Hi mamas! Anyone else out there who found out they were pregnant at an 'advanced maternal age' (doctors term makes me feel so old - I'm 41). If yes, how was your pregnancy? What were the reactions from your family/friends? Other pros/cons?
I have a 6 year old daughter that I thought was going to remain an only child. I'm still in shock and not sure how I feel about this just yet.
Well, I'm still in shock and don't think I've really accepted the idea of being pregnant at age 41, but I guess with a little more time I'll come to terms with it. I figure this is karma coming back to bite me: I have several younger friends (with kids the same as my daughter) that are expecting and I've joked with all of them that it was better them than me, and that there was no way I'd start over with diapers, etc. again. Apparently, GOD is quite the joker now, isn't he?!? LOL
I was considered AMA with my first. I got pregnant at 34 but was going to be 35 when she was born (she ended up being born the day AFTER I turned 35). I just never dreamed I'd get pregnant at 41 (and I'll still be 41 when this one comes along). Like I said, I'm still in shock! I can only hope that now that GOD has had his fun he'll bless me with an easy pregnancy like the first time, and a happy and heallthy baby.
Thank you all for sharing your stories and the words of encouragement!
My doctor called me that at 35 and I wanted to slap him!!! :0) He would make jokes about it in a very nice way, but I guess they do consider 35 "old" I loved every part of my pregnancy and am glad that I waited.
They are going to put you through stress test no big deal. You will get alot of ultra sounds. If they want to test for downs they take amniotic fluid from you which may cause miscarriage. I turned it down and he was normal. Everyone said what were you thinking. my answer was it felt good. any questions mail me in private I will answer best I can. watch your blood sugar though. The less sugar the better.
Congratulations L.!!!
I had my first baby at 35 years old, and the second one at 41 like you. I had fantastic pregnancies, I felt so good in both pregnancies, the hard part was the deliveries and I had C-sections (don't worry, other moms are luckier than me!!). Both of my kids are happy and healthy and.....no, I didn't want to do the amnio and that was my decision and my husband's. I would have received with all the same love a sick or healthy child either way. I took care of myself very well, I ate lots of fruits and vegetables, I changed certain habits. I started to exercise more (according to every month of pregnancy); I learned to read the products' labels etc.. I had more ultrasounds than those D. to younger moms to be, I went to the doctor for check ups more frequently, too.
I got married late in life because I was too focused in my career, so I had my children late in life, and when I got pregnant, family and friends were so happy and helpful.
I feel like having children at older age allow me to enjoy deeply my kids' lives, I feel more mature, the cons, probably thinking that certain reality health issues will come up eventually and energy is not the same as being younger; however, and because I am a very active woman, I do exercise and I keep my mind in shape too,and that is very important for my children.
A funny thing.....people ask sometimes if my kids are my grandchildren (lol) I thought I look too old (I am not..really),but most of moms are very young ...so...that's life I guess! I have 2 kids (4 and 10 yrs old)
Just keep yourself healthy, very healthy and active, love your life and keep feeding your mind with optimism and new things to learn!
Take care,
Alejandra
I had my 3rd at 38 and yes, got the big "AMA" label on my file,lol. I have to tell you , it was a great pregnancy and the Labor and Delivery was my easiest. I was so nervous that it would be harder, but infact it was quick and literally painless. Good luck and enjoy it all. What a blessing for you and your family!!
I was 39 when I delivered my first. Uneventful, totally normal uncomplicated pregnancy.
I suggest a swift punch to the face if anyone uses that term (AMA) to your face. Hey--it worked for me! LOL
ENJOY your pregnancy! Mature moms are the BEST!
