alileecam, I wish I'd taken the Kegels more seriously for my 39yo pg. Less muscle tone at that mature age and I even though I was fitter than most, there is only so much a mature body can do. Thankfully physical therapy has helped!!! (as I prepared for another pg)
Unexplained IF/RPL
TTC#1 2003 BFNs, 2004-2009 5 angels above
2010 IVF-PGS-FET#1, DD b. Aug-2011
TTC#2 2012 BFNs, 2013 FET#2, DS b. Nov-2013
TTC#3 2015 BFNs, FET#3 (my 6th and last angel above)
alileecam, I wish I'd taken the Kegels more seriously for my 39yo pg. Less muscle tone at that mature age and I even though I was fitter than most, there is only so much a mature body can do. Thankfully physical therapy has helped!!! (as I prepared for another pg)
I hear you! Though I'm no Wonder Woman, and 10 years older, I'm definitely in better shape (physically and mentally) than I was with my pervious pregnancies. I hope that counteracts the age! I also hope that MS & fatigue doesn't totally stop me from keeping fit - yoga, biking & walking... Since I work out of the house, I pretty much have to get in all my workouts on the weekends or at 6 am on weekdays - great, when you're not totally wiped out!
alileecam, I wish I'd taken the Kegels more seriously for my 39yo pg. Less muscle tone at that mature age and I even though I was fitter than most, there is only so much a mature body can do. Thankfully physical therapy has helped!!! (as I prepared for another pg)
Oh yes. If anyone asked me for advice on pregnancy this is the first thing I'd talk about - KEGELS. Do them. Do them often.
Oh how I miss the simplicity that was sneezing and jumping on a trampoline.
Hey! I am 35, will be 36 when Baby is born. I have a question for you all. I had my first appointment yesterday, and the nurse talked to me about testing for down syndrome since I am 35. What do you guys think?
We have that option at any age (I'm in Canada). It's a pre-natal screening program that tests for, among other things, increased likelihood of down syndrome. I always get it - and not gonna lie - mostly because it's the only way I get an ultrasound before 20 weeks.
So, yep, I'll be getting it again. Some people struggle with the idea, which is understandable - it can force you to think about possibilities and what to do if/ how to deal with different situations - but I always prefer to know vs not knowing.
Do you have any idea if you'd want the test or not?
@amangels2 It's standard of care to offer moms over 35 the more advanced screening for Downs syndrome and other chromosomal disorders (though all women will be screened with the basic nuchal translucency ultrasound test). The newest testing allows you to know this earlier than previously - as early as 10-12 weeks. The choice about whether or not to do the testing is very individual - you have to ask yourself 1) what would you do with the information if you had it? and 2) which is more stressful for you - knowing vs. not knowing?
I work in the field of genetics and I always assumed I would do the test, but now that it's MY pregnancy I find that I'm second-guessing myself. I'll still probably get the test because I like to be prepared, but I have difficulty being objective when I'm so emotionally wrapped-up in things. There's no right or wrong answer.
Me: 40 DH: 43 Married 5/30/15 TTC #1 June 2015 BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16! TTC #2 May 2017 BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Hey! I am 35, will be 36 when Baby is born. I have a question for you all. I had my first appointment yesterday, and the nurse talked to me about testing for down syndrome since I am 35. What do you guys think?
Welcome! Personally, I've never done any of the genetic testing. We wouldn't terminate, so the only reason for us to do the test would be to know early and DS can be detected at our 20 week ultrasound so we would still have plenty of time to prepare. It really just depends on your comfort level, what you would do with the information, etc.
Me 41 DH 33 Married 09/03/2011 DD1 EDD 08/18/01, born 08/03/2001 ~ 9lbs 10oz, 21.5 in
DS1 EDD 4/30/2004, born 05/04/2004 ~ 10lbs, 22 in mc 02/14/12 @ 5 weeks
DD2 EDD 12/25/12, born 12/30/12 ~ 10lbs 11oz, 21.25 in mc 12/05/15 @ 12 weeks Cautiously expecting 12/02/16
I love that there are so many of us "older mamas" in this group. I was worried I would be alone!
