Suddenly pregnant - at 48!

I had been feeling tired and fatigued all the time for some time, as if I was coming down with a nasty cold. This was later compounded by a persistent feeling of fullness, and because it just wasn't getting any better, I went to my GP one morning before work. "Mrs. Peters, I'm going to refer you to the gynaecologist. I think you're pregnant," she said. I couldn't believe my ears. My gynecologist then confirmed the suspicion. I was actually ten weeks pregnant. At 48.

A late pregnancy comes as a surprise

It wasn't until two weeks later that I was able to tell my two closest friends about the late pregnancy. How could I not have realized that a child was growing inside me? Even though no one said the question out loud, it was always there. I had explained every symptom to myself: stress was to blame for the exhaustion, I had told myself for weeks. My partner Steffen and I had just moved house and I was very busy at work. The publishing house where I work as an accountant had gained a whole new division of publications, so our department was restructured and I was in charge of everything.

I hardly paid any attention to my diet back then and I didn't have time to exercise. So I wasn't surprised that my stomach was irritable from time to time and that I put on a few kilos. You know that your metabolism slows down and that the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight. Above all, I hadn't had my period for more than six months. A harbinger of the menopause. I couldn't imagine being able to get pregnant at all. I therefore no longer took the issue of contraception quite so seriously.

Steffen and I had already ruled out having children in our late 30s and were happy with our decision. And now our lives were going to take a completely different direction? At first, I found it very difficult to come to terms with this idea. And to become a mother so late in life. I imagined people shooting their mouths off. How I would pick my child up from kindergarten and everyone would think I was his grandma. How I would reach my physical and nervous limits.

I was also constantly worried about losing the baby. My pregnancy was extremely risky, my gynecologist made that very clear to me and banned me from working immediately. It was strange to stop working straight away, but it also gave me the chance to adjust to my new role as a mother in peace. I read a lot, took part in preparation courses, where I met another woman who was pregnant for the first time at 45, and very gradually Steffen and I began to look forward to our baby.

In the last trimester of my pregnancy, I suffered from high blood pressure and had to go to hospital for observation almost three weeks before the birth. This phase of my high-risk pregnancy was also characterized by anxiety - until Leonore was finally born safe and sound three months ago. Yes, a lot of people look funny because I'm her mother. The little one has turned our lives upside down and thwarted our plans for the next few years. And yet I'm over the moon that she's here and that I got pregnant so late.

Expert interview: Very late pregnancy - how dangerous is it really?

Dr. Christian Albring, President of the Professional Association of Gynaecologists and gynaecologist in Hanover, answers the most important questions on the subject of late pregnancy.

The proportion of first-time mothers over the age of 40 in Germany has remained constant at two percent for years. If a woman wishes to have children, treatment is only covered by health insurance up to her 40th birthday. It is unlikely that a woman in her mid-40s will carry a child to term without any complications.

What is the maximum time until which a natural pregnancy is possible?

"Until the follicles in the ovaries have been used up. A woman can become pregnant spontaneously up to the age of 52. However, a pregnancy at this age usually ends in a miscarriage. At the age of 45, the risk of miscarriage is 70 percent, at the age of 50 almost 90 percent."

How long should menopausal women continue to use contraception after their period has stopped?

"Until their 52nd birthday or if they have not had a period for a year and there are no other reasons for the absence of menstruation, such as medication for depression. After that, a woman can assume that she will no longer ovulate. Unfortunately, many women stop using contraception too early. In Germany, around 700 women over the age of 45 have an abortion every year because they became pregnant unplanned and unintentionally."

How do late pregnancies differ from earlier ones?

"People's bodies change as they get older: in addition to the fact that pregnancy occurs less frequently, women over 40 or 45 are more likely to be overweight and suffer from hypertension or diabetes, which is associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage or premature birth. Or they develop diabetes during pregnancy with the risk that the child will grow too large and the birth will be complicated."

What complications could arise during the birth process in this case?

"It's particularly problematic if it's the first child. The tissue of the pelvic floor is less elastic in older mothers. It is considerably stretched and also overstretched during a natural birth. In younger women, the tissue is more elastic and usually recovers well. This is more difficult for older women. Overstretching or tearing occurs more frequently, especially after a long period of childbirth, and even postnatal exercises do not heal them perfectly. This can result in persistent weakness of the bladder or bowel. This is all the more true if it is also the first child. If a woman has had children earlier, the risk of severe pelvic floor damage is significantly lower. This has been shown in recent major studies. Further complications occur if, for example, an existing high blood pressure has not been properly adjusted."

Are there late complications for mother and child in late pregnancies?

"If the pregnancy has proceeded without complications and both have survived the birth well, there are no late effects."

How dangerous is gestational diabetes in late pregnancy?

Gestational diabetes is a metabolic disorder that occurs during pregnancy. It is thought to be triggered by the change in hormone balance. The sensitivity of the cells to insulin decreases, which is why more and more of it is required. As a result, blood sugar levels can soar and the metabolism can be derailed. In principle, any pregnant woman can develop gestational diabetes, although women over 45 and with a BMI of over 30 belong to the risk groups.

Advantages of a late pregnancy

However, a late pregnancy not only has disadvantages, but despite all the risks, it also has some good things: both physically and mentally. The older women are, the healthier they generally live. They eat more consciously, smoke and drink less. Their attitude towards their bodies is much more positive than that of younger women. They are also more relaxed and therefore adjust more easily to the changes during pregnancy. The best conditions for a stable late pregnancy and an even more relaxed birth!

Late pregnancy: how long does it take to get pregnant?

According to a study by the HEFA (Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority), around 95 percent of women aged 35 become pregnant after around three years of regular intercourse. For women aged 38 and over, this only applies to 75 percent. It is therefore much more difficult to get pregnant after a certain age and for the eggs to be fertilized naturally.

Late pregnancy - tips and information on the topic

• The Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth provides advice on the internet. www.schwanger-und-viele-fragen.de
• In "Views of a late mother", Susanne Fischer, who became a mother herself at 43, shares her experiences. 14.99 euros. Hoffmann and Campe Publishers
  

Scene recreated, names changed to protect those affected