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• March 30, 2008 12:54 a.m.

  I find all these posts so interesting! I'm 38 and expecting my 6th girl - yes, you read right!My oldest daughter is 12 and my youngest will be 2 in 3 weeks. The point I'd like to bring home to all you ladies, especially you newer mommies-to-be, is to choose your health care provider carefully. After all the ob/gyn's I've had, I recommend considering going with a midwife! Be scrutinizing and careful in who you choose and the facility you choose, even if you're considering a homebirth, and explore all your options. It can make a big difference in your and your baby's outcome. God bless you all!

  - Laura

• March 26, 2008 1:30 p.m.

  Thank you Bonnie and Julie for your positive feedback. I agree that time will make all the difference. My daughter still isn't thrilled with the idea of diapers and diaper bags, but that will change in time. There is 4 years difference in the childrens ages, so the 4 year old can be a real "helper". I am one of 5 children, the last 3, including me, were not planned and all just 16-18 months apart. My mom and I talked about that a couple of weeks ago. She considered it God's will and took it all in stride. Lucky for the last 3 of us!

  - grandma

• March 22, 2008 8:59 p.m.

  I'm 37 and 9 months pregnant. I can't wait to see the article on being over 35 and pregnant. Doctors in the beginning of your pregnancy have so much doom and gloom to share with you when you're over 35! I think the prognosis should be based on your health and family history-not solely your age. This is my first baby. There's no way I would have been ready to fully embrace the responsibility and sacrifice of a baby earlier in my life-but that's me. I'm now in a place in my career and maturity to fully embrace this blessing without remorse. I'm elated! I look forward to reading this blog as much as I can before I deliver Camille.

  - April-Atl.

• March 21, 2008 2:59 p.m.

  Isn't it wonderful to have such a diverse group? I wish I could answer all questions but I still have to make time to deliver babies. I get a lot ideas for future topics from the comments I read. When I find a common thread, I will try to address it. My blog next week will be about pregnancy over 35.

  - Mary MurryMayo.com

• March 19, 2008 1:55 p.m.

  Hi! I have a dental health related question. i'm 12 wks pregnant and i need a root canal. i'm nervous about getting xrays & the medication required. My ob/gyn said that limited xrays are okay with a lead apron and that no vasal constrictors are allowed but that other pain medication is okay. Does anyone have any advice for me?

  - Roberta

• March 18, 2008 5:14 a.m.

  Hi Everyone, I am so glad to have found this forum. I am 5.5 weeks pregnant with my first baby and I am thrilled about it. I must confess that my head is spinning from all the do's and dont's that I have been reading about. Do any of you have some conclusive info on whethee we should or shouldn't dye our hair?

  - Joanne

• March 17, 2008 3:04 p.m.

  I guess I should clarify...I'm actually 4 weeks pregnant. I don't really get it, but I guess the first two weeks of your cycle are counted even though you are not pregnant.

  - Paula - NNY

• March 17, 2008 11:31 a.m.

  Hi, everybody! I'm 2 weeks pregnant, and very excited. I blogged a while ago about me being older (38 years) and my husband having a vasectomy reversed after 8 years. Well, it worked! We are very excited. I knew something was different from my normal cycle. And I was having some of the symptoms, fatigue, breast tenderness, and a strange feeling in my uterine area (it was like a great big mosquito was biting me). Very cool. I've been writing these things down in a day book, so I can always have something to look at.

  - Paula - NNY

• March 14, 2008 11:22 p.m.

  I am 4 weeks pregnant with my second child and I am dealing with hyothyroidism. I had my thyroid removed 8 months ago. My levels are normal but I have been told that they will change again. I have also heard that there can be miscarriage increases and defects. Has anyone gone through a pregnancy with a pre-existing thyroid problem?

  - Becky, AZ

• March 14, 2008 1:15 a.m.

  Hi! So many topics...it's great. I'm only 4 weeks pregnant with my first. So I'm just taking it easy to get through the 1st trimester. I too have been stressed out about work a bit. My husband and I are totally excited, so that makes things easier. I've been concerned with the controversy over immunizations being linked to autism. Does anyone have any ideas of info on this topic? Good luck to all of you!

  - VAL

• March 11, 2008 2:11 p.m.

  I'm currently trying to conceive. My husband and I are dealing with my fertility problem (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I'm searching for ALL the options I can find. Do you have this disorder? I'm currently on Metformin (850mg) to help regulate my insilin levels. What worked for you? This will be my first child (once we conceive) and we've been back and fourth with my Dr. but we have an app. to get a second opinion. Plus I'm overweight and trying to bring it down so I can help my chances. Do you have advise for me?

  - Lauren

• March 10, 2008 8:51 a.m.

  Sally- When done properly, co-sleeping is a wonderful and safe thing. Check out literature from LeLeche League and Dr. Sears. For most people it is safe.

  - Allison

• March 7, 2008 8:01 a.m.

  I'm happy to see there are so many "mature" mothers here. At 43, I am expecting my first baby. In this small, rural community where my husband and I live, I enjoy reminding certain people that my mother was also 43 when I was born - and it worked out well for me!

