Wellness Coach Kim Abbage Hart on pregnancy over 40

▫️Wellness Coach Kim Abbage Hart (@kimabbagehart) on her first child At 44

What was your experience of being pregnant?

Overall, my pregnancy was very easy and considered normal, other than being older.

Did you have trouble conceiving?

This was a natural pregnancy. I was lucky that I did not have too much trouble conceiving for this pregnancy. My husband and I were able to conceive after two months of trying. I realize that is generally atypical for anyone over 40.

Were you worried about pregnancy over 40?

I was worried about pregnancy over 40, given a previous miscarriage just the year prior, when I was 42. My main concerns were conceiving a child without any genetic disorders and carrying to term.

Did you take any fertility tests or other fertility measures before you got pregnant?

I did take fertility tests the year prior, as my husband and I thought we would be able to use my previously frozen eggs. So current fertility testing was part of the process. It was just baseline testing they do to understand my current fertility levels.

During your pregnancy, did you take any special measures because of your age?

I did have to see both my OB and a high-risk specialist. Around 10 weeks, my high-risk doctor did a blood test that tested for any genetic disorders (trisomy defects), and then at 18 weeks, they did a full-body analysis of the embryo to ensure she was developing normally. Seeing a high-risk doctor, they do an ultrasound at every visit to ensure the pregnancy is advancing normally and potentially see any risks prior to them happening.

What was the birth like for you? Did you use a doula?

Given my daughter never turned and was breech, I ended up having to have a scheduled C-section. I didn’t use a doula.

Was there anything you wish you'd known about giving birth over 40 that you know now?

The things I learned about giving birth are more attributed to this being my first pregnancy and child, it's not specific to my age. Overall, I'm happy that I had my daughter when I did as I felt more mentally, physically and financially prepared than when I was younger. // Kim Abbage Hart via Coveteur

MALEW in your inbox, subscribe , click here

✨

MALEW in your inbox, subscribe , click here ✨