worried about being pregnant at 48

[saraper]

hi, I am 48 years old and wound-up pregnant by accident.  I thought I was going through menopause and had unprotected sex.  My life was good until now. Any advice for me?

[maryhe]

Wow, not sure if you want congratulations or not.  But if you're healthy, you should be ok.  

You do have a high chance of miscarrying and a greater chance of chromosomal abnormalities than women under 40, so be very cautious.  I've had 2 m/c already and just turned 40.

But saying all that, you may be just fine and have a perfectly uncomplicated pregnancy.  I wish the best for you.  Just keep up with appts during the 1st trimester, that way you can spot any problems early on.  

[AnnieBrooke]

A later-in-reproductive-life pregnancy is a great excuse to do all the things you should do anyway to take care of yourself, like eat a healthier diet, exercise wisely, quit smoking, stop drinking, get centered (meditate or whatever), get your finances in order, do some estate planning, etc. etc.   My pregnancy was a breeze as far as my body was concerned.  I had a "vanished twin" but that was nothing they attributed to age, and only at the end were there any hassles, mostly because the doctors were being very cautious (more cautious than I needed them to be, and it was annoying, with multiple monitorings and non-stress tests).  I hope your chromosomal testing turns out to show everything is fine.  Good luck!

[myproblem]

You sound like you're not too happy about it. (Sorry if I've misread you.) My mom accidentally got pg and and my baby brother at 44. There were 4 of us already, and the youngest was 10. She did not want another baby, and did not want to stay with our dad anymore. They had been divorced for 7 years, and stupidly got back togehter just long enough for her to get pg. Anyhow, my brother was born healthy, and is now 16. She is 60 and can't handle him. They've always had a rough relationship, and I think she subconciously resents him. He lives with me now. If you want this baby, you can do it. Lots of women do it. If you are past the phase of your life of wanting a baby, consider adoption. It's not only for teen moms. Either way, do what is best for both of you, and good luck.

[RunningL8]

In April I got pregnant at 45 and 1/2, and was initially told the odds of a successful pregnancy at that age were 30%.  Once we saw a heart beat at 6 weeks, the odds of miscarrying dropped considerably (but sadly, we just lost the baby at 9 and 1/2 weeks).  If you want your baby to have a chance, you should insist on progesterone supplementation (crucial in the early stages, difficult for older women to produce in sufficient amounts) and weekly monitoring of your progesterone levels for the first trimester.  You will also need a Maternal Fetal Health Specialist that specializes in high-risk pregnancies, to protect your own health as well as the baby's.  Sorry to not be as positive as the other posters, but every year over 40 makes a big difference in terms of pregnancy risk factors.  God bless!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

First of all, I am glad to no longer be the oldest preggo on here.....

Secondly, I can tell you are in shock.  Give yourself sometime to adjust to the idea, but while you are doing that, make sure you begin prenatal care.  Your risk of complication is very high due to your age.  Make sure your specialist is an expert on gravid maternal age.

My mother in law had a healthy baby at 45, her mother had a healthy baby at 47.

[simjan]

hello all i need a bit of help if possible, iam 47 and i have four boys to my x husband, we have been separated for 12 years now, and since then i meet my partner which we have been together for 9 years and very happy, we are thinking of having a baby he is only 29 years old, i am very healthy.
if anyone has any comments please write to me as i do need to talk to someone. the ages of my boys are 23,20,18,16
thanks
waiting to hear from anyone
regards jane  (simjan) this is my email address ***@****

[rasmussen]

Hi i am 48 years old and thinking of havine another baby under ivf this is my second marrage and my husband is an only child and has never had any children of his own ***TERRIFIED*** my daughter 23 is going to donate one of her eggs as i do not ovalate any more we have been threw all the procedures for this, the doctor we are under is fantastic and has been sending me to specialist for my high blood preasure whitch is under  control  now  what do i have to look out for please advice.

[mrsT48]

i am 48 years old and want to have a baby but because of my age and the my health issues my doctor wont take the risk and treat me. by the way my health issue is lupus

[Lisa773]

Having a baby is a gift. I only wish I could get pregnant. I know all the risks but if I could get pregnant and have a chance at having a biological child, I would consider it a gift from God. I wouldn't be sad or mad or anything but HAPPY! If you take care of yourself and your baby, I believe you'll be fine. Remember, miracles can happen and with God you can do ALL things...ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. For those of us who have tried a long time to get pregnant, I for one consider it an insult when I hear someone upset because they have the wonderful opportunity to give the gift of life! Congratulation on being pregnant at 48 or any age. I only hope and wish the same for myself.

[teepee12]

I wholeheartedly agree w/ur comments!  I am on the way to 47 in  a few months and really wanted to have a baby w/my hubby of 4 years.  We already both have kids in their 20's, but it looks like my eggs and progesterone won't cooperate. Only my natural doctor and another lady were wholeheartedly in support of me.  Everyone else seemed "mad" that I would even DESIRE a child at this age.  So I am processing through the acceptance stage. Unfortunately adoption isn't an option because we don't meet all the requirements : (.  I pray your prayers are answered...blessings to you!

