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| Photo credit: Shaddy with the godmother at the park, Eleanore Fern Pagaduan |
In 2015, there were 224,938 live births in the United States to women ages 40 through 54.
754 of those live births to women 50-54 years old.
In 2014, there were only 783 live births to women over 43, using donor eggs...
Category: feature
About Catherine: I am mom to three grown sons, two grandchildren and two rescue dogs. After years of raising my boys as a single mom, I remarried a wonderful man who had never had a child of his own. Unexpectedly, I found myself pregnant at 49!
Sadly we lost our precious baby at 8 weeks, and decided to try again. Five more losses, turned down for donor egg, foster care and adoption due to my age and losses - we have accepted there will be no more babies in our house.
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I'm a 45 yr old mother of a soon-to-be 26 yr old daughter, and 23 yr old twins - a boy and a girl. My biological grandchildren range from 5 yrs down to 5 months. I was divorced for more than 20 yrs, raising the kids as a single mom. Once the nest was empty, I began to focus more on myself, and met the man of my dreams. Since we both had children and agreed we did not want more, I went to my ob/gyn to begin the process of getting a tubal ligation. The routne PAP test results came back as abnormal. In early spring, I underwent a LEEP procedure, and shortly thereafter a cone biopsy of my cervix. The results showed stage 1 cervical cancer, and a hysterectomy was added to the scheduled for November.
While waiting for the surgery date, I contacted the doctor's office, concerned that my periods had not resumed since surgery. I was assured that pregnancy was nearly impossible at my age, and I was just beginning "the change" and irregular periods were just part of it. I spent the summer enjoying life, including a very active outdorr lifestyle, an entire season playing slow pitch softball, and riding ATV's! Not exactly the activities a pregnant woman should be undertaking.
In late October, I noticed that I had gained a few pounds, my jeans were getting tight and I seemed to be more tired than usual. Then I felt that vaguely familiar fluttering feeling...could it be? No way! This wasn't what we had planned! But a home pregnancy test showed me the little pink positive sign. After an entire weekend of tears and giddly giggles with my husband, I called the doctor to tell them to postpone the hysterectomy, as I would be needing my uterus for just a while longer!
Based on my last period and ultrasound images, I was roughly 5-1/2 months along. With my age, the cervical cancer, and late pre-natal care, I opted to go to high risk obsetricians. But none of my worst fears materialized. I had a completely normal pregnancy, delivering a heathly, perfect baby boy at term. A naturally conceived pregnancy at 45 is entirely possible, my son and I are living, breathing, loving proof.
Awesome story (Anonymous Mom 45)! Congrats on your son and new hubby.
I am a 43 year old mommy to 6 children and have had a total of 9 miscarriages. I am not using contraceptives and am hoping that if I do get pregnant again that I get a baby and not another loss. I found your website very encouraging and I thank you for it. I like seeing other women that are in love with their babies, it's so sweet.
Just found out we are pregnant at 45, really can't face another loss, but have to stop worrying and try to enjoy every second, Praying it all turns out okay, Good luck to you all, baby dust to everyone! Thank you for the positive stories, they give me hope!