Warning to older women

[DMB]

There's been a lot in the media telling women to get on with having a baby while they can, because of declining fertility with age. BUt it would seem that some of that propaganda has had an opposite effect of making older women think they don't need contraception when they do.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8503726.stm

Abortion rates for women aged 40 to 44 match those for the under 16s, figures for England and Wales show...

...women should realise it is entirely conceivable that just one night of unprotected sex in your late 30s, 40s and even 50s can end in an unplanned pregnancy.

"Our helpline receives calls from such women, shocked this has happened to them.

"They thought their age would protect them from becoming pregnant."...

...Emily James of Marie Stopes International said: "Many older women facing an unplanned pregnancy are completely shocked to find themselves in this position - many assume that their irregular periods are due to menopause, and are surprised to learn that they are in fact pregnant.

[Faerie]

Fun. I'd dissolve into a blob of jelly if I found myself pregnant now. Histerics would be at the order of the day. I hated being pregnant and to find myself in that position 18 years on after the first one would be akin to the horsemen saddling up for a joyride into armageddon.

[DMB]

Make sure you can get hold of morning-after pills in a hurry!

[Lugubert]

For not only those of you elderly ladies, consider the fairly new finds that the offspring of older men might be more liable to have psychiatric problems.

It's not only an increase in Down's frequency with the mother's age.

http://www.mothers35plus.co.uk/older-fathers.htm

[Notta]

TMI warning;
I had a pre-op surgical appointment today. The intake nurse said, "You don't still get your periods at your age, do you." (I'm 53.) I said, "I sure do!" Her mouth literally dropped open. She said, "You DO?! Are you SURE??" (Like I would make a mistake like that.) I said, "Unfortunately, I'm sure."

So now I have to undergo a pregnancy test the morning of the surgery. What are the odds I'd be pregnant? It's ridiculous - both still having periods AND having to have a pregnancy test at my age.

[Free in Freeport]

Diapers and retirement in the same decade? I don't frickin think so!

[kazzaqld]

50s!!!! OMG

Guess I'm gonna have to be careful for a while yet! :cool:

[Notta]

Must have something to do with better nutrition: women start earlier and end later.

[Josie]

Losing a lot of weight can also lead to unexpected pregnancy. Lose 20 pounds, you will be fine, but if you are in the have to lose 50-100 pounds range, use some birth control. Apparently losing that much weight messes up your hormone levels for a while, and you get super fertile.

[Pandora]

Losing a lot of weight can also lead to unexpected pregnancy. Lose 20 pounds, you will be fine, but if you are in the have to lose 50-100 pounds range, use some birth control. Apparently losing that much weight messes up your hormone levels for a while, and you get super fertile.

Holy cow. That's something I didn't know. I wonder if I can use that as an excuse to get out of exercising and eating right?

[Loren Pechtel]

TMI warning;
I had a pre-op surgical appointment today. The intake nurse said, "You don't still get your periods at your age, do you." (I'm 53.) I said, "I sure do!" Her mouth literally dropped open. She said, "You DO?! Are you SURE??" (Like I would make a mistake like that.) I said, "Unfortunately, I'm sure."

So now I have to undergo a pregnancy test the morning of the surgery. What are the odds I'd be pregnant? It's ridiculous - both still having periods AND having to have a pregnancy test at my age.

Yeah, IIRC my wife went to age 52, although they were erratic at that point.

[Josie]

Women who have the weight-loss surgeries are usually warned about this, but if you lose weight on your own, you find out the hard way, or by talking with other women who have lost a large amount.

Go ahead and lose the weight, it's also good for your sex drive. :D And if you are having more regular sex, you will remember the birth control.

[Bane]

Well, perhaps insisting on a dobber until it's been proven without reasonable doubt that you can't have (more) kids is a good idea anyway......

[Rie]

I conceived when in my middle 40s.
I wasn't the same gullible little girl who first stupidly decided to marry and I went into a terrible state of anxiety and depression and had to abort the baby.
But, I have wanted to say this for a long time, the 'whitecoat' who brought the ultrasound up and I started crying said "Don't be so selfish woman" and I said that I wasn't crying for me but for the baby.
I don't think male doctors 'get' women.

[Flick Flack Fluck]

I've heard of similar amount of empathy from female midwives and nurses, too. Unless you are brimming with happy-happy--joy-joy about the pregnancy, they haven't a clue what to do with you except dismiss you as selfish.

[openeyes]

My current relationship began when I was 48 1/2. Unlike many guys his age, my S.O. hasn't had "fertility controlling surgery". I actually forgot about birth control initially, but didn't get pregnant and figured I was safe at my age. When I mentioned to my gynecologist that I wasn't using birth control, she look at me coolly and asked if I wanted to get pregnant. I certainly did not, so she put me back on the pill. Three years later, I really don't think I'm fertile, but I'm still taking them as more of a hormonal replacement then anything else.

[Haswell]

My missus is 55 and she still acts like Attila the Hun once every month.

[Rie]

I always wanted sex when I was supposedly not at a time when I would conceive.