35+ checkin-in/GTKY?

[frecklesnbrains]

Hi everyone! I know I'm not the only, ahem, "mature" woman here, and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in a 35+ thread. Personally, I like the solidarity of knowing that there are other people out there who waited a bit longer, for whatever circumstances, to have a family. And I love hearing your life stories and perspectives. Plus in the upcoming weeks/months we'll probably be offered additional screening for genetic conditions and it would be nice to have a forum to discuss these things.

If you're interested, please tell us:

Your age:
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing):
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies!

[flojo973]

I'd be interested! Glad to know I'm not the only AMA member here Last pregnancy I wasn't AMA so I'm curious to see what testing will be done this time.

Your age: 35
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): DD - 17 months tomorrow!
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies!
I work full time as an in-house attorney for a fairly large company that no one has ever heard of. If I'm not exhausted from working and being a mom, I like to work out, play tennis, hang out with my family and friends, watch terrible reality TV and bake. We just moved so I'm slightly obsessed with decorating our new house and agonizing over every little decorating decision.

[frecklesnbrains]

Oh I should put myself in!

Your age: 38
Your pregnancy history: My first pregnancy! I've always been a late bloomer.
Do you work outside the home? I'm a scientific researcher in the field of human genetics and birth defects, so I know a lot about the aforementioned genetic testing we'll all be offered (too much, to be honest, and that feeds my anxiety). Outside of work I love to hike mountains, backpack, travel, and cook.

[peanutbutterandkitty]

Oh yes, another AMA here. Ha.

Your age: 37
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): One kiddo, 21 months
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies!
I do. I actually work FT and my H is SAH. I do writing for digital marketing type stuff. I like to sew and other artsy things like that.

[Kevinmac]

Hi there, I'm AMA too

Your age: 35

Your pregnancy history: first pregnancy

Do you work outside the home? I'm a special Ed teacher. When I'm not working or tutoring I like to travel, read, bake and watch sports.

[sandandsea]

I'm a few days away from 35
This is my 2nd PG, DS will be 4 just before Christmas
I work more than full time as a CPA in public accounting. When I'm not working, I enjoy activities with DS like baking, adventures, hiking, bike riding, sports, etc.

I had DS at 31 so I'm not sure how much different it will be this time, but am expecting some additional testing and more monitoring as I was in awesome shape last time and not so much this time (see DS and work above).

[frecklesnbrains]

Oct 27, 2015 16:53:48 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

I'm a few days away from 35
This is my 2nd PG, DS will be 4 just before Christmas
I work more than full time as a CPA in public accounting. When I'm not working, I enjoy activities with DS like baking, adventures, hiking, bike riding, sports, etc.

I had DS at 31 so I'm not sure how much different it will be this time, but am expecting some additional testing and more monitoring as I was in awesome shape last time and not so much this time (see DS and work above).

Happy almost-birthday!!!

[shoogars]

Your age: 36

Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing):2 daughters age 2 &4, 4 MCs (3 in 2015)

Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies! I am a SAHM, so I work in the home. I enjoy photography, crafty stuff & design (I was a landscape designer before children).

[csat]

Your age: 36

Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): 1 DS, age (almost) 3. IF issues with both pregnancies, currently pregnant after first IVF cycle cancelled and turned to IUI (to the shock of all)

Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies! I work 'outside' the home from home but not sure what the immediate future holds as I'm leaving my position in a few weeks. Unless something amazing comes up (and soon) I may do part time contract work for the same company and start seriously looking again after this baby is out. Outside of work I like cooking, the outdoors, wine...

[KR]

I'm going to put myself here bc I'll be 35 at delivery (and I think that's what they base it on, I'll find out next week at my appt)

Your age: 34
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): 2nd pregnancy, 16 month old son
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies! I work as a Physical therapist. I enjoy spending time with family, watching home reno shows and reading. In my "past" life I was a runner.

[bgkc4]

KR, you are correct. You are considered AMA is based on your age at the time of birth, not the time of conception. So, we're all in the same boat

As for me, I'm 35. This is my first pregnancy. DH and I have been married for 3 yrs and together for 9.5 yrs. I think its pretty remarkable that the baby is due almost 10 years from the date we started dating. We took our time getting married and starting a family because we were both building our careers; But it does feel weird that all of my sisters are halfway finished raising their children when I'm just starting my family. Like flojo973, I work outside the home as an attorney.

[sandandsea]

Oct 27, 2015 21:03:23 GMT -5 bgkc4 said:

 DH and I have been married for 3 yrs and together for 9.5 yrs. I think its pretty remarkable that the baby is due almost 10 years from the date we started dating. We took our time getting married and starting a family because we were both building our careers; 

Same here....we got married right after grad school at the ripe old age of 22, but didn't have DS until we were 31. Spending ours 20s on our careers and our marriage/time together and alone was excellent for us.  It hasn't been as easy to get alone time since DS!

[frecklesnbrains]

Oct 27, 2015 22:09:27 GMT -5 sandandsea said:

Oct 27, 2015 21:03:23 GMT -5 bgkc4 said:

 DH and I have been married for 3 yrs and together for 9.5 yrs. I think its pretty remarkable that the baby is due almost 10 years from the date we started dating. We took our time getting married and starting a family because we were both building our careers; 

Same here....we got married right after grad school at the ripe old age of 22, but didn't have DS until we were 31. Spending ours 20s on our careers and our marriage/time together and alone was excellent for us.  It hasn't been as easy to get alone time since DS!

You guys are lucky - I'm a newlywed! But I knew we didn't have much time. We were together 3 years before getting married though, so that's been nice.

[hudsonhawk]

Your age:35
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): DS - 5 and 11 months of TTC with IF issues.
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies! Yes, I work in marketing for a large retail pharmacy chain and healthcare organization

[vlinder]

Your age: 35
Your pregnancy history (whatever you feel comfortable sharing): This is our second pregnancy, first ended in a MMC earlier this year.
Do you work outside the home? If yes, what do you do? If no, share some of your major interests and hobbies! Yes, I'm an attorney.

[sandandsea]

I'm going to ask a stupid question. Where can I read more about AMA and the significant risks involved compared to non-AMA pregnancies?

I have my first appointment tomorrow and I'm sure my OB will discuss this, but given it's my 2nd PG (age 35) and my first (age 31) was pretty smooth sailing medically, what are my increased risks this time? I know it's all pretty much out of my control, but I like knowing more and find comfort in stats.

[frecklesnbrains]

sandandsea, Not a stupid question at all! I'd have to do some research to find specific resources that I think are good, but generally-speaking there's nothing magical about 35. Risks increase gradually as we get older - they don't suddenly sky-rocket at 35 like we're sometimes led to believe. These risks include slightly higher rates of miscarriage, chromosomal defects, and pregnancy-related complications in mom (like high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, etc.). The "cut-off" at 35 is basically for historical reasons - it's the age at which the rate of a chromosome disorder is about equal to the rate of pregnancy loss associated with amniocentesis (which was, at the time, the only available test for chromosome disorders). Therefore, it seemed reasonable to offer these invasive tests to women over 35, and that trend has continued.

If you're healthy and had no complications during your first pregnancy then there's no reason to expect anything will be different just because you're a few years older. It's likely that you will be offered genetic testing options including cell-free fetal DNA testing, maternal serum screening (like a quad screen), early ultrasound ~12 weeks to look for nuchal translucency (thickness at the back of the neck, which can be widened in Down Syndrome and some other conditions)