I am 36 and currently contemplating TTC. This would be my third pregnancy. I got pregnant on our first cycle twice before at the age of 32 and 34. Both of my pregnancies were fairly easy. The only complication was that I had to have an emergency c-section with my first son after pushing unsuccessfully for 4 hours. My second son was delivered via a scheduled c-section.

I am a bit fearful about trying again because I know there are more risks this time because I am older. I guess I am looking for some reassurance from anyone who has gotten pregnant after 35. How was the pregnancy? Where there any complications with you or the baby? Can you give me any advice?

Thanks for your help!

Lora

Lora, I had Frances when I was 36. I was much more uncomfortable with this pg, but I think that that is also a development that I had a lot more to do than when I was pg the first time! My blood pressure went up higher than it did with Joe. But, Frances was full term and Joe was a preemie, so that was good. The other complication I had was lots of contractions and I ended up on modified bed rest for almost 2 months. I did have an amnio with each of the kids, due to my age and a bad triple test with Joe. i'm not sure how many of these issues had to do with age and how many were just due to me. I hope that helps! Good luck if you do decide to go for 3, I'm very envious of you! :)

Mary

I was 36 when I had Julia and my PGY was uneventful. Neven had high blood pressure and I was very healthy throughout (despite being quite overweight). My only "problems" during PGy were I had sciatic nerve symptoms and beginning at 33 weeks I had swelling bad enough that my ankles started to split open. My PGY was so easy as a matter of fact, I just completed an IVF cycle and hope to find out I am PG just days shy of my 38th birthday!

I just don't see age as a problem during PGY!

I was 35 when I fell pg and had my 3rd child. The only "problem" I had was being so tired, but I don't think that had anything to do with my age, just the fact that I already had 2 toddlers to look after!

I was 31 when I had my first and 33 when I had my second. I didn't have any AFP testing or amnios with any of them. There wasn't any mention of any addtional risks due to my age during my 3rd pregnancy.

i had tony at 35 and just had gianna at 38.

i didn't have any 'major' complications with tony. i was high risk due to my chronic hypertension, but never had any bp issues while pg! i did have a lot of swelling beginning in the first tri though. ick. i had a scheduled section due to his estimated large size.

with gianna i had a progesterone issue and had to do suppositories and twice weekly injections until wk 18. again no issues with my blood pressure. i had a repeat section.

i did have amnios with both pregnancies. if there was a problem with the baby i wanted to know ahead of time so i could be prepared. because i knew i wanted to amnio i declined the afp.

Thanks for your input girls! I don't know why I am so hung up on the age thing. My Mom had my brother at 37 (almost 38) with no complications so he even she has told me not to worry. Also, my Dh was born healthy when his Mom was a week shy of 41. I guess I just read too much about the risks of pregnancy after 35 and then I start to worry. I believe we will go for it sometime in 2005 which will make me 38 when the baby is born. I am not sure if we will have an amnio done because we didn't with the boys.

Lora

I think you're hung up on the age thing because the media and medical community likes to hype it up a lot!! It makes too many of us paranoid and freaked out for no good reason. :mad: You've had 2 successful pregnancies, there's no real reason this should be any different. :)

Good luck with TTC.

How'd I miss this thread?
I had my first baby at 40. And I'm pregnant again with my 2nd at 42 and crazy excited! It's too early to notice anything yet with this pregnancy but my doctor told me that it's a little harder being pregnant when you're older. Heck, I think it's just harder if you aren't pregnant! With Wiggie I was tired and swelled towards the end and my feet hurt like crazy! But I was also overweight.
I didn't have the amnio and I don't think I will this time. I delievered a day before my due date and Wiggie's just great!
I think you'll be just fine! Like Beverly said, you've already had 2 successful pregnancies! Good luck!

I'm PG at 35 right now. I've passed all my tests and had zero complications this time. I'm not sure if its my age or the fact that I also have a 15 month old, but I do feel like I have a few more aches and pains this time. :lol: But nothing I can't take care of by getting off my feet for a bit.

Wow, Michele it's so great to hear that you had a successful pregnancy at 40 and how exciting to be pregnant again at 42. You give me hope that I can do this again!

Lora

Yea!!! You absolutely can, Lora!!!! I'll keep doing this as long as I'm able! DH even mentioned ttc #3!!!

I had my 1st a week before I turned 34 and my second at 35... my pregnancies were pretty much identical, but I was more tired with my second b/c I had a 1 year old to deal with! I agree with the others, if you've had 2 fine pregnancies, you are probably OK... I also had an emergency C with the 1st and a scheduled with the 2nd.