Fourteen has always been my favorite and “lucky” number. The reason for this is that I was born on the 14th, so I’ve always held a fondness for that number. So even after five miscarriages in a row, it shouldn’t surprise me that THIS pregnancy held. Because, after all, it’s my 14th pregnancy. Lucky. And at the age of 43, I do consider myself very lucky that I am blessed with another pregnancy. I thought my fertile years were behind me, but surprise! Turns out they weren’t. One more pregnancy.
Lucky #14.
I’ve always had easy pregnancies. So far this one is no different than all the rest. And I’ve always had BIG babies. My smallest baby was born at 8 pounds 1 ounce, and my largest was born at 10 pounds 7 ounces. I expect this little guy to be no less than 8 pounds and no more than 10 pounds 7 ounces. But maybe I’ll have an 11 pounder, or a 7 pounder. I mean, you just never know.
My last 3 babies were born at home. After a while, I just got tired of going to the hospital. I wanted to try something different. I no longer wanted a doctor delivering our babies; I wanted my husband to deliver our babies! But of course a hospital wouldn’t allow that, so with our #7 we just decided to do it at home. So we hired a midwife to oversee everything, and that birth went so well, we decided to do it again for the next one and the next one.
And this one! If all goes as expected, we will deliver this little guy at home, too. In water. My home births were all water births. They were so much fun. (yes, FUN…hard to believe, I know. But they were!) So if all goes well, this little guy will be born in water, too.
I say, “If all goes well” because you just never know. First of all, my last labor was only 1 hour and 45 minutes from start to finish, and we barely had time to fill up the birthing pool. So if this one comes even quicker, maybe we won’t have a water birth. Maybe there will be no time for that. No birth is ever guaranteed on how it will go, so that’s why I say, “If all goes well.” Maybe this baby will be breech and I’ll need a c-section? I hope not, but hey, you just never know. Things happen.
I was pregnant for the first time at age 23, and here I am pregnant at age 43. I’ve taken so many home pregnancy tests during those years. Twenty years of peeing on sticks, with fourteen of those tests showing a “positive” sign. Twenty years of pregnancies and nursing a baby. Twenty years of diaper changes and potty training.
Twenty years.
Of course I don’t have to tell you all that I LOVE this — I love every single second of it. (well, maybe not the first few weeks of morning sickness, but all the rest of it!)
And I’d do it again and again, if it weren’t for my age. Yep, I’m getting older. And with that comes old and unhealthy eggs. And with that comes miscarriages. And the truth is, I just don’t want any more losses. I want to end my fertility on a positive.
So this baby will be our last, and I’m not so sad about that. At least, not yet. I’m sure I will be later on. But for now, I feel pretty okay with it. In fact, ending it on my lucky #14 almost feels like it was meant to be.
I’m guessing you have a set of twins? Otherwise…I count 15 pregnancies (9 kids + 5 miscarriages + baby on the way = 15 right?). I guess I’m missing something?
BTW – I think your children are beautiful and you look amazing!
Kelly
My oldest is my stepson, so this is my 14th pregnancy. I always wanted twins, though;)
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You look beautiful! Very excited for you
You said “old and unhealthy eggs” so does that mean that your baby boy could be unhealthy or will he be healthy because he didn’t end up being a miscarriage? Do the unhealthy eggs always end up being miscarriages or can women end up having disabled children mainly because of the unhealthy egg? I know downs syndrome is a risk but that usually is detected and that can happen to younger moms too. It seems like so many woman are having kids well into their 40’s now and they seem to be having healthy babies…. Congrats on your newest addition, you seem like a really great person.
My baby boy seems to be healthy, all the tests say he is. But hey, you never know. The fact that he didn’t end up being a miscarriage is a good sign, sure, but anything can happen. You know, even when you give birth to a healthy baby, that is not a guarantee that your child will remain healthy. I had one who was perfect in every way until the age of four when a car accident that resulted in a brain injury altered the course of her life. As far as other moms over 40 having healthy babies, that can happen naturally (as in my case) or many are now having IVF where they can tell which embryos are healthy and they only implant the healthy ones. Science can do that.
Hallie Berry is 46 and will be 47 when her baby arrives. In fact it seems like most of hollywood is having kids in their late 30’s and early 40’s. Even Kelly Preston had her last one at 48 years old. In reading about this subject online, it seems that a lot of women in their mid 40’s and even older are having kids. I know you said your done now, but a lot of people are having kids into their 40’s, you could probably fit one more in if you wanted. Congratulations of your baby, and you look like your in your early 30’s.
Do you have an email address? I wanted to get your opinion on my situation, but I don’t want to write it publicly since you have so many visitors.
mommy10times@aol.com
That’s amazing about LUCKY # 14!!!! I will be wishing you WELL all the way from up here : ) : ) I can’t wait!!
I think you look GREAT by the way!!
Awww…thank you:)
Going to pray for an easy delivery for you.
Even though you are closing up shop, I see many more babies in your future.
babies…as in grandchildren? Yeah, there will probably be A LOT of those!
I’m glad that you’re ending new motherhood on such a positive note with thinking of how much 14 means to you. I’m glad that you’re able to bring another life into the world, that the pregnancy is going as smoothly as the others, that you’re trying for a home birth again. I’m glad about it all and happy for you and wish you the best.
So sweet – thank you