Over 35 & Pregnant

I just had my first baby at 41. I had him in the 42nd week. I didn't want to rush so I wouldn't let them check me or induce me or anything like that. One problem, high blood pressure. Since I had it, they put me on bed rest one month before my due date. When you have high blood pressure,the nutrients stay in the placenta and don't go to the baby so the baby can be born underweight. My boy is perfectly fine. The placenta was calcified, which I guess means that a lot of nutrients were stuck in it, instead of going to the baby. You will be absolutely fine. The most important thing is to take it easy - if you can, with two boys! You are probably in great cardiovascular health, with the two boys, just make sure you get some me time. Listen to nice music for an hour a day - maybe some stretching and yoga - good luck! You will have another beautiful baby!

hi K.. my name is M.. i was 41 when i had my daughter, im 43 now. i was very scared when i found out i was pregnant. i had every kind of test you could have. and thank god, everything came back negative. i had ultrasounds and they were great. i also had a aminocyntesis. thats how i found out she was a girl. and i heard her heartbeat at 6 wks, i had a transvaginal ultrasound. so i understand about being scared. through out the pregancy, i was mostly by myself. however now, her dad and i are together.....

Hi K. ~
CONGRATS!!! I had my first child at 39 and I was scared to death that something would be wrong due to my "mature age", but the pregnancy was perfect in every way. My amniotic fluid dropped towards the end, but my DR was on top of that right away and when it got too low for the good of the baby, we induced. But, that can happen to the youngest of mothers. The only advice I would like to give is that your DR will run a AFP (Alpha Fetal Protein) test to check for Spina Bifida and Downs. The false positive rate for the Down Syndrome portion of this test is VERY high. .......DON'T be afraid if it comes back positive (not that it would change the way you feel about your baby). Mine did. They gave me a 1 in 82 chance of having a baby with Down. I didn't want to do the amnio because I didn't want to risk a miscarriage. Plus as I said, it wasn't going to change anything in terms of having the baby. Anyway, we did a high resolution ultrasound instead and looked for the "markers" of a Downs baby, my baby had none. I just wanted to share this with you because at the time, nobody told me about the high rate of positves and then afterwards, ALL my girlfriends told me they had the same thing!!! (and they are younger by the way) So get your rest, eat right, drink LOTS of water and ENJOY this one like you did your others. Everything will be just fine, i'm sure. By the way, my baby boy is 7 months TODAY and is healthy & happy. have a great weekend :-)

I got pregnant with my second child at the age of 36. I was helathly at the time of conception and, knock wood, all has been well so far. They may consider you AMA (Advanced Maternal Age), even though you are healthy. I am due in mid-June. The only difference in this pregnancy at this age are some extra tests that may be optional depending on your genetic history. I chose to take the tests to determine what my chances were of having a child with certain genetic issues. I also had a more extensive ultrasound around the 20th week. They measure the heartbeat and so many other organs and so forth. That ultrasound took about 40 - 45 minutes. Besides all that, all the doctor check-ups have been the same. I hope this helps. Best wishes on your new addition.

Hi K.,

I had my first child @ 40 and all is well. Just follow DR. advice, eat well, rest which you have already heard from everyone else. Just trust God for the outcome. More and more and more women are having babies later in life and DR.s monitor older moms more. Make sure your dr monitors you, have more ultra sounds, etc.

God bless you

I would not worry to much. They say that th worry can be more stressful than anything else. Unless you hav had complications with the other pregnancies, I would not worry. Just really pay attention to your body. A friend of mine had her first baby at the age of 37 and she had not on problem with the pregnancy. My mom also had my sister 17 years after me at the age of 39 and she had no problems either. So don't worry about anything until there is something to worry about.
Good luck.
S.

