Baby Corner

[Marilyn. 340]

Just a quick question, IF you don't mind answering it....(and NO I'm not, btw...)

How many of you new mommies/to be were 35 or over when you had your baby? I will be 35 in July and it's still an option for us, but that really scares me.... we're undecided yet. M.

my mom was 38 when she had one of my brothers and she was 39 when she had one of my other brothers and she was 42 when she had my little sister... she had perfectly normal pregnancies and the babies were all very healthy...

she had us older three when she was in her early 20's.....

I am nearing the 35 year mark.... i am hoping to have a baby before then...

Edited May 1, 2007 by MarilynP

[keltic 1]

i was 27 when my daughter was born... i never felt better in my life than when i was pregnant with her (physically)...

i am 35 now, and have a 6 wk old... this pregnancy was very hard on me... physically and emotionally... my son is perfectly healthy... however, there are lots of increased risks as women age... you should just make sure to educate yourself on those risks and find out what you can do to minimize them...

and i can not stress enough the importance of having the support of friends and an OB/GYN that you are comfortable with and trust

Whilst many women over 35 years have normal pregnancies, those over 35 do have special things to think about however. Making the right choices early on and working with your lead maternity carer can help your pregnancy be trouble-free.

Making the right choices

What’s healthy for you is often healthy for your baby. What’s harmful to you may harm your baby even more. Before and after you become pregnant:

`do not use recreational drugs

`do not drink alcohol

`do not smoke.

Keeping you and your baby healthy

Diet and exercise before and during pregnancy play a big role in your health. To help you and your baby remain healthy:

`take a daily vitamin supplement that contains folic acid (a vitamin that reduces the chance of some birth defects) and iron

`eat a high fibre, low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables

`stay physically active

`keep to a healthy bodyweight.

`Work closely with your lead maternity carer to get answers to the questions you may have. You may need extra care during pregnancy if you have any of the following:

`a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

`diabetes

`high blood pressure

`other chronic health problems (illnesses requiring long term treatment).

Special health care

Your lead maternity carer can give you more details about the care you will need. Women aged 35 years and older may need special care before and during pregnancy. You may want to learn more about:

Fertility counselling

As women and men age, getting pregnant can become difficult. Ask your lead maternity carer how long you should try to get pregnant before seeking help regarding infertility. If necessary, you and your partner can work with a specialist.

Genetic counselling

Genetic counselling studies the risk of birth defects for your baby. As you get older, the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality gradually increases. You should ask your lead matenity carer for details. You will be asked detailed questions about your family health history. The information gained can help you and your lead maternity carer learn whether the fetus has a risk of health problems.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a test that studies amniotic fluid (liquid that surrounds the fetus in the womb). It can help diagnose birth defects and other medical problems. Women aged 35 years and older often have this test.

Other things to consider

Most women aged 35 years or older have normal pregnancies, but there are some particular things you need to think about before becoming pregnant. Once a woman reaches 35 years she has a greater chance of the following:

`having fertility problems

`having a miscarriage or foetal loss in the second or third trimesters

`developing diabetes or high blood pressure while pregnant

`being constantly tired when pregnant

`giving birth by cesarean section (surgery needed to deliver a baby)

`having babies with chromosomal problems such as Down's syndrome

`having multiple births.

This is a great time for you to become a mum. More women over 35 years are having babies than ever before. By working with your lead maternity carer and getting regular prenatal care, you will help ensure a healthy and rewarding pregnancy.

© 2001 The StayWell Company, 1100 Grundy Lane, San Bruno, CA USA 94066-3030 www.staywell.com (0800) 333-3032. All rights reserved. Original material reviewed by the Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, National Women’s Hospital, Auckland.

[Savanphil 3]

Hi all....just checking in. Nothing new here.

[EsOrEnNa 0]

how is everyone doing..?