Me 41 DH 33 Married 09/03/2011 DD1 EDD 08/18/01, born 08/03/2001 ~ 9lbs 10oz, 21.5 in
DS1 EDD 4/30/2004, born 05/04/2004 ~ 10lbs, 22 in mc 02/14/12 @ 5 weeks
DD2 EDD 12/25/12, born 12/30/12 ~ 10lbs 11oz, 21.25 in mc 12/05/15 @ 12 weeks Cautiously expecting 12/02/16
@redheadbride15 - what's involved in the more advanced testing? Is it just a more indepth screening of results?
You can think of screening for Down syndrome coming in two flavors:
The first (and older) tests are all non-specific and are based on soft findings seen on ultrasound like increased nuchal thickness (the back of the neck) and some markers that are in mom's blood. These tests are useful because they can tell you if your baby is at a higher or lower risk for Downs syndrome but they can never predict with 100% accuracy one way or the other. These tests are done routinely for all pregnancies in most OB offices.
The second set of tests are very specific genetic tests and are much more accurate. These are the tests that are often offered to moms over 35 or have other risk factors (like a previous pregnancy with a chromosome abnormality) or if there were concerning results on the first (less accurate) screening test. Classically these were invasive tests - amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, which collects a small sample from the fluid around the fetus or the placenta. However, in the past few years a new kind of non-invasive tests has become available called cell free fetal DNA testing (MaterniT21, Harmony, Verifi), which is done on a sample of mom's blood. All of these tests will diagnose Downs syndrome as well as other chromosomal disorders (namely trisomy 13 and trisomy 18), and many of them can also reveal the gender if you want to know it.
Me: 40 DH: 43 Married 5/30/15 TTC #1 June 2015 BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16! TTC #2 May 2017 BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
@redheadbride15 - oh ok! I now remember seeing a thread about some of those names - I just hadn't opened it. Thanks for the info! I am clearly not educated enough on this issue!
@CourtJack It's hard to keep up with all this stuff! You should hopefully get the low-down again from your OB or a genetic counselor if you're offered the testing. Feel free to buzz me with any questions though
Me: 40 DH: 43 Married 5/30/15 TTC #1 June 2015 BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16! TTC #2 May 2017 BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
I had the blood test at my 20 week scan, I had debated as well, but when offered on the spot, I said yes, I like to prepare myself even though we wouldn't do anything. You're a wealth of information @redheadbride15! They actually don't offer the NT test where I am. Well I delivered my son in NC and they'd pretty much never heard of the NT, we've since moved to TN (military) so I'll ask on Friday if it's available. On a different note I heard you can now find out the sex earlier, 10-12, weeks....pumped!! I'm not good at waiting
I had the blood test at my 20 week scan, I had debated as well, but when offered on the spot, I said yes, I like to prepare myself even though we wouldn't do anything. You're a wealth of information @redheadbride15! They actually don't offer the NT test where I am. Well I delivered my son in NC and they'd pretty much never heard of the NT, we've since moved to TN (military) so I'll ask on Friday if it's available. On a different note I heard you can now find out the sex earlier, 10-12, weeks....pumped!! I'm not good at waiting
Yeah that's a little side perk of the cell free fetal DNA testing
Me: 40 DH: 43 Married 5/30/15 TTC #1 June 2015 BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16! TTC #2 May 2017 BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Hi everyone. I'm 35 (will be 36 by EDD) and my husband is going to be 37 in a few days. First time parents. Thought we'd have a honeymoon baby 2.5 years ago but we were not so lucky. Finally pregnant through IVF.
I had the cell free fetal DNA testing done the first time and I'm looking forward to having it done again. It's performed by a MFM specialists, so I got to have a HD U/S. Plus, I learned the sex at 12.5 weeks.
