Bethaney Phillips is pregnant with her third son at 39, a very different experience from her first two pregnancies at 29 and 31. The baby is due two months before her 40th birthday in April.
The pregnancy was unexpected but welcome. After several miscarriages, likely linked to her bicornuate (heart-shaped) uterus, she thought her childbearing days were over.
After Several Miscarriages, a Surprise Pregnancy at 39
At five months, she is more tired and nauseous than before, her belly has grown faster, and she has had earlier acid reflux, more bathroom breaks and trouble standing up and bending over. She is usually asleep by 8:30 or 9pm, right after her sons, aged 7 and 9. Having no “fun period” in between, she went straight from constant nausea to discomfort.
Her boys now help by fetching drinks, picking things up and taking out the trash, a big change from having two children under 2.
Her doctor said 35 to 39 is a “gray area” for advanced maternal age protocols. Her insurance declined to cover recommended prenatal blood tests, but income-based discounts spared her the full $12,154 bill. The results were good. Visits will rise to weekly after 32 weeks for monitoring, and she plans to keep resting.
