Introduction

Caroline7703

Hello! I just got my BFP yesterday! I'm 36, DH is 33, and this is our first pregnancy. I'm also overweight, so I'm a higher risk pregnancy. I need to call my doctor tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to expect! I actually don't know what to expect from anything (when will I show? why am I not getting morning sickness?) so I'm planning on stocking up on some books. What do I need to know, specifically about being over 35 and pregnant? Thank you in advance for the help!

Sporty1216

Welcome and congratulations!

I got pregnant with my first at 38 and am now pregnant with #2 at 41. Books are great--I also read a lot of things online. There are a ton of great resources out there. I really enjoy reading about what is happening developmentally.

As far as things to know about being pregnant after 35, that is my only experience, so I have nothing to compare it to. You'll likely be offered extra testing if you want it. Otherwise, my experience is that I was treated just like any other pregnant woman. That was something I really appreciated about my OB. she never once referred to me as "AMA".

Anyway. I'm sure you'll find out more when you call your doc tomorrow. Mine doesn't see me until 8 weeks, but that seems to vary based on personal circumstances and doctor's preferences.

Congratulations again!

bgf1

Welcome, and Congratulations. This is my second AMA pregnancy, the only differences so far are seeing it written in every form, and being offered Integrated Prenatal Screening. With my pregnancies MS has started on week 5-6, but many of my friends have had pregnancies without MS. In terms of books I know lots of ladies love them but I am generally not a fan of any if the What to Expect series.. Perhaps a trip to the bookstore or library to browse and find one whose layout suits you is in order, the info is probably all similar just writing style and how it's presented seem to vary.

Edited for autocorrect errors

redheadbride15

Congratulations and welcome. Feel free to be part of our weekly check-in and we can help answer questions that come up as you face them. The other ladies have given you some info on what being over 35 adds to the mix, and your OB will also talk to you about it. As for morning sickness - I sense from most people that it starts between 5-7 weeks, but also note about 20% of women don't get it (I was one of those), so if you don't feel nauseous then it's okay! It will probably be a while before you show but every woman is different. I know some who started showing at 8 weeks and others who didn't show until third trimester. If you're heavier you may not show until the later side, but it's hard to tell! I'm 18 weeks and just barely starting to show (only me and my DH notice!)

lickastick

Welcome!

lillebowski23

Welcome to the board! For me, MS started around week 6 and didn't let up until about week 12. By then most of my first tri symptoms were gone... I'm nearly 15 weeks now and I feel so much better!
I am a little overweight myself (despite MS, I managed to put on 18#) but my doctor said my BP was good and as long as I am staying somewhat active I baby and I will be okay. Your doctor will work with you to make sure you have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
As for books, I echo the PPs in that I am not a fan of most pregnancy books particularly the "what to expect..." series (i found them to be demeaning and patronizing). For me, I read "Understanding Your Moods When You Are Expecting" not part of that series and very good for someone who may struggle with anxiety, other mental health issues, or someone who just needs to feel better about those hormonal mood swings. I also read the pregnancy book by the Boston Women' collective (they wrote Our Bodies, Ourselves in the 70s) which I really liked for its approach.
Anyway, congrats and welcome again!

tiffanyhr

Welcome! I liked reading "a girlfriend's guide to pregnancy" - humor mixed in with plain truth! And it reads like one of your friends is telling you the play by play of what happens. I've heard pregnancy for dummies is less clinical sounding that what to expect.

As for when you'll show, it's different for everyone. I'm a bit bigger myself and was sure I wasn't showing for 4 months but people said they could tell. All in who knows you best I think!

carrieandr

They say ms hits around 6 weeks, though experiences vary. Nausea was my first symptom at 3w3d. I blame the fact that my hcg was already over 20,000 by 5 weeks. MS hit full capacity at 6 weeks. I've mostly been reading online stuff. Every week I google "x weeks pregnant" and see what's going on in there. Then I give DH unwanted info like, "our baby is growing an anus this week!"

bgf1

@CarrieandRoy any good sites to recommend.... I leant out my week by week book and never got it back, am online refresher would be good

carrieandr

I just go to the top 5 or so that show up when I google how many weeks I am.

gemini2005

Welcome & congrats on your pregnancy!!  I'm 36 and this is my third pregnancy.  The only differences this time is that I got the NIPT (we did the Harmony test) and I will have NST's done every week after 35 weeks.  
I barely had any MS with my first pregnancy but had it worse with these last two pregnancies.  I hope you escape it- it's rough!!