I was 35 this last time, and I remember feeling pressured into all the tests and made to feel paranoid about Down's and other genetic stuff. Just remember--35 is not a magic age where ALL OF A SUDDEN your ability to have healthy kids disappears! It's an arbitrary number. And keep in mind that the docs just have to offer you every possible thing now, and you are in no way obligated to get the tests. I only got the one 'preliminary' blood test and I wish I hadn't. There was ultimately no harm done, but I got blood drawn on a Tuesday, a call from a nurse on Thursday saying I had to talk to the doc! I was freaking out, but of course couldn't get in until Monday. Turns out there was some kind of 'slightly elevated' risk, meaning instead of 1 in 500, now there was a 1 in 400 chance that something might be abnormal. I CRIED for 5 days for that???!! btw, I have a healthy happy baby. And yes, once you establish a heartbeat, your odds are MUCH better against miscarriage.

I am currently 36 and pregnant with my third child, I have a 5 yr old (almost 6), and a 2 1/2 yr old and will have the baby in August. The only difference in my pregnancy so far is how tired I am, plus because you are over 35 the doctor recommends more tests they want you to take. So far not a big deal.

They now have a sonogram to check for Down Syndrom, t13 and t18, this test came back great. If you are worried talk to your ob, she/he in many cases can help you work through the worry.

congratulations, and good luck.

My boss had her first baby at 34 and all was great! Relax and enjoy the process! Be sure to eat healthy nutritious food and get the rest you need! Happy thoughts, too! My mom had a very healthy baby and no problesms in her 40's. Think positive!

Hi K.,

I am sure your doctor will reassure you that all will be fine.

I became pregnant for the first time when I was forty and delivered a wonderful beautiful little girl when I was 41. She is now 3 1/2, healthy, smart, independent, active and the light of my life.

I loved being pregnant. I had a great pregnancy with no complications. I was active and in shape when I became pregnant so I know this helped. I just listened to my doctor, did a lot of reading so I would know what my body was telling me. I remained active during my pregnancy but tailored my workouts so no harm to baby or myself.

The delivery was by c-section, but not an emergency. I planned on delivering naturally but when they induced w/Pitocin, the Pitocin dropped the baby's heart-rate so the c-section was in the best interest of her.

Again, all was great and I have a my blessing right here with me.

If you are worried and concerned, write them down and talk them over with your doctor. I did that and it helped.

Good luck and congratulations.

L.

Dear K.,
I've known 3 women who between them have had 4 children after they turned 35, and all children are completely fine. I think that for every week a baby in the womb develops, the smaller the chance of a miscarriage is. The chance is greatly reduced after week 6. Good luck, I hope you have a great pregnancy and birth!

Hi K.,

As a first time mother at 36 and second time at 38, I too was nervous. Everything was fine with me and my boys-they are both VERY healthy and there were no complications. The one thing I will add to the excellent advice to your question is when I got pregnant with my second, my OB/GYN said that she was MUCH less worried about the pregnancy because it wasn't my first. Apparently, once you have had a healthy child, the medicos have a better idea of what you might be at risk for and what you aren't. They do like to do more tests to make sure though!

I have been learning about fruits & veggies & how they can help w/ a healthy pregnancy (or any health issue for that matter). I have 2 sisters who are pregnant & take Juice Plus+ which is fruits & veggies that have been put into capsule form.... amazing idea! I listened to a dr. once who watched his patients who were taking Juice Plus+ compaired them to those who were not taking it & those taking Juice Plus+ had healthier pregnancies & babies all the way around. :) If you want to know more, let me know & I'll get you more info. :)

Hi K.!!!i just wanted to let you know that my birthmom was 37 when she got pregnant with me and 38 when she had me.everything was fine.The only reason i was given up for adoption was because i was an oops baby and she already had 6 kids and just couldnt afford another one.

dont let the fast that you're 37 worry you!!Heck thats young.now if you were 57 i might be concerned :)

K.,

Follow your OB/GYN's advice to the letter. Eat healthy. Do all the "healthy baby" things you did before. If you have a question, you call your OB/GYN, even BEFORE that first appointment.

You'll be fine.

I had my second daughter at 36. She was fine. I was fine. They monitor YOU maybe a little more. The OB/GYN will guide you all the way, and we and your friends will give you the moral support you need.

