I am 36 years old and really worried that my baby may have defects due to my age. I know that the chances are slim but everywhere you read there is warnings. Even if I had amnio done It would be to late to do anything if that is what me and my husband decided. What do you think? Thanks
2007-12-01 06:00:47 · 11 answers · asked by Mama T 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Leanne...thanks for your answer. If my husband and I decided NOT to have the baby because of severe defects I DON'T think that is selfish!! But I do understand you opinion.
2007-12-01 06:22:46 · update #1
Thank you all for responding. I have 2 daughters' ages 13 and 15. They are healthy. I never really worried when I was pregnant with them. I feel like if something goes wrong I will burden them. I know that is awful to say but I just can't help it. My husband sayas not to worry but I know this also concerns him. .. AHHHH Hormones :) I am a basket case....
2007-12-01 06:28:47 · update #2
I was 40 when I fell pregnant with my second child,so I know where you are coming from...I think its natural that you are going to worry about defects etc.I know I constantly worried .
It wasnt until my daughter was born that I stopped worrying about this and started worrying about all the other things that come to a mummy when they have a new born..
Best Wishes
2007-12-01 06:11:26 · answer #1 · answered by debbie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Birth defects can occur at any maternal age. There is a slightly higher incidence of some things as we age, but the risks are still pretty small overall and probably not worth worrying over too much. Plenty of women over 35 have healthy children. I'd go ahead with the amnio, just so you can have time to prepare yourselves if there is a problem.
2007-12-01 06:11:29 · answer #2 · answered by daa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My aunt was 36 when she had her first child, and she was in the same boat. Her doctor convinced her to go through with the amnio, and several other chromosomal tests, and they found some problems, and told them that the baby had a mixed chromosome, which would probably lead to some birth defect, and some developemental problems, with a chance of slight mental retardation. He basically drug them through hell for 9 months, and their little girl, who's 4 now, is one of the brightest kids I've ever seen. I don't think you should go through with the extra tests, you're right, it'd be too late to do anything about it anyways, and even if there are problems, which there's a very slight chance of, would you love your child any less because of it??
2007-12-01 06:10:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm in your boat! I'm 36 and I'll just about be 37 when I deliver--I'm only 8 weeks. I'm extremely worried, especially since I have already miscarried. I don't know what I will do about testing yet. I know I will have all the non-invasive screens and bloodwork and go from there. I know you can have CVS very early, like 10 weeks. It's a reliable way of detecting abnormalities, but has a fairly high rate of complications.
Good luck!
PS--just as everyone is saying, there is a high rate of false positives with these screening tests, so hang in there!
2007-12-01 06:11:05 · answer #4 · answered by Gator 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have an increased chance after age 35, but dont borrow trouble just yet. More than likely your baby will be happy and healthy :) Its just called being a good mommy. There will never be a time that you do not worry through your pregnancy and then its a whole new set of fears after they are born. Good luck dear.
2007-12-01 06:10:22 · answer #5 · answered by Mommy to 1+triplets 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the best thing anyone can say to you from here is try your best not to worry. i now that is sooooo easier said than done because we all, myself included, worry about whether our babies will be healthy. in your case, i know there have been plenty of women who have been well over 35 and delivered healthy "normal" babies. the odds are in your favour as more healthy babies are born than unhealthy ones.
but think about it this way: if for some reason,your baby does happen to have a defect of some kind, that would not be the ideal situation of course BUT s/he is still your baby and you will still love him/her very much. and, if the defect was too severe, your body would try to dispell the fetus.
either way, try to keep your mind off it and fantasize about holding your baby and finally meeting your little bundle of love.
best of luck and hope this helps!
2007-12-01 06:10:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are planning to love and keep the child reguardless of defects, then don't even worry about the testing. I think aborting the child because it has defects is selfish.
Because of your age, I would probably go ahead and do the bloodwork then amnio if they thought it was necessary.
Good luck and don't worry!
2007-12-01 06:06:40 · answer #7 · answered by Van is due 5/8/08! 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am worried, too, and even more after they found on the ultrasound that my baby has cysts on his brain and dilated kidneys, which can be sings of Edwards or Down syndromes. However, I am not having amnio as I know two women who lost their babies due to that test {later they found out their babies were healthy}
2007-12-01 06:21:36 · answer #8 · answered by Matahari 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get the test so you'll know what to expect and can prepare yourself and your house for it
my friend was told her baby tested positive for Downs and she read all sorts of literature and got her home prepared with what literature said would help the baby and the there was nothing wrong with the baby
she's always said she was happier to have the knowledge before hand rather than be surprised like that later and not know what to do
2007-12-01 06:12:10 · answer #9 · answered by Cindy C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dont think you have anything to worry about with your age now like say you were in your fourty maybe then even if there is a birth defect i would love it regardless good luck hope you have a healthy happy baby
2007-12-01 06:05:50 · answer #10 · answered by angelandtyler 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