TMI.. i had a pretty bad day today.. for the fast 4 days or so i was having some pretty bad cramps down there.. well i took a 'look' down there with the mirrow where she stiched me and i was pretty shocked!! UGH!! i'll never look down there again!! lol.. well i went to my doc today and she had to stich me up again.. somehow the stiches came off and it got a lil infected.. she did put some numbing spray on it before she stiched it up but that ####### wasnt working so i cried like a baby while she did it.. OHH BOOOOOY did that hurt!! UGH!! i swear this was my last kid!!

[Eveline 9]

Anne OUCH...I'm sorry you had to go through that. You forget about the bad things, believe me. All that you'll remember is seeing your baby boy for the first time and in one or two (or maybe more ) years, you'll want another one.

[KiKi 0]

Hi Michelle,

I was 39 when I got pregnant, 40 when I delivered. My baby is perfectly healthy.

We did have an amnio to be sure everything was okay.

I developed Gestational Diabetes and had to use insulin......but other than that, it went pretty well.

35 is not bad at all.......I would go for it.

I don't think you'll ever look at your baby/child and regret having them, but I can see looking back when it's too late and regretting NOT doing it.

If you are thinking about it, start taking Folic Acid now, that's what I did.

more and more Moms are having babies later in life...I say go for it :-)

[Savanphil 3]

@ Anne- Wow I am sorry that you have had so many discomforts and bad experiences before and after, YIKES I hope this is the end of your pains. I love the pic of Damion it is too cute

[Anna C. 4]

http://www.genetree.com/other/genderTest.php

Did anybody do this? I'm just gathering information I am such a curious person, I think I would do this test....

[Savanphil 3]

http://www.genetree.com/other/genderTest.php

Did anybody do this? I'm just gathering information I am such a curious person, I think I would do this test....

That is an interesting concept. I didn't do it by the time it was confirmed that I was preggers I was already 16 wks and I only had to wait 2 more weeks for my U/S and they were able to tell me it was a BOY!

[Nizzy 1]

Hi everyone!!!!!!! Okay those of you who know me will shake your heads when I type this...I am in Chicago again!!!!! My mom had to go out of town on emergency and I have a sister with Down syndrome who needs special care and my dad needs to work so I am here with Eman. Congrats to all of you who had your babies since I've been gone. I can't believe how quickly it all goes by...Eman is going to be 3 months old next week! I keep thinking back to when I was 3 months preggers with him and how anxious I was about finding out the sex. He certainly is a hand full but when he smiles at me it means the world. I definitely know that this is it for me for a very very long time. I love him to pieces but man oh man is it a ton of work. Also, hubby and are young so we have some time.

I thought I would want to stay home with him all of the time and I am not against those who want to do that and are doing that but I wanna get out there and work! My parents are moving down to virginia soon so I am starting my job as a counselor in July. I am kind of nervous leaving Eman at home but I am okay with it because he will be with my mom. Also, it would help us out alot financially if I start work.

When Eman was one and two months old no one believed us and would say he looks like he is older then that. He was sick for the past week and had really bad diahrea but he is recovering. Being a first time mom can surely bring you to tears when there is something wrong, or when you even suspect something is wrong. I think of all the worst possible scenarios. Also, holding him when he gets his shots makes me get teray eyed...anyone else feel this way??

I will be here for maybe 2-3 more weeks so I look forward to posting and hearing from you all.

[Savanphil 3]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNE !!!

Enjoy your day

[neiks 19]

Hi everyone! I remember posting on this threat way back when it was started and I just found out I was pregnant. Wow it's up to 122 pages! Just to update - our little guy was born Nov 29, 2006. All is well and he is growing so fast.

Just wanted to say hi. Recongnize some names on here but there has been quite a few new ones. Congrats to everyone.

[EsOrEnNa 0]

thanks sava!!

[Eveline 9]

@Anne, Happy Birthday...Hope you had a great day.

@Neiks, belated Congratulations on your babyboy.

@AnnaC. Your frequent visits to the baby corner are makeing me wonder.... (anything you wanna tell us?)

@ALL: How do you get those pictures in the signature?

[Anna C. 4]

@ Evi: not yet Depends so much on hubbies AF application. If we get a go, we have a go