Who Had Babies After 35??

[Katy]

My mom had my youngest sibling when she was 41 1/2 years old. There is still some debate 40 years later whether she's normal or not!!

I can say that since she doesn't belong to this forum!! I was 15 1/2 when she was born and she's my only sister. It took about 25 years, but I can honestly say she's one of my best friends. Her kids are the same age group as my grandkids and she's closer in age to my kids than she is to me!!

 

[KSANDERS1]

I've had four children, the first three each four years apart, and my fourth at age 37. All, but the first, were c-sections. I say the older you are the easier raising children becomes. The following I can't stress enough:
Please, be aware that there are vast differences in the ways pregnant women are treated between doctors, medical staff, and hospitals. Search for the best medical staff and hospital you can find, certainly from a physical health perspective but from an emotional health perspective, as well. Also, if I had my last pregnancy to do over again, I would have foregone the amnio, too. As it was, I had to refuse additional tests schedulled at a lab over 90 miles from where I live. The way medical staff treated me at the time, you'd have thought my refusal for additional testing sacreligious. But despite the fiasco wherein a scheduled c-section unfolded in an emergency that almost cost me my daughter, she turned out to be perfectly healthy. It seems sometimes the medical profession has common sense and compassion educated right out of them. And, sometimes, people unqualified to practice medicine still find jobs somewhere. Good luck, -k

 

[Blooming chicks]

ksanders,

I was also chastised because of my decisions to forego additional testing. I did switch doctors after my 4 month check up because of the hostility from the staff over my refusal to get an amnio--like you said: it was like my decision was sacreligious. They made me feel terrible. But after changing doc's thing got much better and I enjoyed the pregnancy

Ugh..I hate typos!

 

[LyonFuzz]

I had my "surprise" twins at 38 1/2 yrs old. They are obligated to scare the crud out of you by telling you the worst things that can happen when you're over 35 and having babies and it terrified me. I chose to forego any testing out of the ordinary...amnio, triple test, etc. We did the routine ultrasounds for multiples and that was it. After researching and asking a lot of questions, the possibility of false positives with many of these tests was way too high for me to handle. Was I going to spend my entire pregnancy worried or anticipating something awful? No way, because there wouldn't be anything I would change anyway. So....I guess it comes down to what you would do if there was a problem, then decide what tests you want. It's a personal thing. And you don't have to tell anyone whether you're going to do the tests or not. This may be your last pregnancy....enjoy it:aww

 

[mom'sfolly]

I had my first at 34 and my second at 38. I don't have the comparison of the younger pregnancy, but I would say my second was harder. This may have been simply due to poor timing on my part...pregnancy and August in Texas are incompatible. I think that 35 is the magic number for amnio because at around 35 the risk of genetic abnormality surpasses the risk of amnio caused miscarriage. But, this is always your choice. I didn't have one with either kiddo. I did have a lot of ultrasounds with the second because my age and gestational diabetes made it a "high risk" pregnancy. I had a great shot of him sucking his thumb in utero. At six he still sucks his thumb.

 

[thewobsers]

hi there,
we were told that i couldnt have a baby, but i had a water birth at the hospital at 35 we were thrilled to have a beautiful and healthy girl.
then our son was born in a birthing tub, at home, with the help of a midwife when i was a week shy of 38. Our children are fine and i know that i was more ready emotionally and mentally etc in my 30s than i would have been at a younger age. Like someone else mentioned, i have had time to be educated and informed and was able to make difficult decisions despite peer pressure or drs. sarcasm and guilt tactics.
I wouldnt change a thing i did.
what a blessing, children are like the perfect mirrors reflecting our beauty and our imperfections.
enjoy your little new addition, and congrats to you.

 

[EweSheep]

Congrats on your baby!

I was 39 when I had my daughter and today she is four years old. I had amino because I chose to have it due to high risk pregnancy and down's. All tested negative and had a problem free pregnancy unntil I was ready to deliver. No problems from the amino tests but it was very uncomfortable for a moment and they didnt lie or sugar coat it to me either.

Been in labor for more than 14 hours on the "happy pill" and later spinal and due to the complications the way my daughter was trying to come out, had an emergency c-section which it last me to this day with scatic nerve problem and no amount of PT would help. My own OB was not able to come for some reason but his stand by OB friend from the same office helped out. If there were changes, I would have chose to have another opinion why I could not deliver naturally or have my daughter's head changed around somewhat. (she was trying to come out face first instead of the crown of her head and it was going in the direction of my scatic nerve path, near my hip socket (or felt that way). They told me there is no way they could have help me out here so c=section is the way to go and due ot my age as well. I was in alot of pain even the darn epidural was open all the way with each contraction I felt. And I was very tired...it was almost midnight when she came into the world.

So make sure you write everything of your wishes and what tests you want done as well.

Good luck!

 

[ChickenWendy]

Congratulations!
I had my last 2 at 35 & over. I'm almost 38 and want another one really badly. It's getting help from my DH that is the problem! We have 4 - 3 girls - 1 boy, 13, 8, 3, 1 (the baby is the boy!). I also have diabetes and had to give myself 3 insulin shots a day in my belly during the last 2 pregnancies.
I didnt do the amnios and my doctor's were totally cool with it. I go to a practice that has 4 doctors and 3 midwives. I also have to have C-sections as i dont progress. They just asked me to get the genetic marker screenings -which is blood screenings and extra ultrasounds where they measure the formation of the nose canal & the skin folds in the neck as well as the size of the heart arteries- which are bonuses (the ultrasounds) in my opinion. They do these starting at 13 weeks for me & i get real pictures of my baby that go straight to the scrapbook. The amnio is too risky.
The other test generally give you a good indication. But i will say this too - a lot of times these test are WRONG!! and we worry for nothing.
I would encourage you to not get an amnio, just take the other less intrusive test and enjoy your pregnancy. 35 is not a big deal. A plus for 35 and over is the increased chance at twins. how cool is that??

Be blessed and let us know how it turns out.