I’M PREGNANT AT 45 AFTER LOTS OF LOCKDOWN SEX Coleen says

Dear Coleen

One of the benefits of lockdown was that my husband and I had a lot more sex. However, I’ve recently done a home pregnancy test and it’s positive. I nearly fell over with shock – I assumed I was way too old to get pregnant at 45. In fact, I put the fact I was feeling unwell down to the perimenopause!

The thing is, even though we have two teenage kids and I work full time, I’m actually happy I’m pregnant. But I haven’t plucked up the courage yet to tell my husband and kids, plus I want to see my GP first, as I realise there are a lot of risks at my age.

I’d love your opinion.

Are you worried your husband will react badly? I assume he’ll be shocked, too, but he might also be delighted. The only way to find out is to bite the bullet and tell him!

Why not see your GP together and talk about the potential risks, available tests and how your pregnancy will be handled.

I think it’s important to consider not just the physical implications for you, but also the effect a newborn will have on your life as a family, so you can plan as much as possible. I’m sure you’ve forgotten the sleepless nights and everything else that comes with a new baby.

On the plus side, you have two teens who can help out and are at a stage where they’re independent and can do a lot themselves.

Often with the help of IVF, many women don’t start a family until their 40s, so you have more chance of meeting other mums at a similar stage in life. Good luck!