I'm 37 and currently 7 weeks, I will be turning 38 right around 13 weeks. It's feasible that i have miscarried early and never knew but this is my first pregnancy. I have PCOS and a productive pituitary adenoma that I've been treating for 3+ years. I'm terrified of losing this little bun, but trying to stay very optimistic. Dr's have not done any blood tests yet but at my 2nd OBGYN appt last week on the 12th I heard a heartbeat! 155 bpm (was 6 weeks 3 days at that point - is that high? the internet seems confused) It was so wonderful but I know we're still not in the clear. My paper work referred to me as elderly....is that really necessary? Howzabout "advanced"
I have had NO morning sickness which of course scares me, my boobs are pretty swollen, I pee a lot, and I had been farting quite a bit but that's died down now. I'm pretty sure I'd be less stressed out if I was farting and puking all the time!
Hi all! I'll be 35 around 12 weeks. We have a daughter (born in 2008) and a son (born in 2009), then thought we were done. Got pregnant last October and had a very dangerous MC. We were REALLY done after that, but God works in funny ways and I was SHOCKED to find out I was pregnant this time. I'm 7.5 weeks now, due June 1. I'm still kind of in shock, but the insanely sore boobs, MS, and massive bloating are starting to convince me
I'll be have just turned 43 when this baby makes an appearance. I had started to think I couldn't get pregnant because I took my iud out a year ago and hadn't. Also I only have 1 Fallopian tube because of a previous ectopic that ruptured. I am 7w3d today and very excited but also very nervous knowing everything that can go wrong.
Hi I am 37, I have a 17yr old and a 4yr old. Not worried about anything, just taking extra folic acid and 3x the amount of DHA. This is certainly much different than being pregnant at 19! No Energy At All.
Hi there. I also can sit at the "old lady" table . I'm 37 and expecting number 2. DH is 39. We had our DS when I was 35, and he came 3.5 weeks early. Hoping this one cooks a little while longer as breastfeeding was really challenging for the first few months due to his immature latch. I really don't want to go through that again!
I haven't been doing anything different...but all these posts about extra vitamins and what not are making me nervous. I've been taking a prenatal for 3 years now though, if I get any credit for that. Will have to do research...
Hi! I just found joined this board yesterday after getting a BFP! I was so glad to so many of us "older moms". There has got to be a better name for that! I had my first son when I was 39 and was pretty depressed when my OB referred to me as "advanced maternal age" , yeah, that's ugly!! I'm 40 now and will be 41 when this one is born. With my son, we did the genetic testing Maternit21. It was nice to have all that genetic information by week 12 and finding out the sex was an extra bonus!
Hi!!! I'm Angela! I'll be 37 on November 10 which is also the day of my first ultrasound!!!!!! So exciting!!! I'm 4 weeks today. I have 4 boys, a 20 yr old, a 16 yr old, a 14 yr old and a stepson who is 10. I am very excited about this new chapter!!!! My DH and I were married in July, had a tubal reversal done in August and found out last week that we r expecting!!!!!!!! So glad there are other moms out there that are my age. Feel like there's a stigma with it. So happy to meet you all!!!!
We have that option at any age (I'm in Canada). It's a pre-natal screening program that tests for, among other things, increased likelihood of down syndrome. I always get it - and not gonna lie - mostly because it's the only way I get an ultrasound before 20 weeks.
So, yep, I'll be getting it again. Some people struggle with the idea, which is understandable - it can force you to think about possibilities and what to do if/ how to deal with different situations - but I always prefer to know vs not knowing.
Do you have any idea if you'd want the test or not?
So with my 3rd baby, they were positive he had Downs, and came out just fine. The tests aren't always right anyway
We have that option at any age (I'm in Canada). It's a pre-natal screening program that tests for, among other things, increased likelihood of down syndrome. I always get it - and not gonna lie - mostly because it's the only way I get an ultrasound before 20 weeks.
So, yep, I'll be getting it again. Some people struggle with the idea, which is understandable - it can force you to think about possibilities and what to do if/ how to deal with different situations - but I always prefer to know vs not knowing.
Do you have any idea if you'd want the test or not?
So with my 3rd baby, they were positive he had Downs, and came out just fine. The tests aren't always right anyway
FYI this was probably from one of the older screening tests (if it was 14 years ago) which are very prone to "false positives". The newest tests are much, much more accurate (nearly 100%). See my earlier post in this thread for info on the different types of testing that are being offered in many OB offices to women over 35.
