Over 40 age risks?

[Smitten]

Does anyone know if all of the risks the doctors talk about for having a baby over 40 years old relate to first babies being born to over 40's or anyone, whether is your first or fifth baby? IYKWIM

Thanks for any info

[Ys_Woman]

I am so sorry Smitten, I didn't see this thread until today..usually I just click straight into the 40+chat area.
I believe the risk level is for anyone over 40 (or actually I think older maternal age starts at 35), is the same whether it's your first bub or twentieth.
I have had three kids since 35 and been lucky enough to beat the odds. With this last bub I was given odds of 1:180 but my gp told me not to stress as for someone my age (then 44) the risk was supposed to be 1:26 (or some other horribly low number)..so 1:180 was a bonus!
Are you nearing 40, or have turned 40 and are considering another bub?
Amy:)

[Smitten]

Hi Amy

Thanks for your reply. I will be 40 soon and I have two kids now and I am thinking of a third (actually it is in my every thought)

If I look up TTC over 40 on the net all I read is statistics and bad news and I wanted some other opinions. I was hoping that the risks were more for first babies as having two kids already means that something must be going right.:fingerscrossed:

It is a really tough decision to have another.

How do you find having the three kids - does it work?

[Tabby]

Hi Smitten,

I dont know much about stats etc and probably not helping you to decide much but wanted to offer my support should you ttc
When I was ttc dd I was 40ish and like you checking the net..I read so much conflicting information that I stopped, it was just confusing and depressing me !

My odds where 1:800 with Katie and like Amy says, the odds dont change if 1st or 10th.

Im actually ttc another now at 45. :D
AS the boys are grown so I would like a close in age sibling for dd.

All the best for ttc if you decide to take that road hun :hugs:
and should you need any advice / help etc feel free to join our 40+ threads..even though your not there yet we would still love to have you

[SixtiesChild]

Hi Smitten,

I don't think it's really age that's risky but the things that usually go with being older.
In my situation, at age 40, I started my pregnancy 20kg over my optimal weight.
And I strongly feel that it was the excess weight at age 40 that contributed to a problem pregnancy, not simply being 40.
The Dr's know this but don't really tell us everything.
So, it's very worthwhile for any older mum to maintain a certain level of fitness at this age if she's hoping to have a healthy pregnancy & birth.
I think it can reduce the chances of problems at least.

[Ys_Woman]

Hi Amy
How do you find having the three kids - does it work?
Again I forgot to look here..aggghhh.

You asked: does it work?
I guess there are pros and cons as with anything. My middle two are only 14mths apart and that was tough going..but they are (almost)7 and (just turned)8 and I'll admit I was feeling pretty chuffed in Feb last year when my youngest started school. Finally after 21 years of playing mummy (my eldest is 21) I would finally have time to myself. I had so many plans for my 'selfish time' it would make your head spin..lol. Then just a month later I fell pg naturally.

Honestly, I couldn't have been happier. I had lost a pregnancy 9 mths earlier, so to have this opportunity given to me again was a wonder and a miracle. Yes I was tired having to go through night feeds again, and it is hard when I have the other two to get ready for school and bub needs me as well, but I wouldn't trade him for the world. He is absolutely necessary to our family, he rounds it off beautifully.

I do agree with Ethereal though..getting in shape would have been the best thing in my case as I was already overweight and the extra weight I carried in the last trimester has played havoc with my joints since.

I know I will be grandmother age when bub gets to teens etc..but hopefully he will just see us as his loving parents, and not be worried by our ages. My dh is almost three years younger than I and we worked out that by the time he retires at age 65 bub will be 24 and hopefully finished with his education and off leading an independent life.
Looking around at the other mums at school I don't feel so out of place right now. There are quite a few who delayed having their families til their late 30's..and with many women going through things like IVF in their 40's and even 50's, hopefully older mums will be quite the norm when bub starts school.

I hope that helps.

Hugs,
Amy:)

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