Re: NEW TO BOARD

[Guest guest]

COlleen,

I was 28 and weighed 315# my first pregnancy. I was 37 when my post

WLS baby was delivered and weighed 147# less. Let me tell you, the pre

GBP preg/delivery was a BREZZZZZZZZZE compared to have one at a

slimmer wieght but having nearly 10 more years added on to me.

I think since this is your first, you won't have anything else to

compare it to and that you should go for it.

My hubby wants more now (UUUGGGGGGGGGGG!), but I'm sticking to my guns

(and infertility diagnose as excuses!)

Best wishes whatever you decide. Being over 35 they will

offer/suggest/encourage additional prenatal testing to check for many

things, biggest of all being a chromosomal disorder such as Down

Syndrome or anencephaly, or spina bifida.

BEFORE you decide to get preg, spend plenty of time reading as much of

the information these poeple in here have posted about.

I wish you the most joyous pg if you decide to go that route!

:)Sheila

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

We've had a few folks here in your position. Obviously, there are no

guarantees that

anyone will have a healthy baby, but health care today has already

begun to gear toward

women who've put off having kids until later. You probably DO have

plenty to give, and

there's no reason why you shouldn't give it a try. It's a little bit

like the whole

" normal " argument that you hear on Planet OSSG from time to time --

and here as well

-- do we post-WLSers treat ourselves as " normal " individuals, and

what is " normal "

anyway?

I'd think that the only risk you have against you at this point is

that your fertility

begins to decline after 40 and it can be harder to become pregnant.

Better get started

tonight. [grin]

-Kris

Come read my new blog, <a href= " http://gradualdazz

le.blogspot.com " >Anywhere But

Here</a>

[Guest guest]

>

>

> Hi all. I'm almost 3 years out from surgery and lost 135 pounds.

> I'm feeling great, maintaining my weight loss within 5 lbs and all

> blood tests reveal I'm healthy. I feel fabulous. My question to

> all of you is I'm in my 40's and thinking of becoming pregnant. I

> will consult my OBGYN before I do anything but wondering how you all

> feel of the safety of a 40+ year old woman considering her 1st child.

>

Hi Colleen!

My name is Colleen as well, and am 38 and 28 weeks pregnant with my

first child. I am only 18 months post-op and got pregnant at my 1

year anniversary. I didn't make it to my goal, I lost 130 lbs and

another few during my pregnancy, and still have 50-80 to go but I

didn't want to have to try and get pregnant past 40 and since I'd had

miscarriages and infertility issues pre-op I wanted to leave myself a

few years to make it happen. Lo and behold we took the after just

barely trying with an ovulation monitor. I had psyched myself up to

have to try for a couple years. I know going in that close to 40 or a

few years past 40 there are higher risks, but I know my life isn't

complete without a child. Can I be happy? sure! but being a mother

was very important to me. I think if you go in knowing the risks (I

think the odds of a baby with birth defects is maybe 1 in 200 for a 40

yr old but don't quote me on that) and are prepared to deal with the

possibilities then you are the one to decide if you could deal with

having to either terminate a child with defects or raise a child born

with those problems. You'd also be at risk for health issues

yourself. If you have a supportive doctor who can monitor you closely

to reduce any risks reducible, then I would say go for it, but be sure

in your mind that you can recover emotionally from whatever outcomes

the higher risks present.

I was overjoyed when our 24 week ultrasouns showed a perfect healthy

boy. There may still be some complications between now and the birth,

but so far we are having our dream come true.

Either way I wish you all the luck and best.

Colleen S.

open RNY 5-9-03

361/231/160 (after delivery)

due 1-23-05