I am 45 & pregnant, 7w along

My husband and I will be married 22 years in August, and we have 8 lovely children, ages 20 down to 19 months. I had a miscarriage in September 2000 - had to have a D&E [Dilation and evacuation] - and a miscarriage in October 2006.

I am 45 and pregnant (celebrated my 45th birthday in Feb.) - 7 weeks along, I figure I am due October 27, 2007.

My first blood test (to confirm my pregnancy) - numbers were fine.

Second blood test (last Monday) - HCG [Human chorionic gonadotropin] level OK, but progesterone is low - should be 15, but is 6. So, I am on progesterone supplements, and get more bloodwork this Wednesday.

The waiting is very tough, so I hope to be on the board when I can - our computer is well-used!!!

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My Chinese acupuncturist told me about 7-year stage. He says that in TCM [traditional chinese medicine], the belief is that women are fertile and can be healthy bearing a child until they reach 7x7, or 49.

I also know of some women who have delivered healthy children into their 50's, though I know it's rare.

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I was so embarrassed about my age when I was pregnant, I routinely lied about it. Except I got mixed up, and forgot who I told what to.

Once when I was out with my husband a strange woman came up to me and said, "How old ARE you?" I lied and told her 44. I was really 48. She was shocked and I was mortified.

After my son was born happy and beautiful, I began to relax about my age. Now I tell the truth, but I still try to avoid the age conversation.

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One of my 44 year old moms shared the news of her pregnancy to her oldest child yesterday. He is 25 and about to get married. He wanted to know how she could do this to him and ruin his life.

My client told him she felt the same way, when at 19 she learned she was pregnant with him but she was so glad that she did have him.

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I had never been pregnant and after trying for a year, age 43, we did two rounds of IVF [in vitro fertilization] when I was 44. Neither of these worked even though I had good embryos on first round.

My acupuncturist who is a trained Chinese herbalist persuaded me to try the vile herbs. After 5 months, I fell pregnant naturally (also did yoga and used PreSeed) with my darling daughter Amber who was born 9 days after my 46th birthday in November 2006.

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Category: 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50