Gertie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I wondered if it might be ok to start a thread about this? Because I'm unexpectedly expecting at 37 (yes, I did know about the birds & the bees but even though...) and I'd love to hear others experiences of expecting & being a mummy or just have a chat with others in the same situation! I'm looking forward to starting my leave (in 3 weeks time). We have collected various bits of equipment. Creating a bedroom is well underway. I'm trying to read the 'good news book' as a friend put it, without freaking myself out too much!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Congratulations, how exciting. Sorry no advice, had my kids in my twenties. Is this your first baby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Congratulations,I would have thought that you won't be alone, and there is always a wealth of advice on here on all sorts of topics. From my experience of birth, just relax, listen to your body and go with the flow. The more tense that you are the more it hurts, take a couple of relaxation classes if you haven't already. And for parenting follow your instincts, don't shout, but be firm on the things that matter to you the most. Most of all look after yourself, sleep when you can and enjoy the experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Firstly CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS! Such wonderful news I don't have any advice as I had my three in my mid to late twenties. My friend however had her first 3 years ago when she was 40. She is young at heart so didn't find things too bad. Rest as much as possible. Eat sensibly. And just enjoy it all as it does go past so very fast. Well, maybe not the labour. Though some women do seem rather positive by it all. Not me though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Enjoy it; you won't be able to go to the loo on your own for the next 5 years Couperwife is also expecting. I have my DD at 35, seems an age ago now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Congratulations! Yes, im also expecting! And it must be the wrigglyest baby in the world Im due on 3rd april. I finish work on 7th march. When are you expecting your bundle? Cathy X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Congrats to you youngsters hope all goes well. The next patter of tiny feet I will hear is some new chucks. Hopefully grand kids are a while away - my 2 are 18 and 12 so I hope so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Great news.....keep us posted! My two are now 6 and 9 - ES was born three weeks before my 40th birthday (the best birthday present I got was four consecutive hours sleep!! ) and YS arrived when I was 43 1/2 Go with the flow/trust your instincts/be firm with those who don't or won't listen to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Oooh didn't know Cathy! Congrats. And congrats to Gertie. My neighbour had her 2 boys when young and thought she was well past having children when she found she was expecting again at 46! Daughter has now passed her driving test and makes me feel old!!! Yep, rest a little, play a little and eat sensibly. Enjoy the pampering. And do your pelvic floor muscle exercises or it'll be crossing of legs every time you cough or laugh or sneeze! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I was 33 when I had ES, and 36 with DD, so yep, done that!! It's like falling off a log.. But.... It's great, as you have the patience of years to fall back on, and aren't so swayed by the latest missive form expert.. Enjoy your babies, I did!! Have to say am not enjoying 18 yr old teen boy Quite as nuch at the moment!! But its all a No box, no instructions sort of thing, as I have never had to deal with a teenage boy before, and he hasn't either!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Shirl Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Cathy Congratulations to you both.. I Enjoyed the whole experience from start to finish. I now have five grandchildren so it's not over yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbug Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Cathy Congratulations to you both.. I Enjoyed the whole experience from start to finish. I now have five grandchildren so it's not over yet. definitely never over when you start a family I have 3 children 2 grandchildren and another grandchild on the way in due in October Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Wow, thank you everyone for the replies! Definitely the first baby, & congratulations Couperwife too! Not long to wait. How are you managing at work? I have exactly zero experience of babies! I do have lots of experience of 3-8 year olds being a teacher, but that won't be a great deal of help for the first bit! I'm taking maternity leave as soon as I can (11 weeks in advance of due date). I've decided I would like to have a relaxed build up to the big day. They have predicted 31st May, but I've also been told they rarely come when predicted! I've signed up for NCT course which starts in March. I've also looked into yoga and water exercise classes (anyone done these?). Thank you for sharing with me, its encouraging to hear about those who've chosen to start families a bit older as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Top tips.... Try to get in some practice with other folks' babies Stock up on sleep Get all those jobs done that you've been meaning to do - there won't be time when the baby comes Ditto any beauty routines you might have (see point above) Get a couple of days away, just the OH and you; unless you have practical, hands on parents yourselves, it may be your last 'couple time' together for a while. Work on your sense of humour; you will need it at 5am with less than 2 hours sleep behind you. Only joking! enjoy it and go with the flow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 