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Hello, I am turning 41 in May and have recently thought about having 1 more child (I have a 3 and 5 year old). I would love to hear from other mothers that have had a child at this age and if they had any of the abnormality testing done as this scares me. Appreciate your support.


Posted anonymously, 2nd April 2014


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  • My Aunty had her baby in her early 40s and had a problem with the birth, but she had toxaemia which should have been diagnosed a few weeks before. She complained to the dr. about a couple of issues which my Mum alter found out were symptoms he should have taken notice of. My Aunty didn’t drive so my Mum was taking her to appts.

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  • I tried, but was unsuccessful after 12 months, so I gave up. I don’t think the tests are as invasive as they used to be. Don’t be scared

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  • hey…its an old post…hope all is well

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  • exellent super story

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  • My grandmother had her 3rd child at 45 having already had my uncle 21 and my dad 14. My aunty is an amazing strong woman and never had anything wrong with her other than needing glasses which all of my dads family needs.

    on my mums side my other aunty had her first child born the day before she turned 46. He is a wobderful healthy young boy and other than needing a c section and having PPD my aunt was all fine from tge pregnancy

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  • We’re expecting our first child at 44/45 respectively and knew that risks were part of the package. The 12 week scan showed that we had a slightly higher risk of Downs Syndrome plus a few other conditions, but we decided against further testing as we were only in a risk bracket just above normal and that we would happily raise a child with Downs. Still waiting the arrival of our little one, but are happy with our decision not to test further. Pregnancy is very much a lottery and not all tests are full proof, so I think that you need to make your decision not our of fear but from how much you want a third child.

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  • I think you should discuss the pros and cons with your doctor but just remember just because your an older mum yes it does increase your chances but there are also younger mums out there that have problems to.
    I think as long as your fit and well its a decision that you and your partner need to agree on and discuss if something did occur could you look after a child with a disability ??
    Good luck

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  • Forgot to mention, my blood test results showed a high risk factor and I went on to have a CVS at around 13 weeks, which while scary to think about, was not too bad. The results were all clear.

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  • I had my first at 30, second at 31 and third at 41 (nearly 42).

    With the first two so close (only 12.5 months apart) it took me a long time to decide that yes, I would like another. At 40 I realised it was now or never. After one miscarriage, I was pregnant again quite quickly with my son due a few days after my 42nd birthday. the pregnancy was pretty straight forward, I had gestational diabetes managed with diet and exercise and felt fit and well throughout (better than I had with my second pregnancy).

    He was born 3 weeks early and is now a healthy nearly 3 year old.

    If it’s something you want then I say do it! You have the advantage of having had your other children more recently.

    I wish you all the best if it’s what you deicide to do.


    • Hi, thank you for your comments, I really appreciate it. Could I ask after your miscarriage how long before you could try again? I miscarriaged naturally very early (2 weeks) and am now unsure when I can try again or ovulate.

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  • Tricky. I had my third child at 40, and my fourth child at 43. In both cases we were highly aware that my first pregnancy (at 37) was straightforward – and resulted in a disable baby and another stillborn (twins). So we went into the later pregnancies very open to a lot of testing. As it turned out, the early tests were so positive that we didn’t go for an amnio or CVS as the risks would have outweighed the benefits. Both babies were fine although their births turned out to be unexpectedly complicated. I think you have to wait to see what the initial scan turns up before you make definite decisions. Good luck.

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  • I’m not yet 41 but in my 30’s. 8 years ago when I had my son from the word dot it was a tricky pregnancy. When I did the triple test for abnormalities, it came back with elevated levels of alpha faeta protein, which can be an indication of spina bifida. I had some extra scans done and everything appeared absolutely normal. I like another commenter’s daughter was not prepared to have amniocentesis as there is a risk of miscarriage, albeit a small one it was too high a risk for me when it had already been a tricky pregnancy. My son was born 5 weeks early at 7 pound ( I had preeclampsia) and he was extremely healthy. I wish you all the best of luck.

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  • you could talk through with your doctor the pros and cons and risks involved and only you can make that decision.

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  • good luck to you my daughter has to have testing done, but she will not have the fluid taking one so you can say no to things and be in control. All the best to you if you try again and remember just because you have hit 40 or above it’s not all dome and gloom for most mothers pregnant at that age just you are higher risk

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  • I Am Friends With A Lot Of Older Mums, Some Did Do The Testings, Others Didn’t, They Just Had The UltraSounds Done, I Am Sure They Would Have Got Them If The UltraSounds Were Abnormal Tho, Good Luck :)

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