Me: 40 DH: 43 Married 5/30/15 TTC #1 June 2015 BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16! TTC #2 May 2017 BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Hi everyone- I'm 36 and will turn 37 the month this little one is scheduled to arrives. We got married in August and knew we would try right away, I just can't believe it took the first time! I'm personally hoping for twins because I've always wanted 3 kids, but because conceiving this poppyseed was so easy, my hopes to have 3 pregnancies have increased!
I'm definitely getting every test that they offer to us old ladies. I'm the type that needs to have every piece of information that I can.
@FutureJett , totally normal heart rate! And the chance of m/c decreases DRASTICALLY once a heartbeat is heard
I remember learning in nursing school that a pregnancy after age 30 is referred to as a geriatric pregnancy - YUCK [-X
I'm 37 & will be 38 when I deliver. Had my first at 33, second at 35 & third at 36. This will be our last baby, which makes me sad, but in about 6-7 months, I will probably also be feeling quite thankful
I am 36, will be 37 when baby #2 arrives. I also have stopped researching on the Internet bc some of that stuff is scary for "older" moms. We have to wait until Nov. 9 for our first appt. Seems like the longest wait ever!
Hi everyone- I'm 36 and will turn 37 the month this little one is scheduled to arrives. We got married in August and knew we would try right away, I just can't believe it took the first time! I'm personally hoping for twins because I've always wanted 3 kids, but because conceiving this poppyseed was so easy, my hopes to have 3 pregnancies have increased!
I'm definitely getting every test that they offer to us old ladies. I'm the type that needs to have every piece of information that I can.
We have a lot in common! I too will be 37 (next month) and me & DH got married in July. I do have kiddos though from my previous marriage. Let me know if u would like to talk sometime!!!!
FutureJett , totally normal heart rate! And the chance of m/c decreases DRASTICALLY once a heartbeat is heard
I remember learning in nursing school that a pregnancy after age 30 is referred to as a geriatric pregnancy - YUCK [-X
I'm 37 & will be 38 when I deliver. Had my first at 33, second at 35 & third at 36. This will be our last baby, which makes me sad, but in about 6-7 months, I will probably also be feeling quite thankful
Yeah, I guess "Advanced Maternal Age" is way better than "Geriatric pregnancy"!
I'm 36 and this is my first pregnancy. I'm hoping this one sticks (and in the right place)! My first ultrasound is this Thursday, so my fingers are crossed.
I had heavy implantation bleeding, so my doctor ran blood tests. My HCG tripled on my betas, but my progesterone was extremely low (.7). My doctor didn't think it was anything to worry about, so naturally I'm super worried because I've been googling. I haven't been spotting at all for over a week and I only cramped for a few hours during the IB, so maybe the test was wrong or the results were typo'd.
thanks so much for the reply, I am sending you a big not-at-all-creepy virtual hug and many well wishes to your whole family:) I am generally a pretty secure and confident person, but this has me so scared. Any reassurance truly feels like a gift. All of a sudden my mom's drastically overbearing and constant fear for my life makes complete and total sense. I have already apologized to her for being a heartless sadist and not checking in more during my 20s. I suspect you have a rad partner and great kids, I am currently overwhelmed at the prospect of one, you must be pooped!
@FutureJett , totally normal heart rate! And the chance of m/c decreases DRASTICALLY once a heartbeat is heard
I remember learning in nursing school that a pregnancy after age 30 is referred to as a geriatric pregnancy - YUCK [-X
I'm 37 & will be 38 when I deliver. Had my first at 33, second at 35 & third at 36. This will be our last baby, which makes me sad, but in about 6-7 months, I will probably also be feeling quite thankful
Yeah, I guess "Advanced Maternal Age" is way better than "Geriatric pregnancy"!
Everyday since I got the referral for the genetic counseling that read "elderly" I have griped about this to anyone that will listen. There MUST be a better way! lol!!
Waving hi!!! I'm 39 and my DH is 30 - this will be our first. Super nervous about this one sticking as we had a mmc in June. I'm now on 400mg of prometrium and really enjoying all of the side effects....NOT. I can't tell which symptoms are pregnancy symptoms and which one are from the meds, so annoying. I've really enjoyed reading all the intros and I'm glad to see this is such a large group!
