Hello

Well had a little surprise yesterday when I discovered I am pregnant with my second child and I am 42.

Firstly i wonder if anyone has used a gynecologist on the French side near Basel or could recommend one.

Anybody else out there had a kid in their 40's and wish to share their experiences? I am most concerned about increased risk of abnormalities to the fetus at this age, down syndrome etc.

I currently work for a company in Basel, been there 2.5 years and need to find out about maternity rights/benefits.

Would love to hear from any other expectant mums.

Not much help, as I'm a geezer, and can't throw light on any of the details and women's stuff, but my wife was also 42 when our 2nd was born.

No real problems that I can recall, other that she was a week or two early (but so was the 1st, 7yrs. before that); and the labour was pretty brief.

Regarding fears of abnormalities at that age, although the risk is slightly more for over 40's, the concerns are more for first pregnancies.

Regular scans and other tests keep doctor and mum-to-be on top of any possible problems.

Congratulations to the re-new mom to be! I am not in your range of age but I do remember in the Basel Child trust there are plenty of women over 40. When I joined I was surround by them.

I have a doctor in brudolholz hospital if you like, she speaks French, English, German and Italian.

Congratulations.... 42 is the new 32 so try not to stress and enjoy your baby to come

+1

We've just had another and at 37, Mrs R is classed as a "old woman" - much to her horror.

Your scores on various tests will be much lower (i.e. poorer) than for your first, but this in itself is not something to be concerned about as the biggest drivers in the calculations for abnormalities is your age in our last.

E.g. the nuchal translucency test parameters were similar for all our children and the only variable was my wife's age. Yet the risk of an abnormality was close to the limit for a recommendation for amniocentesis for our last.

My mom was 44 when she had my lil sister. She had a very good pregnancy but gave birth on week 36 or so as she started having contractions and the baby was fully developed...She is a very pretty lady now aged 22, very bright.
The only thing my mom said was that she was not as patient with her as she was with us, then again she had me

I recommend that you check if your health insurance covers gyns in France, otherwise you'd have to pay from your own money.

Congrats for your pregnancy.

I live on the french side so that's why I would do it here......

Can't help with any recommendations but congratulations!!

I agree! 42 IS the new 32! Congratulations!

I'm also expecting but haven't made it to my 40's quite yet so can't offer advice concerning that. However, I have had some issues with maternity leave/ benefits with my job. My husband and I have Protekta lawyer's insurance and it has turned out to be extremely useful when dealing with this with my employer! I live in canton Bern (on the northern border) so the rules and regulations concerning maternity leave, etc. may very well be quite different here.

When are you due? I'm due in a month or so. Should we make a play date for the future?

Congratulations!
My sister had her son 3 years ago in France when she was 42. She was in the South West of France and said they made such a big deal because of her age. She had a normal pregnancy and her son is perfectly normal, in fact, he is very bright
Another friend of mine that had a rare autoimmune condition in her late 20s, (she almost died) not only did she get pregnant "the natural way" at 42, but she just had her second at 45. She has 2 beautiful healthy girls, had perfectly normal pregnancies/deliveries and she looks fabulous.
Good luck!

Congratulations! Girl or boy?

Congratulations!

On the subject of your concern, there are pretty definitive, invasive tests that take a sample of the placenta using a small needle:
http://www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/cho...llus-sampling/

Or non-invasive statistics and measurements based tests, these are performed a little later.

http://www.fetalmedicine.com/fmc/ult.../anomaly-scan/

Hopefully knowing that these are available will let you relax and enjoy!
The above is a well respected, reasonably priced London clinic with a reputation in this area going back 20 years or so.

I am very early days about 3 weeks , So due around April.......bit of a shock. I am in a pretty new relationship 6 months, so we have to make some decisions. I had my daughter at 36 and the pregnancy wasn't the easiest, so at 42 I am a bit nervous. I am just praying that he doesn't have twins or triplets in his family .

Congratulations and bonne chance. In the early 70s when I had my two, anybody over the age of 25 was officially 'elderly Relax and enjoy

Congratulations!

I had my first and only at 42.
It was unexpected - and hard to believe at first as my boyfriend-then had checked himself and he was told that his chances of being a father were below slim...
I got recommendations for doctors and decide to choose a more old-fashion and more experienced one that was delivering at hirslanden. That was the advice I got from other mothers. I had to pay something like 1,500 sf extra for the clinic as it was not covered under my standard insurance. It was really worth it!! I also recommend if you do it - do it right!
Absolutely no problems during the pregnancy because of my age. My doctor made fun of me anytime I would mention such concerns. He ensured me that everything was under control, all the tests were great, the baby seemed perfect and I should only enjoy the whole event.
And it would have been the best time of my life if it wasn't for a mean, now ex-boyfriend.
Now, 3 years later, I would not change a thing (other than the boyfriend obviously) I am so happy and proud of this amazing creature!
Wishing you all the best!!

Congratulations... don't worry about your partners family line regarding twins, non identical twins run down the maternal line so if you don't have a history of twins in your side then the risk is lesser...although more mature ladies have a slighter higher chance of twins than say someone in their 20s as the body is more likely to release 2 eggs in a cycle. Identical twins can happen for anyone it is just one of those miracles of nature.

I am sure all will be fine I had a pretty new relationship when i had my son only 9 mths and still here 8 years later

Good luck and wish you a very healthy pregnancy xx