Looking for Advice - Temple, NH

I had my daughter at 18 and THEY said there were a lot of risks for me also...... do you know why??? Because I was in the category of "teenagers" who don't really take care of them selves and all that junk. I ended up giving birth to a beautiful healthy little girl who is super smart now !!!! Anyways I think you should be just fine I believe they basically stereotype pregnancies due to age and other things like that.

you are pregnant just be HAPPY !!!!

Caitlin

Hi C.,

I'll just chime in too as one of the "older" moms out there who's had no problems. I had my first child at 37 and I'm now 39 and 8 months pregnant with #2. Everything's been fine (I guess I'm in the overweight category too...I'm tall, but still topping out pregnancies at over 235.) The other ladies have already given great advice about keeping healthy habits and a positive attitude, so I'll just say "ditto." :)

Best of luck and enjoy!

Congratulations! Why are you scared to have a child at 37 (you were 36 when you conceived) when you had one at 34? It is all just about the same thing. I had mine when I had just turned 35 and was a week away from 37 when #2 was born. Both pregnancies were categorized as "at risk" b/c of my age but both were uncomplicated short births and both were healthy babies. The only thing we "older" moms need to consider is that we are at more risk for having babies with chromosomal (genetic) defects. Fortunately many of these defects are simply not viable and will result in miscarriages but other are viable and it is up to you and your partner to figure out if you want to test for these and what you might do with the result. My advice is NOT to be scared or confused. Be happy! Celebrate this new life. Arm yourself with information- Figure out the risks (look at charts plotting age and abnormalities) make a plan to figure out if you want to find out if your baby is at risk (the two confirming procedures to do this are CVS or an amnio- both involve getting some cells from the fetus to check to see if the chromosomes are normal, both of these procedures also carry risk of abortion). Although your risk at 37 for having a baby with chromosomal defects is larger than if you were 27, your chances of having a normal baby are still HUGELY in your favor. GOOD LUCK and enjoy!

Congratulations on your pregnancy! As I see it you can walk two different paths. You can let the conventional medical system scare you and take test after test. You need to decide befor having each test what your action you will take as a result of the information given to you. Or you can find a doctor who believes in woman, nature, and or God. 37 is not too old. 57 is too old. You have such a high chance of a normal pregnancy and child, believe that you will. Midwives are also excellent. This can also be an amazing pregnancy.

Hi C.. I had TWINS at 38 and they were both healthy and good birth weights. You've gotten great advice here. Watch what you eat and take your prenatal vitamins. I had a prescription with fish oil. They didn't tell me about it I had to ask. Get lots of rest because once your baby is here you won't be able to. :) Hang in there and just do what the doctor's tell you. My first doctor's appointment I was told that the next time I came in I'd have a "Red folder" since I was high risk pregnancy. Don't you love how they freak you out without meaning to? Hang in there and you'll soon have a beautiful new baby!

Hi C.,

Don't worry about your age. I had my first child at 39yrs. old and my second child at 42 yrs. old. I had great pregnancies with no problems. The doctors do want to do a lot of tests on you when you are an older mom, but remember, you can pick the tests you want and don't want. I did not get all the tests done. My kids are healthy and normal (as normal as you can get :) )
Enjoy your pregnancy and your growing family!!

Don't be scared, be overjoyed! It's up to you to maintain a good diet and take care of yourself & the rest is really up to God. I got pregnant with my first at 36 and was significantly overweight. It was unnerving to be classified as a high risk pregnancy because of weight or advanced maternal age, but I never developed gestational diabetes and I only gained the recommended amount of weight for pregnancy. I met with a nutritionist and a dr. re genetics and figured whatever will be will be. I wasn't going to terminate it and I figured a good deal of it was beyond my control with the exception of my eating well, exercising and taking vitamins, like I was supposed to. I had the lesser of the invasive tests (i.e., no amnio - I had the triple screen I think and the 18 week ultrasound), got good prenatal care from local midwives (they were significantly more relaxed than the obgyns) and tried not to stress too much, which I think is also bad for a baby. Relax & enjoy your pregnancy! Congratulations!

P.S. I also had a completely uneventful pregnancy and a baby that was 100% normal (or above normal) in every regard.

Congratulations! I am 38 and had a daughter at age 36 without any complications,despite being of "advanced maternal age".When I had my son at age 31 I had pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) and was considered high risk for a repeat of PIH, esp. w/ my age.I say eat healthy,try to get a bit of exercise each day(- weather is warming up for walks)and talk w/your doctor about what you can do to have a healthy pregnancy.These days I think more moms are of "advanced maternal age"- a hideous label!I think exercise really helps- I worked out daily w/ my 2nd pregnancy (doctor approved).Think happy thought and best wishes.

i would make sure you ob specailist in high risk ... do you have other health problems .... did you have a difficult first pregancy i had my 4th child at 40 and and she and i are fine follow what your md says and you may not need to gain very much weight if you are overwgt but follow a healthy diet and walk keep active and try not to worry age alone is nothing to worry about many more peolpe are having children later in their relationships. enjoy mother of 14 11 8 and 22 mths K. d

C.,

Congratulations on the pregnancy. Like the other moms have said, it is very possible to have a healthy baby and pregnancy at your age. If your doctor makes you feel too worried about it, you might want to find someone you feel more comfortable with. My Obgyn was great and I felt comfortable talking to her about any of my concerns. I'm sure your dr. will monitor you for high blood pressure/gestational diabetes etc. which means these things can be taken care of. Just do you best to be as healthy as you can be and try not to stress too much! Enjoy your pregnancy!

