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• 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

• February 29, 2008 10:01 a.m.

  iam 23 year old i used to take contraceptive pill i.e famillon tab, i stopped taking since 1 month i want to concive.but i want to know till when i have to wait for conciving and is there any danger if i concive now.

  - riya

• February 28, 2008 3:49 p.m.

  Bonnie - has your doctor put you on progesterone? with your history, you may have miscarried because your body wasn't producing enough for you and the baby. this is sometimes not accurately diagnosed by blood draw (saliva testing is better) but I would not take any chances. Your body has to produce ofr you both until the 2nd trimester when the placenta begins to produce for the baby.

  - angie

• February 28, 2008 2:44 p.m.

  To Becky in Kansas - My daughter-in-law was also diagnosed with placenta previa and went to the hospital with bleeding. Her doctor ordered bedrest and scheduled a c-section for the 35th week. She went back to get admitted to the hospital for the C-section and the Dr. told her that her previa was gone and she could go home and wait to go into labor. She is fine and we are still waiting. The rest really worked and she didn't actually have to stay in bed just off her feet. She worked from home on a laptop computer. Good luck and God bless.

  - Lorinda

• February 28, 2008 11:53 a.m.

  Glad to see a blog like this from Mayo! My co-blogger Kay Krhin and I write a new parents' blog www.startribune.com/cribsheet at the Star Tribune and are always looking for discussions like this to link to. Good luck! May

  - Chen May Yee

• February 28, 2008 10:19 a.m.

  Ohh, Ms. Mary you are so great! I promise she is the best midwife! I happen to be one of her patients! Thanks to Mary we had a healthy little girl...Mary is very knowledgeable! You Go Mary! Great first Blog.

  - A. Hansen

• February 28, 2008 8:48 a.m.

  I am 29 and my husband and I are trying to start a family. For the past year I have suffered from Chronic Tension Headaches (stable). It has caused both depression and anxiety which I am currently be treated for by my doctor. I am a little nervous as I will have to be taken off some of my medication. I am just curious if others have experienced the condition I have and becoming a new parent.

  - B. Stanford

• February 28, 2008 3:19 a.m.

  I am going to have third baby.I am 41 and my wife is 36. She is 32 week now. She feel he body is extremely heating/hot compare to the prevoius one. Is this normal.

  - D.Mariadass

• February 28, 2008 12:21 a.m.

  My wife is also pregnant with second baby and has been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. She is in her 35th week and has fasting sugar level up to 140 mg/dl and RBS above 180 mg/dl. She was hospitalized last night for observation. So far the baby is fine, but what, if anything, can be done to reduce these occurrances? As far as I know, her doctor has advised her to control sugar by by taking sugar free diet told her to avoid wheat flour take diet bread. Previously, she delivered a baby of complete term of 40 weeks. Due to long labour of six hours, the feotal heart distress and baby inhalled mechonium, the doctor decided C-section. Due to this my last baby developed respiratory problem and kept in ventilator for 24 days. The condition of my wife is same, as was for previous pregnancy. It is serious?Please help.

  - Muhammad

• February 27, 2008 9:44 p.m.

  Grandma: The same thing happen to my sister, she had 2 kids, was done with having children (they youngest was 4) so she was just getting to the easier stage of children when she found out she was pregnant. She was not happy, as this was the least she expected, she felt guilty for not being happy, but in time she became attached in the pregnancy and is very close to all three children. She will feel the joy, just going to take some time, best advice is to listen... and be there.

  - Holly

• February 27, 2008 8:47 p.m.

  I am nearly 39 and I am expecting my 5 baby. It will also be my 5th c-section. I wonder if anyone else has had this many c-sections.

  - Julie B

• February 27, 2008 8:46 p.m.

  I read some previous posters assuming that late 30's is too old. It's not!! I'm glad to say that I had my first baby at 40 and now a second pregnancy (8 wks) at 43. I also have two friends (40 and 42) that are currently pregnant also...and all the pregnancies are natural.

  - Kate

• February 27, 2008 6:55 p.m.

  my nearly 39 year old daughter and 40 year old son in law are 3 mo. pregnant with an unplanned child. They have a 3 year old that took a long time to conceive. They are not handling this pregancy very well and my daughter says she doesn't feel the joy she felt the first time and feels "disconntected." I am excited to be having a new grandchild, but heartbroken that they are so upset. How do I deal with all of this?

  - grandma

• February 27, 2008 2:49 p.m.

  Patricia, as i said in an earlier post that I am nearly 39 and trying for the first time. My dr did warn me that I am running out of time, but because I am healthly otherwise and have taken care of my self that I could safely have children through age 43ish. Then I may be getting into some trouble, but there are many women out there who are having children later in life. There was a post from a woman in her second marriage who is 48. Where did her blog go?

  - Paula - NNY

• February 27, 2008 1:51 p.m.

  It's been fun reading your posts! I'm excited to read encourging words from many of you. I'm 37 and feel like it's too late for me to have a baby. I'm scared of having an unhealthy baby. Am I being selfish?? Wish I wasn't so worried about every little thing. Anyone on the same page with me? Does anyone have advice they'd like to share?

  - Patricia

• February 27, 2008 1:50 p.m.

  Has anyone had to take progesterone during their pregnancy? My daughter had one miscarriage and now is pregnant again. They put her on progesterone and now her levels are fluctuating. The doctor says she is out of danger of another miscarriage but she still worries...

  - Sue