I can say is trust in your self, start taking prenatal vitamins now. It can never be a bad choice is it is something you want. and if you want another then my advice go for it. ( As a mom I only get better with age in my 20's I was a wreak, in my 30's a little more mellow now in my 40's I rock I have the maturity and experience to handle almost anything )
Good Luck with what ever you decide take care ~Carly
(Sorry I may have rambled on...blame it on preggo brain)
I got pregnant on my honeymoon at 39 and had my dd a few months before turning 40 (best present ever)...first marriage and child for both me and my husband.
I'm now 42 and will have #2 a couple months before I turn 43. I have to say I feel great. I've always taken good care of myself....was a professional athlete in my 20's....have always eaten well, etc. My dr was the one that encouraged me to go for #2...she in no way thinks I'm too old to have a baby. Yesterday she even asked me if I was going to go for #3....she's had lots of patients in their mid 40's have healthy babies....so I've never felt old. Yes, the decision to have any testing done is scary...I'm still on the fence if I should go for an amnio....I didn't with my dd.
For me, I love being a mom. I had a great career, traveled, lived abroad....now at this stage of my life all I want to do is be my dd's mother...I'm so grateful for my life at 42.
With my dd (2 1/2)....I had an easy pregnancy, did experience nausea....but that was it. She was delivered by an emergency c section, but only because her shoulder was stuck....if that hadn't happened I would have delivered her no problem...since I tried for about 40 minutes and came so close! I recovered well from the surgery and nursed her for 2 years.
I'm not much help, because I didn't have a baby at 30....but I do have lots of friends, relatives who had their children in their early 20's to early 30's....and to be honest I don't see a real difference. They're just as tired and may even have less patience than I do...I have a lot. I also notice they talk often about the things they've given up to have children...how they never get to go out with friends, haven't traveled, etc. I don't have those regrets...I seem more at peace with my life than they do....just want to spend the rest of my life taking care of my children.
My dd is in a mommy & me playgroup....I've become close to 4 of the moms......and I just discovered I'm the youngest....I'm 42 and the oldest of this group of friends is 51 with a 2 year old too!
Go for it is what I say! Your children will adore a little baby brother or sister! Best wishes to you and your family. Cath xx