  - PK

• March 5, 2008 10:55 p.m.

  My daughter is pg and she was taking seizure meds but stop. She is worried about birth defects. This is her 2nd, the 1st., she went off with no problems but now her dr. wants her back on them. She only has had 2 since she was 17 and now 30, should she take them or not? I can't find anything on pros and cons. I really need you advise and I hope you read this every now and then, so you can answer my question. I hope I didn't offend you by that comment but some people start these blogs and never get back to them. We have already talked to the neuro & internist and they have different opinions. The neuro is insisting and if she doesn't , he will take her driver's license away. Anyways, pls help us. I thank-you in advance, Melba

  - Melba W

• March 5, 2008 6:08 a.m.

  Dear Mary, I believe pregnancy should be fun, it's not a disease but a stressful physiological state. You need a good mindset to carry it. i am having my third pregnancy which i planned for; has 2 babies: 5 and 3. This pregnancy appears to be more stressful than the previous ones but i tried to live my normal life though with some physiological slowing down. I count this period as a temporary one and i can't wait to deliver my last baby hopefully.

  - Ayanlowo O

• March 5, 2008 2:22 a.m.

  Dear Donna, pregnant woman in the age of 48. I'm glad to see I'm not the only weird woman, wanting to have a baby in her late forties. From my first marriage I'v got 3 children, the youngest is 15. I'm 47 now, and met an old schoolfriend, we began a relation that was surely meant to be. He is 48. We both look a bit younger than we are. Pregnancy is easier, when you've already had children before. The chance to get pregnant diminishes strong over the age of 37, and the chance of abortions and Down's syndrome becomes higher. Down's syndrome chance is 6%. And then indeed there is 'what do people think of me and how do they keep reacting', also when you bring your child to school. My brother is 51, his son 3 years, and he sees other parents talking about a second child - that will never be the case for him! Still: it's a joy that keeps you young, but you have to feel within if both of you will be healthy enough till the age of 65. My advice: live long and healthy, enjoy! Anneke, Holland

  - Anneke

• March 4, 2008 7:15 p.m.

  Thanks Mary - where exactly do I find a maternal fetal medicine doctor? Do I simply ask my OBGYN for a referral? Are there any medical associations or lists I should consult? I am not in a big hurry to get pregnant as i have a 5 month old at the moment and my daughter is in school -- but I would like to get all of the information now, so that in a year or two I will be able to make the best decision.

  - SPrice

• March 4, 2008 7:11 p.m.

  Hi Lisa. God must have great plans for your new addition, especially after having your tubes tied. Congratulations!!I am going to be a busy mom too soon. I have a 7,5,3,2year old and one due in July.

  - Julie B

• March 4, 2008 2:22 p.m.

  I have been reading the posts everyday. I am overjoyed we have such a community of diverse people responding. I am sorry I can't answer every question. You all have been answering each other and supporting each other. I do want to respond to a few specific questions. Grace, you are doing the right thing with the folic acid. Because of your history, your risk of a repeat baby with a NTD is 5% (that's 95% chance it won't have one). I did learn that your first degree relatives also have an increased risk so if you have sisters considering pregnancy they should take the increased folic acid dose. To SPrice, please consult a specialist, a maternal fetal medicine doctor to help you know what your risks and options are. You want the best infromation from the best people before making decisions like you have to make.

  - Mary Murry Mayoclinic.com

• March 3, 2008 9:11 a.m.

  Please do not co-sleep with your baby. All babies need to sleep on their backs, alone and in their own crib. The National Safe Sleep Campaign is trying to educate all new moms about the danger of sleep related deaths.

  - Sally

• March 2, 2008 6:05 p.m.

  I'm 29 years old I have a almost 10 month old baby boy. Right after I had him I had my tubes tied. I just found out Im 7 weeks pregnant. I also have two girls 4 and 6. I am very overwhelmed and am having a very hard time adjusting to the idea of having another baby! I am also having A LOT of morning sickness (not only in the mornings) Looking for advice and encouragement...

  - Lisa

• March 1, 2008 7:50 p.m.

  My daughter is pregnant. and her husband has cerebral palsy and is in a wheel chair. Does anyone know of a crib maker who makes cribs with sides that slide open so that someone in a wheelchair can take care of the baby? If so please write to amyjeanb@msn.com Thank you.

  - Carol, Amys' mom

• March 1, 2008 3:45 p.m.

  My last pregnany showed a neural tube defect at 12 weeks - the diagnosis was fatal. I would like to conceive again but am scared something will be wrong with the baby. I am taking 4000mg of folic acid and I know that is supposed to help. What are the chances of having a healthy baby? I already have a perfect, healthy 3 year old and genetic couseling was not reccommened after the NTD.

  - Grace

• February 29, 2008 4:49 p.m.

  Grandma--I am one of six kids and I know that I wasn't "planned." My mom will frequently say because of me and my younger sister, we managed to keep her and my dad young.

  - Julie B

• February 29, 2008 10:27 a.m.

  Thank you so much Lorinda. I will pass the information on to my daughter-in-law.

  - Becky - Southeast Kansas