Well…yes…that’s me!
Pregnant and Over 40!
In fact, the baby is due on my 42nd birthday, November 10th. FORTY-SECOND! Craziness. Who would have thought?!?! Definitely not me. But here I am. And I am very excited about it. Did I already say that I am super excited? Now don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t when I first thought I might be pregnant. But as soon as it was confirmed…that was it! Done!! Over the moon!
However, even with all the excitement, this first trimester has been terrible. I have been feeling miserable. Man! I just don’t understand how some women have these fabulous pregnancies. Can those really exist?
I am not here to take you through all those glorious moments of puking and nauseousness. This will not become a pregnancy blog, nor do I plan to post every week on this topic (at least I don’t think so). Instead, I hope to share some things that might be interesting throughout this process. Being pregnant over 40 is more common these days. The Center for Human Reproduction says that there is a year over year increase of about 25% with ages upwards to 50. I had no clue. And yet there are still the concerns from the doctors. So I hope to provide you some informative tips, things I have learned, etc, as well as just share my own experience.
But regardless, as being part of the over 40 club, Doctors usually pay a bit more attention to the pregnancy including the genetics as one is considered high risk. Genetic testing includes either Amniocentesis or a Genetic Blood Test and the results are to determine whether the baby might have Down’s Syndrome or something simliar. Interestingly, the genetic blood test provides the same valuable results as the Amnio but without the risk, as stated in an article by Time in Could a Blood-Based Test Replace Amniocentesis? So I chose the Blood Based Test. From the same Time article, an Amnio can cause a higher risk of miscarriage due to the invasive nature of the procedure.
I had my test this past week and am awaiting the results. Of course I will share when I know more. In the meantime, I am not concerned. At least right now. Why worry about something I cannot change?
So I will write again when I have those results. In the meantime, I hope to continue to feel less and less sick. I also hope to get back to Denise Designed activities which include my clients, my blog, my projects, as well as my bHip endeavor. More to come about bHip.
The past few months I have not had the energy to focus on any of the above as my only focus was my traditional sales career and my family. If I am being honest, my poor family did suffer much more than my career. But Emma has been a champ and so supportive, even when I was in bed and not functioning on the weekends. Bless her!
So that’s it for tonight. I’ll post again as soon as I receive the blood work results as I will know the gender then as well! Whew hew!
If you are pregnant and over 40 and have any questions or concerns, let me know. You can either comment below or email me directly. I am sure I have some of the same questions or concerns that you do and will be happy to do some homework.
Until next time.
I had my third son 4 days after my 41st birthday. He was a joyous surprise after years of difficulty conceiving. What a joy! He is now 24 years old and college grad and employed!
Thanks Rosemary! Great to hear. I can say this…I don’t feel over 40 usually. Although this first trimester…whew…I feel older. 🙂
aww! Super exciting! Congrats!
Thank you so much Kelley!! Craziness. 🙂
Hi, Denise, Wow. Yes, I was pregnant at 39 and when I thought I was pregnant at first, I thought, is that possible? It was a miracle for me. However, my sister had 5 kids in 6 years and it was not a miracle for her – now it is because they are all grown up. Okay back to the miracle baby. The doctor said I couldn’t get pregnant but when I finally found out, he shrugged his shoulders. HA! God is handing out babies… It was a really good pregnancy (sorry). But I hadn’t had so much fun with my first baby and then the 2 adopted girls from Korea. I just completely enjoyed him (David – now 27). My husband was not happy when he found out at all but he came around. Best wishes to you and God bless!
Oh, BTW, you probably think 42 is old and I am here to say that 42 is YOUNG! Really and truly, when you get older you will think, “Wow, I was young at 42”> 🙂
Hi Linda! No I do not think that 42 is old. My 4 1/2 yr old sure keeps me young. I feel young. But I do think it is older when expecting. But I have another friend that graduated high school with me that is pregnant as well. 🙂 So…I am not alone. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, reading and commenting. I appreciate the support.
My mother-in-law was 42 and 5 months pregnant at my wedding. She did well…and enjoyed this late-comer to the family very much. It was a great thing for her, but the doctors encouraged her to not have that wonderful baby boy. I’m so sorry that you have had so much difficulty. Wishing you well with your new sweet babe and trusting that he and you will be doing wonderfully very soon. [hugs]