Congratulations! I'm excited for you!

(I am forty now...we're all getting up there, aren't we?)

~D.

I was 37 when I had my first. She's fit as a fiddle. My doctor nicknamed her Joss (like on Bananza aka big healthy baby). The best thing you can do for the baby is relax, not worry and be happy. the baby can feel your moods/energy. I was happy and mellow the whole pregnancy and ate what I wanted and she turned out to be mellow, happy, and a good eater!

Congrats K. on your pregnancy! I'm a Certified Nurse Midwife and let me reassure you that you are not alone in your concern nor your status (pregnancy after 35). Later childbearing is extremely common these days. Yes, your risk of abnormalities and complications are higher each year after 35, but they are higher each year after 25 as well. The risk of Down's Syndrome rises after 35 more rapidly, but statistics show that more babies with Down's are born to women under 35 because more of them are having babies. We have to put these things in perspective. There are many many women who deliver perfectly healthy babies after the age of 35. So, please relax and enjoy this great blessing from God--another child.
As for your question about rate of miscarriage after seeing or hearing the heartbeat, the answer is yes, there is less of a chance of miscarriage if the heartbeat is visible on an ultrasound at 7-8 weeks gestation. The highest risk of miscarriage is before 8 weeks and declines sharply after 12 weeks gestation. As you probably already know, there is nothing you can do to prevent miscarriage other than making sure you get enough folic acid (400mg/day or more) and avoiding alcohol, drugs and tobacco. As for what you need to do different this pregnancy, I'd just recommend you exercise (choose a routine and type that is compatible with what you do when you are not pregnant), focus on good nutrition, and make sure you have appropriate weight gain (20-30 lbs). I wish you the very best. I just delivered a healthy boy 3 weeks ago at age 34 and everything went beautifully. My pregnancy was smooth as silk and my labor and delivery were quick (5 hours) and easy.
R., SAHM of 3 yo and 3 wk old. Certified Nurse Midwife since 1999

The likelihood of something going wrong is very small. Chances of everything being good are overwhelmingly in your favor. You've had two great pregnancies which means your body knows how to have babies and has done it fairly recently. Thirty-five is just a number. Don't get your head too wrapped up in it.

Once the heartbeat is heard, the likelihood of miscarriage drops significantly.

Hi K., I'm not in my 30's but I just wanted to say GOOD LUCK MOMMA! I have friend who got pregnant with twins at 36, and she told me her Dr. wanted to push for an amnio because of her age, she didnt believe in that so she had to shop around for Dr.'s who didnt push for it. Thats the only thing I can suggest. =)

I was 38 when my son (he'll be 12 in July) was born. Believe it or not, I didn't go to the doctor until I was about 3 months pregnant. My first pregnancy (at 29 years old) was a breeze and I guess since I was feeling great the second time I had no worries. I did have amniocentesis per my doctor's request. I probably would have requested one anyway if he didn't. Other than that....all went well. I stayed healthy and so did my boy.

BTW: I am a 2x breast cancer survivor. My reoccurance was after my son was born (but not due to the pregnancy). I had many reasons not to get pregnant again but everything inside me told me it was going to be ok. So I had to deal with the cancer again but in return I have a wonderful son and my daughter has a sibling!

Good luck....you'll do fine.

Hi K.,
I was 38 when my 3rd child was born. he's 14 now and wonderful. My sister in law had her first and only baby at 42 and that child is wonderful also. Don't let your age bother you...just concentrate on enjoying this pregnancy, it's time better spent. Congratulations!!!

I was 36 when I got pregnant for the second time. As long as your are healthy and active, you should be fine. I did not have to do anything different. I can say that If you eat right and rest well and keep active in walking and such, you should be fine. It is not any different then being pregnant at a younger age. I think it is different for everyone though. I was healthy and had no problems. I am now 39 and looking to get pregnant 1 more time before I am 42 years old. I also have 2 very energetic boys. My oldest is 7 and my youngest is 2. I hope you have a healthy and happy pregnancy and baby at the end of this pregnancy.

