44-Year-old-mom to Be Hopefully!) Needs Advice

Congratulations!! I found myself unexpectedly pregnant at age 39 (what a blessing!) and due to all my traveling at that time, I KNEW exactly when I would have gotten pregnant as my husband were only home together 1 night that month. Despite my telling the Dr that situation, the always calculated me as farther along than I was....
My advice is just ENJOY your pregnancy (I know you'll be exhausted the 1st trimester, and hopefully not sick) and go with what the Dr's are estimating.
And here's a little bit of advice..... although my Dr.s watched me like a hawk due to my "advanced maternal age", I did have to go on bedrest at the beginning of my 3rd trimester. Never even thought that was a possibility prior to that and I felt perfectly fine (pre-eclampsia). So, get as much done ahead of time in regard to prepping for the baby as you feel comfortable with - ie bassinet w/sheets, onsies. etc.
At the time I was admitted to the hospital for bedrest (11 weeks before due date), I actually told the Dr that I couldn't possibly do bedrest - I had way too many things to get ready!!!! Seriously, I only wish I would have planned for the OPTION of being on early bedrest and had just a small "hospital/bedrest kit - books, list of phone numbers, comfy pj's, ipod loaded with music/movies, etc. packed and ready to go months before my due date "just in case".
Best of luck to you and I hope all goes well! -

1 mom found this helpful

Your due-date will be calculated according to the first day of your last menstral cycle... not according to your date of conception... there are lots of websites online that will calculate your due date for you... just google search for pregnancy due date calculators....

Hi! I am a labor doula and from my calculations it looks to me like you might be abot 3 weeks pregnant! Congrats! I am so sorry to hear about your miscarriage! How far along were you? Good luck!
S. B CLD
Aurora IL
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

Congratulations!! How exciting!!!

I teach Bradley Method classes.... if you are interested- let me know!

G.,

I highly recommend the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler. It's a fantastic book on our bodies and our fertility - I'm 38 and considered myself to be well-educated on how my body works, until I read the book! There were so many jaw-dropping moments, I couldn't believe it (like, "Why didn't they teach us that before?!"). I know it is sold in bookstores throughout Chicago and on www.amazon.com. There's a great section on advanced maternal age (which is what we are), miscarrages, taking your temperature to determine when you are fertile, so many great things! A good read.

Congratulations on your pregnancy and good luck!
~M.

I have 3 fertility babies so I understand your tenative time your going through. Please call your doctor right away if you think your pregnant and ask for your homone levels to see if they are progressing normally as I ended up giving myself shots to stay pregnant. If the pregnancy is truly meant to be, give it every chance. I understand there are those who say let it happen naturally and if it is meant to be it is meant to be. Well all mine are fertility based, chemically kept by shots and all induced with epidural(no sections). Last 2 breach until the last minute as well. Good luck. E-mail me if you have more questions.

Barbara
____@____.com

Try to google a due date calendar, it will tell you when you are due, and what each stage should be like! Good luck, it is a very exciting time!

Congratulations G.! I did not know exactly with my first pregnancy. In the visits with ob-gyn, eventually there will be ultrasound and a measurement of the cross section of the baby's head to help determine when your healthcare provider believes that your baby will be arriving. It is good to connect with your health care provider to start getting regular visits, vitamins, blood pressure checkups and the opportunity to ask questions. I had the same ob-gyn for many years and he retired so now I am working with his partner - Dr Michael Pourtabib in Naperville works out of Edward Hospital. The doctor you work with will depend on your health insurance (who is in your plan), and what hospital is near where you live (where you want your baby delivered).

I write this as mother of three children. I teach prenatal yoga (students usually around 13 weeks pregnant or more) at Universal Spirit Yoga in Naperville and at local fitness center in Aurora. If you email me at ____@____.com I can give you details about where I teach in Aurora, IL.

But, your first step is have ob-gyn that you are working with on a regular basis.

G.,
When I had my son, due date was figured out by the first day of my LMP. Add 7 days and subtract 3 mos and that would give you your due date. Also there are great websites out there that if you type in your LMP it will give you weekly updates and what to expect. Congrats and
Good luck.