intro and questions (long sorry)

htaylor1021

Hi my name is Heather. I am 39 years old and just found out I am pregnant with my second child. My DD is 18 we always wanted more kids and stopped birth control probably 15years ago. so to say this was a suprise is a bit of an understatement. I thought I would never get pregnant again. I just started the RN program at a school near me (i am an LPN now) and my husband and I were discussing doing travel nursing. My daughter is starting college in the fall. I was finally getting to a point of acceptance that DD would be my one and only. When I told my mom we were expecting and how shocked and happy we were my mom said "You want to make God laugh? Just tell him your plans" LOL. I am so incredibly happy and so very nervous at the same time (every time I go pee I am still loking for blood.)

On a side note I have been talking to my husband and I don't think I want to do anything like CVS or amnio. I will do the U/S's. I was a pedi nurse for a number of years and in that time took care of 2 special needs children. I know how incredibly hard it is but regardless I would not choose to terminate my pregnancy. So I am not sure it make any sense to get the testing done and spend so much time worrying. Has anbody else chosen to do this? Any thoughts or opinions? Good or bad I want to make sure this is an educated choice on my part. (just don't be mean/nasty) I haven't had my first appointment yet. My OB/GYN doesn't see you until you are 8wks. I have not discussed any of this with him so my opinion my change after discussing it with the dr. I am just wondering if other people go this route

kat1221

Congrats and welcome!

I will be 38 when this LO arrives and I have a 4 year old son.

I just had the NT scan on Friday and will get the results next week.  Based on this I guess we can decide if we want to do further testing.  It is important for us to know, whether or not we would terminate b/c we want to be prepared if something is not normal.  That's just us though.  There are lots of ladies on here that don't do any of the testing.  There is a thread from yesterday or the day before that has some different opinions on the testing thing.  It's def a personal choice.

I hope you have a very happy and healthy 9 months! 

mama2many

I'm 41 having #6. I never did any testing except a/s with all of them until this one. I had an NT scan this time & since everything looked perfectly fine, I decided not to proceed with further blood work. The MFM doc said he felt comfortable with my decision, so, there ya go.

Congratulations!

I did not get siblings until I was out of the house & married. Then, my mom adopted 2 more who were 3 & 5. My brother has special needs, and is 23 now, my little sister is 21 - 18 & 20 years younger than I am!

Your daughter will hold a very special place in her heart for this baby - if you foster their relationship, they will be able to be close. My sister and I have a sibling relationship now that she is an adult and a mom in her own right (while they were growing up, they were a little like a niece/nephew). It's funny because when my sister brought my niece to meet us at 6wks old, it was the first time it occurred to either of us that our age differences are actually that of mom, daughter, grandbaby!

hjk

Congrats!  How exciting to be expecting!  I'm 38 and this will be my second DC.  My first will be 4 next month.  I think you seem to have given this reasonable thought and are open to information from your doctor.  We did the early risk assessment/ nuchal translucency test at 12 weeks and based on the information we got it was very clear that the risk of amnio or invasive testing was not worth the benefit of additional information, so it's possible you could do some early, non invasive testing that would give you enough statistical ease.  But of course the best decision is always the one that's the most comfortable to you and your DH.  

Good luck and healthy pregnancy wishes to you! 

kristin7701

Congrats! The testing question is a tough one because everyone has different feelings. For me, I'd never terminate but I felt like having the early testing would give me peace of mind. I had the NT scan and related bloodwork and was lucky in that my risks came back great for my age. Since I am 41, the initial age-based risks are pretty scary. I also did the test when I was 38 but not when I was 34. I don't thin the test was available back then and since my age-based risks were low, I decided that I didn't want to worry myself. Some people feel that knowledge is power; others are concerned about unnecessarily worrying themselves over something they can't control. When it comes down to it, you just have to decide which one you are. Good luck! I know it's not easy.

3rdat40

Hi and welcome! I am expecting my third, and it's also been a surprise. My other two kids are 6 and 9. I chose not to have a CVS or amnio, but am going to get a 20-week u/s, the same as what I did with my first two children. It's really a personal choice, and I honestly don't think one way or the other is right or wrong. My decision to avoid these tests was along the same lines as what you said - I would have the baby regardless of anything being wrong, and would rather not spend my pregnancy worrying about it.

I agree with the statement that if you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans! That's so true! I have always done exactly what I wanted when I wanted, up until now. I was DONE after the second child.... or so I thought! LOL!