I was talking to my doctor last month about trying for another and he opened my file, yes he was checking my age,43. I was like doc I had my son at 36 and obviously I haven't hit menopause and then he said the AMA title. He said it is a label given to women over 35 because the risk is higher. I got it but told him if you say that again to me be prepared to block a punch (lol) My sisters friend had her daughter at 46 because she hadn't fallen in love earlier in life and found her true love at 44 and they got right on the baby making business and easily got pregnant and now 5 year old CoCo is the apple of their eye It's so much more commom to be a mom at an older age these days. Women put careers on the fast track in their 20's,30's or second marriages and things happen when they happen. I'm sure once you get over the initial shock you will be excited and anyone who gives you a sideway glance especially if they are younger I'd say "jealous that I have a rockin' sex life?" True or not it'll stop 'em in their tracks.
i got slapped with the AMA title at 36. I had to go to an AMA dr on top of my normal OB. They did some genetic testing and I opted out for the amnio and everything went fine and our child is fine. I did get a sono every month (because of AMA and something else) so i have a nice album of pics of my child thru the development. My preg was easy for the most part...seemed like I had a little of an issue with pre gest diabetes but I controlled it with diet (which helped with the baby weight). I am glad we waited because we were ready. Recovery though seemed harder to me (had a c section). Probably wouldnt have been so tough if I had been about 5 yrs younger. We plan to have one more.
Congrats on the new addition:) Well, I'm the product of a mom who had me at 43 years of age and that was 41 years ago. I had my second child at 37 and my last at 40. My last pregnancy was the most difficult because I had morning sickness 24/7 for the whole nine months. My mom however, when she was pregnant with me, worked until the last minute and felt great. So, everyone is different. YOU CAN HAVE A HEALTHY BABY at this age...don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I have two very healthy boys and I've been healthy all of my life (knock on wood). It's all in how you take care of yourself. Take your prenatal vitamins, eat right, get exercise and plenty of rest. If your insurance covers extra testing like for genetics, have it done if you are worried.
Just recently, I met a couple who had a set of triplets at 51 years of age, yes, fifty one. They had IVF done and all three kids turned out fine. In fact, the mom had a 32 year old son and told me that her pregnancy with the trips was much easier than with her son while she was in her twenties. So, really, it just depends on you, physically and emotionally.
I hope this helped:)
M.
I am currently pregnant with my second child at age 39. I will turn 40 a month after the baby is born. My son will turn 8 right before his sister is born. My family and friends were great...I only had one cousin who looked at me cock-eyed when I said we were thinking about having a child. I said that if Madonna and Nicole Kidman could do it, there was no reason why I couldn't too! My doctor only used the AMA term once and told me she wouldn't bring it up again (and hasn't). My pregnancy hasn't been the easiest, but I really feel it has nothing to do with my age. I just think every pregnancy is different. I feel actually having a baby now will help keep me feeling younger than I am. Don't get me wrong....there are moments where I wonder what I was thinking when I start imagining the sleepless nights! But I know this baby will also be a welcome addition to our family and I think it will be good for my son. He is so excited about his sister...talking to my belly and asking me how I'm feeling, if she's moving around a lot, etc. I hope you embrace this pregnancy and enjoy every moment of it! (Once you get over the shock, of course!)
Congratulations, L..
I had our second son just as I turned 40. My boys have kept me young.
My husband and his twin brother were born when his mother was 42. The only thing bad about it is his parents acted old. My husband and I don't . We stay very active.
Hope this helps,
Victoria
First of all, congratulations! Sounds like it was a bit of a surprise, but I hope it becomes a happy one.
I was AMA with our second child. It made me feel ancient! I went to Kaiser's experienced moms refresher class and they accidentally gave me the wrong packet. The woman said, "Oh, you need the OLDER moms packet." Yikes. Felt like the bus from my senior living facility should have been waiting for me outside!
Anyway, my pregnancy was fine, aside from morning sickness. No complications, other than my daughter being face first at birth, and that could happen at any age. I asked my doctor about the AMA risks and I remember him saying that even in your early 40s, the risks are higher, but not astronomical. A lot will depend on your current health. My SIL was in her mid-20s when she had my niece but was very high risk because she's obese. So, age isn't everything.
The good news is that aside from those initial appointments, you won't hear the AMA label used too much. Best wishes to you! I hope the coming months go smoothly for you!
