41 And seriously wanting another child

[wannabbabymama]

What are the chances of having a healthy baby at the age of 41?

[Birds71]

sorry for the thread jack in my above post, but I just had to clear that up!  You have another vote to go for it!  I'm feeling the clock too, but I'm going to fight it as best I can!

good luck to you!!!

[Birds71]

Hi everyone,

I can confirm that drinking has nothing whatsoever to do with having a baby with Downs.  I can sadly say that my husband and I just had a D&C after learning that our 14-week pregnancy was a baby with Downs and a large cystic hygroma.  My Dr. said it was very likely that the baby would not have survived much past birth.  We have a perfectly healthy, beautiful 2-year old daughter and thought this could never happen to us.  We have zero family history and it was just a very unfortunate act of one extra chromosome slipping in.  I will be 39 next month, but we will try again.  :)

[allmymarbles]

It is true that I have not kept up with recent material on Down's Syndrome. However, years ago it was said to to linked to alcoholism (as well as age of the mother). Certainly you see lots of people with this affliction in countries known for heavy drinking. I was not referring to fetal alcohol syndrome.

[PamelaBee]

I don't think the original poster mentioned anything about alcohol whilst pregnant.  You posted that drinking alcohol is the leading cause of Down Syndrome. That is a false statement.  So let me help clarify for you.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders(FASDs), with effects that range from mild to severe. These effects include mental retardation; learning, emotional and behavioral problems; and defects involving the heart, face and other organs. The most severe of these effects is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a combination of physical and mental birth defects.

Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46.  (Nothing to do with drinking alcohol).

[allmymarbles]

You apparently do not keep up with medical developments. Why do you think they advise pregnant women not to drink?

[lisa0114]

I am 40 years old and almost 10 weeks preganant and everything is going perfect so yes i think you have a very good chance at having a healthy baby at 43.

[Chezza65]

Well i have ollapoi9u8y76treswq

[NZmum3]

Go for it girl....I'm 45yrs and having a c-section on the 25th August to bring our wee baby girl Sapphire into the world.I decided on  the c-section as had one 15yrs ago with my son.My  husband and I have decided to try for another baby at christmas time.Good luck to you and anything is possible at our age.....

[47ANDWHAT]

Another "go for it" story. We are 13 weeks pregnant and I am 47. Natural conception and so far all seems normal and healthy. Mother Nature and God have all the say. We just hang on for the ride. good luck

[PamelaBee]

allmymarbles:  What??  Are you drunk?  LOL  I have never heard of such a thing, nor is it true.  

wannababymamma:  I'm 46, I had my first at 43 and my second at 45, both are healthy beautiful children.  It's completely up to mother nature what becomes or does not.  I would definitely go for it with no reservations at 41.  Good luck!

[allmymarbles]

The greatest risk for a Down's baby is not age, but the parent's drunkenness. If you need proof of this, visit Sweden. Victims of Down's are a daily sight. You see the same thing to a lesser extent in Portugal, another drunken populace, although not as drunk as the Swedes. I lived and worked in Iran for 16 years. I never once saw a case of Down's Syndrome. Almost no one drinks in Iran.

Have your baby and enjoy it.

[SabrinaB39]

I just turned 40 in May and am currently 17 weeks pregnant.  It has been the hardest of the 4 pregnancies that I have had due to morning sickness.  My children are 20, 17 and 5.  I had the NT test and it came back good (this is for downs)

Over 10% of the countries woman are starting their families in their 40's.  My OB does not consider me high risk due to my age.

Good luck!

[mjmom69]

I got pregnant just before my 41st birthday, naturally. Unfortunately I miscarried, but as I look at it, that happens to women of all ages. I think you should go for it!

[emmy_nyc]

I had 3 IUIs and 1 IVF, no success:( Then at 40 I got pregnant naturally (miscarried at 8 weeks) Today I'm 13 weeks pregnant again naturally at 41. I'm not sure what happened but my body works better naturally than with all those meds and doctors telling me I can't get pregnant. Good Luck!

[rosie7170]

Having babies in your 40's is no longer considered old.  Two of my friends recently both had their first babies, hasslefree and were 40/41 at the time. I was 37 with my first, fell pregnant no problems and now am nearly 39 and trying for my second and hoping that it won't take me that long either.  Good luck!!

[allmymarbles]

The good thing about being an older mother is that you are more laid back. Your don't worry over nonsense, are more self-confident and thoroughly enjoy the baby.

[alexap]

I had a beautiful son at 43--he is bright and so funny; he turns four in two weeks. The preganancy was uneventful, boring even. I did get a CVS--the genetic testing felt a little Brave New Worldish but all went well so no drama. My son has five sisters: 26, 23, 18,17, 16. I did become pregnant again at 45 but lost the baby in the second trimester--cause unrelated to age. I love being an older mom--especially with the help of five daughters. Best of luck to you. Pregnancy can happen in your 40's.

[allmymarbles]

Well, now let's see.... I had my last at age 43 and my daughter just had one at 45, and an aunt of mine was 52 (she had her first at 50). My father was born when his mother was in her mid-'40's. All were vaginal births.  And all the babies were completely normal. Yes, I should think you have a good chance. Go for it. (We do.)