Pregnancy over age 35?

I had my first baby last year at age 41. Other than a couple extra scans because of an ovarian cyst, I didn't have anything else out of the ordinary. We did do the nuchal fold test because of my age, but not the amnio. We had one private scan because it gave photos in 3D and we were able to tell the sex, but that was just because we were curious, not out of medical necessity. I think in general in the US they tend to do more tests and treat pregnancy almost as an illness, whereas here they just let you get on with it unless there are  problems.

I had baby one here in the UK at 31 and baby two in the US at 42.  I didn't have many more tests in the US (I was offered plenty and had the basic blood test to find out if I should have the amnio but when it showed I was low risk for Downs I declined it).  I had a great doctor over there who said he loved my laid-back attitude and was more than happy to keep things simple for me.  The only complication came when I got gestational diabetes and had to keep strict control of my diet.  All turned out well and had a lovely baby boy 8 years ago tomorrow!

Thanks for starting this thread. I was feeling kind of bad for waiting for long (I'm 33 and we haven't started trying yet, but might start TTC next year) and someone I know told me I was getting too old!  I feel much better now, knowing I still have plenty of time! 

One thing to point out is that each county will be different. You may have more appointments in your area just because it's your first baby or maybe because you are over a certain age.

Also, be prepared that you may only get 2 well baby apt's the first year.

I was 36 when my daughter was born and was offered the standard tests and then the nuchal scan is done privately and has to be scheduled early. I declined the blood test as the accuracy rate is too low for me to be stressed about.

I had my first 3 rather early, so tests were not an issue. Wowen are having babies much later now, and the US does tend to "overdo" things. There is "cautious" and then there is "OCD".  ;-)  I think u will find that is not as much a worry as it used to be. Wish i could be of more help. Just watch out for the morning sick. *bleck* (smile and a wink)

I was 35 when we conceived Jean and had her less than a week after I turned 36.  From what they said at my intake midwife appointment my age wasn't an issue (was my weight made me have to have so-called shared care).  I believe she said they considered 37 an older mum.

I had my first 3 rather early, so tests were not an issue. Wowen are having babies much later now, and the US does tend to "overdo" things. There is "cautious" and then there is "OCD".  ;-)  I think u will find that is not as much a worry as it used to be. Wish i could be of more help. Just watch out for the morning sick. *bleck* (smile and a wink)

Thanks for this, good advice! I am actually trying to think of it as the US doing too much prenatal, instead of the UK doing too little... and it's great to hear all the stories on here that turned out well.

I'm also hoping I'll worry less when the morning sickness goes away and I can enjoy being pregnant more! Four months in, no signs of easing up, YUCK, what a misery...

Morning sick WILL get better, but worry DOES make it sooo much worse. Everything will be lovely, i am sure. U must be so excited! On a side note, sort of, i have a  question. What if a person's labor is generally rather quick. I read a reply here about home birth not being a good idea. As i was told flat out i would not make it to the hospital next time (one hr.+, barely, with my daughter) and am curious how that type of scenario would play out. Any one have an experience to share?  34 and not pregnant. But u never know what the future holds. (smile and a wink)

Adding my thanks for this thread. Tim and I are planning on waiting 4-5 years before starting a family, which would put me at 34/35.  The one thing I'm a bit concerned about and I'm hoping someone can answer for me - if you need a C-section, does a doctor do it?  Or a midwife?  My US doctor has told me on more than one occasion when I've been in for exams that I will need a C-section when I have children, and it makes me nervous that a UK doctor would tell me I don't. As much as I'm sure natural childbirth is amazing, there is no way a baby can naturally come out of me.  My doctor can barely complete an exam, that's how tilted things are in there.

I hAd DD at  36.  I thOught I woiuld  be considered  high risk due to my age  but  thE midwife  said  it IS more based on your  'history'...  Since I am a plain Jane  I was actually  a low  isk  for  Quite  a while. At 16 weeks  I had  a bleed. WAS KEPT OVERNIGHT  BUT NOTHING MAJOR..JUST CAUSED ME MAJOR STRESS..  ..and yes they  kept pressuring me  to get  the  amnio  done  which I  refused.  At 22 weeks  they  knew DD would have a  cleft  so more scans  were done  since  sometimes  clefts  present  as  a symptom of something else  not just  an isolated  thing..  On my due date I went in  for a regular checkup  and  they felt my  blood pessure was  too high and DD was   'big'  but in my families  babies  run  big.I told  DH  I know this baby will be big and have  a  full head  of hair..   . I was  11 lbs  6 oz.My nephew  was  10 lbs   6..my twin nieces  were  7lbs  2 oz a nd  6 lbs  8 oz  each!...  SSoooo..  i was in the hospital  for  3-4 days  while they tried  to induce me...nothing..  so yes a  doctor  not  a midwife...performed  a c  section.. 

Adding my thanks for this thread. Tim and I are planning on waiting 4-5 years before starting a family, which would put me at 34/35.  The one thing I'm a bit concerned about and I'm hoping someone can answer for me - if you need a C-section, does a doctor do it?  Or a midwife?  My US doctor has told me on more than one occasion when I've been in for exams that I will need a C-section when I have children, and it makes me nervous that a UK doctor would tell me I don't. As much as I'm sure natural childbirth is amazing, there is no way a baby can naturally come out of me.  My doctor can barely complete an exam, that's how tilted things are in there.

If a c-section is medically warranted, you will have one. It's performed by an obstetrician, not a midwife.  If it's not medically necessary but you wanted one for other reasons, you may still be able to have one but most hospotals are trying to discourage elective c-sections now.

In terms of US care, it's all down to your doctor and your health, really.  It's not like every woman over the age of 35 is poked and prodded relentlessly for forty weeks.  I've had several friends have babies at 35+, and they all had different experiences.  The ones who were watched closely were the ones who had reason to be (previous miscarriages, family history of issues, etc.), and the others were treated no differently than someone ten years younger.

Thanks ladies, I feel a lot better now .

Thanks ladies, I feel a lot better now .

Me too. 

Thanks ladies...I am 34 and wanted to know how the care and tests were over there...

Lovely!
thanks