[Betsy48]

Menopause or pregnancy.. getting test to find out.  Age 48, regular menses, just started getting hot flashes but only for a few weeks, and now no period for over 2-1/2 months (beginning 3rd month late), no more hot flashes.  Only 1 other pregnancy at age 42, ectopic, tube removed and other tube was supposed to have tubal ligation at that time ... will keep all informed .. mixed feelings, but would be happy after 24 years of marriage to finally have a child, we have no children and the ectopic was a big loss for us.  Interested in finding out if other 48 year old had successful pregnancy and was there a prior tubal ligation.

[Pretty7]

Thank you so much for that wonderful advise.
God bless you for the good counsel.
Pretty

[schnuky]

well i am rita i am german so my rihteng isent all dat i am 48 yhe resen i riht you is we hafe a simeler story my boy frend is 30 i lost my sohn and husbend 5yahrs ago mak my story schort i hat my tups tiht and now i am pregnet not schure i am still in schock

[tsah]

I think its really  great  a new beginning something so very special. embrace your pregnancy
Take care of you !!!!!!

[Caroline011964]

Amen, Lisa!  I, too, am 48 and have never been successful at becoming pregnant - even after two rounds of IUIs.  After the 2nd month of doing that and it not "taking," I decided it just wasn't mean to be.  Children are miracles from God and I knew if HE wanted me to have children, HE would be the one to give them to me.  I'm thankful sometimes that I don't have any because my husband and I are divorced, and things would have been much more complicated with a child.  BUT I'm in a relationship of almost a year with an amazing man now who, incidentally, was not able to have children either.  He and his ex-wife adopted two infants who are now grown.  I think it would be so cool to have a baby with him since neither of us has been able to; this would indeed be a blessing!  We aren't trying to get pregnant, of course, but if it happened, even at this late stage in our lives, I think we'd both be shocked and happy at the same time.  

[danadup]

I am 48 years old and have been on the pill for 22 years...I skipped 2 weeks without taking the pill waiting for my Dr. appt.  Now I am 2weeks late..Is their any chance I could be pregnant...I's afraid to go take a pregnancy test in case it is postive.

[NDZ]

Hi Sarah,
I am 48 also and pregnant! At first I was seriously freaked out. I never thought it could happen to us- AGAIN! (I was pregnant last September and miscarried.) I thought THAT was just a crazy accident, but here I am again. After the initial shock, I decided that if all my testing goes well, and I am able to carry her to term, I will keep my baby. My man was freaked out too, but now he has come around. He  is  scared but excited, like me.  
Make sure YOU are healthy and safe first, and whatever YOU decide, it will be fine.
Good luck!

[childluv1]

Thank you for your thought, I am 47 and want to get  prgenant, as my husband has no children  of his  own and I would love to give him  a child,so thank you  for not making me feel like it is wrong to want a child at 47

[heartfelat]

James 1:17  "Every good thing bestowed and ever perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow."  All babies are a gift from God and if He wants you to have another baby; then age will not be a problem!  Keep praying to the Lord for your miracle baby.  He is listening and up all night waiting to hear from you!  Be strong in the Lord!!!

Your friend in Christ,

Katherine

[NeyneCarter]

Be happy hun.some women in their 20's like me have difficultly conceiving or can't at all. It's a blessing and I'm sure you'll be ok health wise and financially. Don't know if you believe in god but he dosent put more on your plate than you can handle. You will be just fine. Congrats and take care.

[Eros62]

its been 7 years.   can you share with us what happened?  thanks

[Tigerdog66]

Hi there

Im in your excact sitution - going through menopause had a one night stand  as been on my own for  donkeys years - No Excuss I know and  now im PG.
Im only 14 days past my period due date and today had  a slight pink discharge which i assume is implantation.
I lost my last set of twins at 42 after  - so  now i am in a debate as to  go ahead  or  not as im also RH0 negitive blood group and this causes problems from day one :(

Also on my own no partner. Work with a contract so would get  some benifits.
Advice anyone

[Pickie1]

Happy for you

[MPonz]

One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is the risk of birth defects. My wife was 45 when she had my son. He became autistic at the age of 2 and can't even really speak, he can't use the bathroom himself - not smart enough so he wears diapers and is 12 years old. There are no tests that will detect this. My wife's amnio test was fine when she was carrying him in 2002. Think twice before trying this because it can negatively affect everyone's life. You can become crippled financially as well because mywife's sole job has been tasking care of him the past 12years. Living on one income check-to-check. Also my normal teen daughter's life is adversely affected too. Thanks and good luck.

[slm39]

You do realise you've commented on a 7 year old post????