Pregnancy – Older Moms 38 & Up

Wendy, that is funny….

I am actually a grandma (step-grandma) and a mom at the same time.   One thing that is harder for us being an older mom, is all my kids cousins are adults, so they don’t fit into the extended family so well.

I have a little story that happened though that tickles my funny bone…

I tend to look younger than I am though…  At church during the one class, I hang out with the other mom’s of babies that are too young to go to the nursery (so younger than 18mo…)   One mom and I were talking about computers in schools – and I said that when I was young, there wasn’t computers in schools until I was almost in High School.  After some discussion (ie, remember Apple II’s?  – yes, that was what I meant… etc) – she said “You’re not that old….”  I asked how old she thought I was….  she said about my age (she is about 25).   She couldn’t believe it when I told her that I’m 42….

Ah yes, I have always been very tired with my pregnancies (after my first) – but I attibuted that to having young kids too…..

Actually, I just remember that I was put on “almost bedrest” during my last pregnancy…. but I don’t think it was an age thing, but a weight thing… My legs/feet were swelling at about 3 months an amount more like a full term person… although I didn’t have high blood pressure.  My doctor was very worried about that.  I think I would have been on bedrest except he knew I had 3 young ones to watch.  We did a lot of school from the couch with my legs up.  (It got a lot better)

While this thread is old, and I hope the mommies and little ones are well, I felt compelled to leave a note. We received two healthy babies into the world easily and without difficulty when I was 40 and 41.5. These were my second and third girls (the first from an earlier marriage at 20). I was healthy and pregnancy was wonderful, invigorating even, at 40. Close to as good at 41 except terrible veins in the last 8 weeks necessitating stiff white stockings daily. I will say that I was pretty triumphant with my two infants breastfeeding and felt great, but there are challenges that should be considered. I’m nearly 49 y.o. now and I get worn out, and yes cranky at times, with my two, especially with husband-child number 3. I’m an at-home mom, cook all meals and shop and clean a big house and I homeschool my oldest (technically middle child). I honestly thought at 40 that I’d beat aging down with a big stick. But I feel it! I’m cheerful and resilient overall, but my face is careworn and I’m all-out at the end of each day and anemic. Around 45 y.o. you start to feel it. It’s a lot to invest and my life is well-loved and hard-won. For those considering late motherhood I would just say think wisely. You will age. You need to be extra healthy and eat right. It’s not fair to get sick if you can help it. Complexities of normal life and marriage with young kids will be harder when you are 40-60. Last bit of advice, stay very connected to your kids and train them well young… otherwise you’ll never make it through the adolescent years!