Pregnant at 43, need advice on some symptoms

[Zoe2B]

Hi all. I'm almost 5 weeks pregnant (my first time) and am 43. Here's a little history.... I was told that I would never be able to have my own baby after getting back really high FSH levels. This doc said IVF with an egg donor would be my only option. Saw another specialist who was more hopeful, but still was told the odds of using my own eggs were against me because of my age. I started acupunture and herb supplemtents, positive affirmation CDs, and tried relaxing! 4 months later, I became pregnant. We are so happy! But it's scary too because on my first trip to the OBGYN all he did was tell me all the risks and the terrible things that can happen, with nothing positive to balance that info out. I've beaten the odds so far, and I have to remember that!

I have a couple things going on that I'm wondering if others have experienced. Night sweats started a couple nights ago - it's not terrible, but it's noticable. I also started feeling this sort twinge in my lower abdomen, on the left side, just above and to the left of the pubic area. Someone else described it as a "stitch", like you used to get in gym class. Good description!  It's not super painful or anything, but it's new, so I am curious about it. It comes and goes. The other question is about breast tenderness. Mine were REALLY sore after conception for about 2 weeks straight, and seem to be less sore now. So of course I'm worried because I want as many standard symptoms as I can get so I can feel like this pregnancy is going to be successful! I would have thought that my breasts would become MORE sore as time goes on, and not less sore.
Any input would be so appreciated!!!
Thanks.

[Dee77777]

Thanks Suzy, That's wonderful, beautiful news. I have hope. thank you.

[suzy8]

Correction to what I said about the NT test, I meant to say the readings were 2.5mm to 2.7mm the first time, and then 1.7mm when we had the test redone with a specialist.  Just wanted to clarify that in case I confused anyone!

[suzy8]

I'm also 43 and saw this thread and wanted to add my comments.  I'm now 17 weeks pregnant.  I have a 16 year old daughter and tried to conceive again in my thirties but nothing happened.  I've read that older women really should be getting progesterone supplementation in the first trimester since that is the most common cause of miscarriages the older we get (we don't produce enough progesterone until the placenta starts to take over the production in the second trimester).  I didn't read about that until after I was already through my frist trimester and was a bit concerned that my doctors didn't say anything about the progesterone supplementation (there are 4 of them in the practice I am going to and we're supposed to rotate our appointments with all 4 of them since I won't know which one will actually deliver my baby).  They aren't treating me as high risk and made me wait until I was 8 weeks before seeing me for the first time.  Luckily for me, nothing happened in the first tri and I've made it this far.  

I did have night sweats as well, sometimes so bad that I had to change my pajamas in the middle of the night because they were so soaked through!  I also had very sore boobs all through the first trimester.  They are not sore at all now, I think that stopped soon after I entered the 2nd trimester.  My morning sickness is also gone finally, I had it really bad from 6 weeks until 15 weeks.  Even last week was still uncomfortable with bad heartburn and indigestion and a funny taste in my mouth.  

I really think it's a miracle that I'm pregnant, and have made it this far.  My doctor is not treating me as high risk and I'm getting all the tests done that I should (first tri screening, NT test, AFP test just done today).  I'm having a level 2 ultrasound at 18 weeks to check for defects.  I have decided to NOT do an amnio unless any of the test results give me a reason to do so.  So far the tests have been good, with the exception of the scare we had with the NT test.  The first readings were 2.5mm to 1.7mm and my doctor had never seen readings that high (although it is still within the normal range of being under 3mm, they never see anything over 2mm) so I was sent to a see a high risk specialist.  They used a better ultrasound machine (and maybe a better tech as well) and got a reading of 1.7mm.  The baby had also flipped to the other side so perhaps the reading were different due to that as well?  I don't know but I'm happy with the 1.7mm reading!  Bloodwork from the frist tri screening came back normal too so all is good so far.

[Dee77777]

I'm going to be 44, have 1 child and want another.After I had the first,my doctor was not encouraging me to have another one.What a downer but I want another one.TTC,what else can I do for this to happen?Am using Ovulation trackers and am hopeful.Good luck to you.

[lilbit_17]

I wouldnt worry about lack of or disappearing symptoms. I'm almost 10 weeks and the only symptoms I have experienced are night sweats, fatigue and off and on breast tenderness. I know all is going well because I saw a little heartbeat last week . Good luck to you and your bean :)

[Spamom]

I am 43, and I got pregnant with my daughter at 39, I had a perfectly normal pregnancy, they did not even treat me as "high risk"  I can't believe some of the postings I have read, if I were told any of that stuff at my first drs. apptment, I would have been stressed out throughout the pregnancy!  I am now 6 weeks pregnant again, I have had two misses since my daughter and I am praying that this one goes full term.  I know the negatives, but chose to think of all the positives!!  Good luck to all.  Say a prayer for me, I have an US at the end of the week!