Re: "Older" moms?
Unexplained IF/RPL
TTC#1 2003 BFNs, 2004-2009
5 angels above
2010 IVF-PGS-FET#1, DD b. Aug-2011
TTC#2 2012 BFNs, 2013 FET#2, DS b. Nov-2013
TTC#3 2015 BFNs, FET#3
(my 6th and last angel above)
Journey Complete.
Oh yes. If anyone asked me for advice on pregnancy this is the first thing I'd talk about - KEGELS. Do them. Do them often.
Oh how I miss the simplicity that was sneezing and jumping on a trampoline.
We have that option at any age (I'm in Canada). It's a pre-natal screening program that tests for, among other things, increased likelihood of down syndrome. I always get it - and not gonna lie - mostly because it's the only way I get an ultrasound before 20 weeks.
So, yep, I'll be getting it again. Some people struggle with the idea, which is understandable - it can force you to think about possibilities and what to do if/ how to deal with different situations - but I always prefer to know vs not knowing.
Do you have any idea if you'd want the test or not?
I work in the field of genetics and I always assumed I would do the test, but now that it's MY pregnancy I find that I'm second-guessing myself. I'll still probably get the test because I like to be prepared, but I have difficulty being objective when I'm so emotionally wrapped-up in things. There's no right or wrong answer.
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
DD1 EDD 08/18/01, born 08/03/2001 ~ 9lbs 10oz, 21.5 in
DS1 EDD 4/30/2004, born 05/04/2004 ~ 10lbs, 22 in
mc 02/14/12 @ 5 weeks
DD2 EDD 12/25/12, born 12/30/12 ~ 10lbs 11oz, 21.25 in
mc 12/05/15 @ 12 weeks
Cautiously expecting 12/02/16
DD1 EDD 08/18/01, born 08/03/2001 ~ 9lbs 10oz, 21.5 in
DS1 EDD 4/30/2004, born 05/04/2004 ~ 10lbs, 22 in
mc 02/14/12 @ 5 weeks
DD2 EDD 12/25/12, born 12/30/12 ~ 10lbs 11oz, 21.25 in
mc 12/05/15 @ 12 weeks
Cautiously expecting 12/02/16
The first (and older) tests are all non-specific and are based on soft findings seen on ultrasound like increased nuchal thickness (the back of the neck) and some markers that are in mom's blood. These tests are useful because they can tell you if your baby is at a higher or lower risk for Downs syndrome but they can never predict with 100% accuracy one way or the other. These tests are done routinely for all pregnancies in most OB offices.
The second set of tests are very specific genetic tests and are much more accurate. These are the tests that are often offered to moms over 35 or have other risk factors (like a previous pregnancy with a chromosome abnormality) or if there were concerning results on the first (less accurate) screening test. Classically these were invasive tests - amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, which collects a small sample from the fluid around the fetus or the placenta. However, in the past few years a new kind of non-invasive tests has become available called cell free fetal DNA testing (MaterniT21, Harmony, Verifi), which is done on a sample of mom's blood. All of these tests will diagnose Downs syndrome as well as other chromosomal disorders (namely trisomy 13 and trisomy 18), and many of them can also reveal the gender if you want to know it.
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
Married 5/30/15
TTC #1 June 2015
BFP #1 9/28/15, EDD 6/10/16. DS born 5/23/16!
TTC #2 May 2017
BFP #2 m/c 11/18/17 5w5d
BFP #3 12/17/17 EDD 8/25/18. It's a boy!
I'm definitely getting every test that they offer to us old ladies. I'm the type that needs to have every piece of information that I can.
I had heavy implantation bleeding, so my doctor ran blood tests. My HCG tripled on my betas, but my progesterone was extremely low (.7). My doctor didn't think it was anything to worry about, so naturally I'm super worried because I've been googling. I haven't been spotting at all for over a week and I only cramped for a few hours during the IB, so maybe the test was wrong or the results were typo'd.