is it wise to have a baby at 41!!!

milkfloatquack

I agree with other posters about looking into other forms of contraception with the family planning clinic. Be careful once you stop the depo, although it's common for your fertility not to return immediately, it doesn't happen to everyone - I know a young lass that got PG whilst on the depo, and another lady who was PG (planned!) a few months after her last jab.

Lillibet_2

A few things have popped into my mind.

Firstly, if you are unsure about being sterilised for any reason, then I don't think it is wise to do it. It is a FINAL step.

If invasive contraception is a problem, have you considered condoms? I know they aren't the most romantic option & men grumble about them, but they (pretty much) do the job (and in your case if they failed then it doesn't sound like it would be the worst thing in the world), and they don't have any side effects.

If you do decide you want another child then go for it, but given your history I do think you need to consider whow you would cope with a special needs child.

Finally, my neighbour had a child at 44, 21 years after her 1st child. Due to a history of Downs syndrome in both families she was convinced she was going to have a Downs baby, but decided against additional testing & went ahead (pregnancy was a "suprise"). She now+ has a beautiful flourishing 15 month old, no signs of any special needs at all & copes brilliantly with all the sleepless nights, demands on her time etc but did spend 2 weeks in hospital following the birth as it took her a much longer time to recover from a C-section than normal. I know that everyone is different but thought you might like to hear a positive story after all the possible problems!

grey_lady

I was so pleased to read Gertie's response, it seemed like everyone who posted prior to that was very down on the OP's considering another baby.

I'd like to point out that prior to the pill (60's) and sterilisation and modern contraceptive methods etc there werent that many alternatives :-)

My grandmother and both my great great grandmothers all had a couple of healthy children in their 40's. There seems to be a lot of scaremongering about how old is to old etc which couldnt have been an issue in their day!!!

Whatever you decide to do, i hope that your happy with your decision and have no regrets.