K.,
I was 34 when I got pregnant and turned 35 when my daughter was 2 months. At my first appointment my OB does viability ultrasounds where he finds and sees the heartbeat. He told me at that appointment that the majority of women who miscarry before their 12 week, never had a fetus with a heartbeat. the fetus had already passed, but you don't know it yet. So, since I was able to see the heartbeat and it was in the normal range, my chances of miscarrying were less. Hope this helps. I work with woman who is 40 who had her first child and he was perfect. Try not to worry to much.
S. P

Hi, congrats on the pregnancy! I wouldn't worry, I know many people who had babies in their late 30's and had healthy pregnancies and babies :) I wouldn't do anything different unless your Dr tells you...just take it easy and eat right! Good luck and try not to stress!

I was 35 when I got pregnant with my 2nd child. I'm going to agree with the other posters to not stress. My dr. too suggested an amnio & I opted to not have that done. I had already had one "normal" pregnancy, which is a somewhat determining factor of what your pregnancy is going to be like; the 4D ultrasounds can determine many abnormalities; & with the (be it small) risk of the amnio, I just felt like I didn't need one. The likelyhood of miscarriage is 20% until 12 wks (right after hearing the heartbeat (9 wks-I think is the earliest you can hear it), then it goes down CONSIDERABLY. I've also had many friends that have had pregnancies over 35 without complications. I wouldn't worry - especially since you've had good pregnancies (and fairly recently too). Just read a study that chocolate guards against preaclampsia - so eat plenty of chocolate ;) & CONGRATS!

Unfortunately, you can still miscarry after seeing the heartbeat. I've miscarried 5 times, and at least 2 (3? can't recall for sure now) were after seeing a heartbeat. But the good news is, once you get past the first trimester, the miscarriage risk goes down dramatically. All mine were first trimester.

On a more positive note, I've had all my children at AMA -- totally normal pregnancies and healthy daughters born when I was 36, 38 and 40, and at 43 am expecting another this July.

I'm sure AMA is to blame for my having had so many miscarriages, but it certainly didn't affect the pregnancies I did carry to term, and all my children (so far; we'll see about the one in July) have been perfectly healthy and normal.

I had a child last year at age 39. The doctor recommended testing for down syndrome since the percentage risk increases as you get older. 39 years old said it would be a 70% chance so I took his advise and had an amneioscitisis (not spelling it right)and all was well.

Hi K.,

There are risks with almost every pregnancy, I was on the other end of the spectrum years ago. I was a young mother and they were very concerned due to my age and size. My beautiful daughter was born with no complications in seven hours and I might add scored a perfect 10 on her apgars. The doctor said she was the heathiest baby she had ever delivered. That was due mostly in part to me taking very good care of myself during pregnancy. I took all my vitamins, got plenty of rest, some good exercise, and lots of healthy food. My daughter is now getting ready to turn 21. The risk of miscarraige does go down with each week that passes. However, stressing about these things can cause problems, so try not to stress. Do your very best and let the lord take care of the rest. Good luck and God bless you and your baby.

D.

Congratulations K.! ...and welcome to the club! I'm a 36 1/2 year old SAHM to 3 boys -- my oldest will be 10 in August, my 2nd will be 8 on Sunday and my "baby" turned 4 in January. I am now just over 16 weeks pregnant and couldn't be happier! Take everyone's advice and don't stress about your age!! There's nothing better we can do than send positive, loving thoughts toward the babies we are carrying right now! Just use your common sense -- eat right, exercise, and STAY POSITIVE! I don't plan on having any major tests run for genetic things because it wouldn't make a difference to me if there was a problem. I don't mind the blood tests, the ultrasounds, etc...the non invasive things, but that's it. Be happy and praise God for allowing you another chance to bring a child into this world! Take care of yourself and that little one and GOOD LUCK!!

Blessings,
A.

