Trying to get pregant -Down syndrome prevention

tapatia13 · 11-12-2009, 01:23 PM

Hello,
I am trying to get pregnant at 37, first child,
I am very anxious about having a baby with Down syndrome because of my age and
with all the comments from people my moment of joy has become a constant stress

I started taking folic acid but are there any other measures I could take to prevent or reduce the risk?

thank you for your advice in advance!
Angie

WATCHOUT! · 11-17-2009, 03:13 AM

I am 37 and am thinking of getting pregnant again, I have 2 bio boys aged 13 and 11 and with our age, yours and mine..I too am concerned. One thing that is for sure is to take Folic acid which is linked to less birth defects and a good multivitamin a few months before ttc. If you are already trying...begin to take those things immediately. Obviously take care of yourself better now pre-conception...getting Mom to be in better shape BEFORE getting pregnant really does decrease at least some of the issues older Mom's experience...like high blood pressure and diabetes. Reducing stress and getting enough sleep is key too. I am sure you have heard all this before though, but just to reiterate the basic things we CAN do. In the case of Down syndrome..I too have BIG fears of that myself..but there really isn't much you can do...as we age....there is just a higher chance. :-( The only thing they do with older Moms to be is to do screenings, etc.

I can say this much...if it is your heart to go for it....do it! I can say no matter what you will love your child irregardless. For as many women DO have kids at our ages and even older..MOST have healthy babies. Good Luck and God Bless!

Cali Italiana · 11-17-2009, 03:26 AM

I think it is wonderful you want to have a baby. Don't let your fears stop you. People are having babies later all the time in life now. I was a nanny in my late teens to a family and they were in their mid 40's and this was 15 years ago. I have many friends who's parents had them in their 40's and this was 30 years ago...
I am having my first and I am not going to worried at all!! I am doing all I should and nothing I shouldn't. Controlling the stress I allow in my life, and hoping for all the good stuff!!!

You can have a blood test done to check your folate levels if you are concerned before conceiving. That will help put your mind at ease and start when you are comfortable with your levels!!

I hope this helps and best wishes to ya!!!

WATCHOUT! · 11-18-2009, 04:26 PM

For me, I have been taking Folic acid for over a year in the anticipation if we want to TTC I will be in good shape. I do worry about the babies health..but for me the reason I didn't have another after my youngest was because of MY health. I get very sick postpartum with an overactive thyroid and being untreated for years gave me a permanent heart valve issue..so with that and my age now..I am deemed very high risk. (UGH) We have even tried to adopt for the last year and had a foster son, but he no longer is with us...plus our desire is to adopt so we still wait to see if this works out. But I do believe in a few short months we will seriously try...though we have not been as careful with our birth control so It could happen. Though my DH is deemed medically sterile...YET we have our boys...strange but so true. Thanks though for the positive words...I too am a strong believer in thinking what you want to happen and being positive. Good Luck to you too.

PS. Love your user name..I myself am half Italian...so love it! God Bless!

WATCHOUT! · 11-18-2009, 04:33 PM

PS. Oh sorry I thought you Cali were the original poster..oops...so why I was responding to you...am tired...sorry...

So glad you are posting to the original poster...such positive words....all of us over 35 need to hear things like that. Too may dr's and people in general make women over 35 feel "too old" and the reality is many people ARE and HAVE had babies well into their 40's with little problems...yet hearing the negative does have more of an impact on us sometimes then the positive.