K.

hi C.!
congratulations! please dont over stress !! Yes, there are higher risks but there's no reason why Baby wont be just fine!
I too, had my first son at 38 & he's perfect, i could not ask for more! My advice, keep a good diet, take your vitamins, go to all your appointments & smile & Good Luck!
there are many Mom's at 40! enjoy!

I had my first child when I was 35, my second at 37. Two normal pregnancies and healthy 8 lb. babies. Yes, there are increased risks (at 35 my files were labeled "AMA" for "Advanced Maternal Age" -- HA!) but your doctor should be able to talk you through them. But barring other health issues, if you had a healthy baby in your 30's, I would not panic about having one now! If your weight is high, you will definitely have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes, especially at your age, but there are ways to control it with diet and medication. Talk openly to your doc. Their job is to ensure the health of you and your baby and should be able to give you the tools to make this a healthy journey for you both!

HI C.!
My name is H., I am also a sahm of a 2 1/2.
Im not gonna try to give you advice, or tell you anything you dont already know.
Woman are having babies when they are older these days, and they do just fine. Im sure you will do just fine as well. As for your weight, if your careful, you'll be fine too. I have a friend who has weight problems, and if anything it makes you take better care of yourself. You already know how to love a child, and know there is no grater love in the world, as the love of a child..so Like I said, You will probably take better care of yourself for the sake of your child. I wouldnt worry about anything. Good luck with everything, and CONGRATS on the baby!!

You should listen to your doctor on certain things like if your blood pressure is high go to a low salt diet, try and do everything healthy for yourself and your baby that you can. I did get preggo at 39 with my one and only and he was premature, they knew it could happen due to age and blood presure issues so i was watched and helped along.

Do not dismiss things doctors say, just take it with a grain of salt and look into it yourself. My son was a 90% chance of having downs, my doctor did not want to do an annino due to that risk, so we went for a high end ultra sound and he then was listed as a 10% chance of downs and he did not have it.

Since you have already had a baby with no health risks to you or the baby your chances are good. But take precautions eat well, maybe take up yoga to get your body in better shape so you are stronger and eat the best you can.

Good Luck, your daughter with have someone to fight with besides you now! lol

Hi
I can put you in touch with other moms who have taken Reliv nutrition before during and after pregnancy. It is safe effective and it is just food.
While I realize it is scary to start something new during pregnancy-I think the others stories would help.
I would be happy to share the ingredients with you to present to your Dr. for approval.
J. h

Breathe . Relax. Take care of yourself. I had my first at 33 and my 2nd at 37. For me I thought it was totally normal because most of my friends and family have had kids in their 30 -40's so I know ALOT of people who have had normal healthy pregnancies at this age. You will find there is more testing and advice once you are over 35 but I hope it doesn't scare you. Congrats!

Relax and don't worry so much. I am sure everything is going to be fine. I had children when I was 39 and 40 yr old. They are fine, they are 16 and 17 now. You have a child already, that is good. Don't listen to any negative stuff about having children when you're older. Your body knows what to do. Eat right and exercise, the best prevention. Take care and good luck.

C.,

I don't have any advice for you but I wanted to write to say congratulations!!!! I'm so happy Addie will have a play mate. We have to get our Addie's together soon!!
Love,
L. and Addison

Age is relative.... You are a spring chicken to me! Two of my children were born when I was 40+! Take excellent care of yourself. Listen to your doctors about how to manage your weight/blood pressure, etc... If we truly listen to our bodies, we know when something is wrong. I would align myself with a good obgyn who is used to birthing older women. I was the "Spring Chicken" in my obgyn's office! Your issues (sorry to say) may not have as much to do with your age as your general condition when you became pregnant..... Don't hate me for saying this. It is now your job to be an excellent mother to your unborn baby and REST, EAT CORRECTLY, Take YOUR PRENATALS and EXCERCISE (only if your obgyn approves). Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't let something like age stress you out. Until you've heard the worst - expect the best!

I don't know who "they" are, but I can guarantee that there are plenty of other moms on this board who have given birth at 37 or older. (I plan to have my next one at 37!) My mom was 39 when she had me, and apparently the doctors gave her a terrible time about going for it when she was so "old"! For the sake of statistics, they simply lump everyone together at the age of 35 or older as being in an age group to monitor more closely, that's all! It is a gradual increase in risk, there is no sudden increase in problems when turning 35! The weight is another issue, but whether you are concerned because you are over or underweight, you should get some detailed advice from your doctor (better a referral to a nutritionist) about how to eat as healthy as possible, and how to avoid such complications as gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia. All the best in the wonderful new addition to your family!

C.,

We recently found out we were pregnant as well. I am 36 and pretty overweight. First I would suggest you talk to your doctor about your concerns. The Doc should be able to answer most if not all of your questions. Second, I am here for ya. What I have done is started a gestational diabetes diet. Although I am not a diabetic yet, I forsee it happening. Plus, it's healthy. Second, I am trying to do some sort of exercise every day. Alot of the time it is taking the stairs instead of the elevator at my appartment complex. But you have to start somewhere.

Take it day by day. There are tons of us out there who are in your same situation. Find a support group on line. And... like I said before, I will be there for ya.

Good luck!

E.