And a sou'wester and oilskins when you get to the proper food stage. It gets everywhere! Unless of course you have a child that knows where it's mouth is (like DD) and is a stubborn little spoon grabber. Then you feed them all the good stuff only to have them frequent Maccy D's and scoff Pot Noodles like there's no tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Oooh and the first one is disinfect this that and everything else and when they start to lick the carpet you give up. The second one you don't bother to disinfect anything - what doesn't fatten will fill and heck it builds up the immune system. Well that's what you tell yourself. Then they go to nursery school and decorate biscuits with coloured icing. Well supposed to and then when they go to the loo the following day you panic because of the bright emerald green poo that they have produced - and then you remember. And the accidents that happen while you are sitting on the loo and they run past laughing at you and bounce off the door jam. Oh the trips to A & E and then you wonder if they are looking at you as if you are a terrible mother! And no climbing on the armchair - and OH and son have a balloon fight and son climbs on chair for a better height, falls off and catches head on baby monitor - oh the blood! Another trip to A&E with hubby panicking and driving like a maniac to get there with you sitting in the back with a towel pressed up to son's head to stop the bleeding, baby DD is whingeing because she wants food . . . and it's a tiny little graze! Start building up your first aid kit - you can never have enough!!! Big pads, small pads, bandages, steri-strips, magnesium sulphate . . . And by the end of it all you are a super nurse, super mum, super nightmare chaser awayer, super everything - including super teller offer! None of us start off knowing what we are doing - it is all a learning curve as you go along and there's always something to test you. Some times it's a smooth ride, other times it's as bumpy rollercoaster. But by the time you are a granny you know everything and leave the stressy part to your grown up children while smirking. I would like to get to that smirking bit and the spoiling bit but not in any hurry yet - want mine to move out first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 The Omlet aunties sill expect photos, especially of chubby little feet and starfish hands. And we'll always be here to dispense advice, and not judge... we've all been there What doesn't kill you makes you stronger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Actually, all you need is This Essential Guide to having a baby http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2218515/Think-ready-children-Hilarious-new-parent-test-taking-mummy-blogs-storm-MIGHT-just-off.html Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 its not just babies and toddlers who like watching you on the loo - my cats do too - so nothings changed for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Thank you Valkyrie for your insights! I'm not too worried about excessive hygiene other than when feeding - I fight a losing battle with a coal fire, 3 cats & chooks! The baby clothes I have been given are all white - that should be fun trying to keep them not grey!! I read the dailymail article - funny but I hope it won't be that bad!! I'm good a tuning out background noise & disturbances! I had a practice with a friends 2 month old baby. Going back in a few weeks to bathe & dress him. Oh yeah, and I know what you mean about cats and the loo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Don't worry about the clothes - they grow out of them before you can say Jack Robinson! You'll be fine. Enjoy because they grow up all too quick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 22, 2014 Share Posted February 22, 2014 Oh how lovely Gertie & coupler wife I had mine at 19 21 25 32 After two it doesn't seem to make much difference youngest is now 21 Rest and sleep grab it whenever you can take any offers of help with cooking washing or anything really I found the broken sleep the worst I'm not good with broken sleep. "Ooops, word censored!"ody expects you to have a new baby and a perfect house so just put yourself and baby first and enjoy every minute they seriously do grow up in a flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Congratulations.Definately if you have chance go to ante natal yoga / swim classes,it is a great way to meet others at the same stage as you in your area.These then may become good friends who you can meet up with,who don't mind baby sick etc etc and whom you can then go to the post natal groups with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted February 24, 2014 Author Share Posted February 24, 2014 Keyhole Kate - Wow, that's amazing having children over quite a long period of time! Was the experience very different in your teens to thirties? I wonder if I'm more tired or not than younger folk! Grandmashazzie, I've signed up for NCT classes and am looking into yoga, I'd like to do aqua aerobics type thing as well but don't know if i'll get into the class! I've bought a bathing suit just in case. Only got 14 days left at work...not that I'm counting or anything!!! I can see my coffee cup bounce now if I balance it on my belly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I can't lie I didn't have the energy at 32 that I had at nineteen but then again I didn't have three other children to feed & pick up after at 19 either On the upside though I did have three very willing helpers both DDs and DS were besotted with their sister until she was about 2 and then she was a nuisance But as this is your first you won't have anyone but you and baby to take care of so just take each day as it comes enjoy every minute and take any help offered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