Hi K., Congratulations on #3! My first successful pregnancy was at age 41(a bright and beautiful 4yr-old now), so I personally feel the "over 35" pregnancy stigma is, well, exaggerated. Yes, the odds for Down's Syndrome does go up slightly, but I think one's genetic makeup and health determine much more than age alone. The fact that you've already had two "normal" pregnancies is definitely in your favor. As for doing anything differently: from everything I hear, each pregnancy is unique, so I say see how the early months go, and trust your intuition. Heck, I was on Spin bike until I was in my 7th month! Good luck!

Hi K.,
I was 35 when I got pregnant and 36 when my son was born. Everything went fine for me until the end of my pregnancy - my fluid level dropped and they had to induce - BUT, the good news is that because I was over 35, I was being tested weekly for this exact issue, so it was taken care of ASAP (went to the doctor that afternoon and was in the hospital that evening at 6) and he was born full term (37 weeks and 2 days) and we're both just fine. I loved that I got to have "extra" tests and checkups just because I was an "advanced maternal age" patient - it actually eased my mind. Best of luck to you for a healthy pregnancy!
L.

My mother had my sister years ago and she was over 35 with no difficulty. I think things will be fine just make sure you see the dr and do what you need to do.

I agree that once you hear a heart beat you are more likely to not have a miscarriage....

I have had 7 pregnancies - 4 of which ended in miscarriage and I knew that as soon as I heard the heartbeat I would be blessed with a little angel... That never failed me even when the drs laughed at me when I would walk in and say "let's hear that heartbeat so I know my baby will live."

I was pregnanent at 34 yo and had the baby after I turned 35. My children are 9 years apart.. wow huh? I had a few issues, nothing major. Let me know if you want to talk.

K.

Hi K.,
Welcome to the "ol phogey's club." (har -har :))

I had both my boys after 35. I'm that grey-haired, old lady you see trying to chase a 3 yo down, while juggling a baby and a cane (hee hee).

Seriously, in general, age is just one more thing to worry about while you're pregnant; and it's definitely one thing you can't change. Yep, it's always good to hear the heartbeat. You should get the first ultrasound around 12 weeks (I went to a specialist - perinatologist), and they do a simple blood test + ultra-measurements which can detect some common birth defects (I was amazed and overjoyed to hear about this test with my first one: it erased a lot of stress SO early on).

If your first two pregnancies were pretty uneventful, that's another "check" in your favor.

Hey, congratulations (and lots of laughs!)
T

Hi K.. I was 39 when my only child was born and he is now a happy healthy 31/2 yr old. I had no problems with the pregnancy, he just came a week late. I do not plan to have any more, however. Congratul
ations, and don't worry. Done and happy.

I work with a woman who had a surprise pregnancy at 47. She didn't even consider a pregnancy until she was 4 months and starting to show. She just thought she was going into early menopause! She had a very healthy baby boy and he is now a happy, active 3 yr old. She never had any complications during her pregnancy. I think that as long as you follow your doctor's testing guidelines and take care of yourself you'll be in good shape. Plus you had 2 previous pregnancies without any major issues, so I would just try not to stress too much. I would just make sure your OB is aware of your concerns so he/she can address them and calm your worries. Best of luck for a happy, healthy pregnancy! :)

K.,
I am 38 yrs old and have a 7 month old daughter!! The only thing for me was swelling and really really tired! I was uncomfortable ( this was and is the only baby I am having ) but I think alot of pregnant women are like that. I had to slow down in the last 2 months of my pregnancy. I was blessed not to get gestational diabetes! Just take it slow and since you have 2 other at home be like me ( I have a step grandson who is 4 ) tell them that you have a new baby in your tummy and we have to be really careful not to hurt mommy's tummy. They will then ask alot of questions. Share this with them and they will be so excited and want to touch your tummy to feel the baby move when you are further along. My daughter is so enthralled with her nephew, he used to sing to her when she was still in my belly!! CONGRATULATIONS you will be fine and do great!!!!!!!!!!