My name is Jennifer and yes, I am 46 years old. I am the mother to 3 boys, 27, 20 and 4. My 2nd husband and I married 6 years ago and were eager to start a family together as he no children and I always wanted more, especially a girl. I was 40 and he is 4 years older so we were not sure what to expect. I had gotten pregnant easily with my first 2, but I was MUCH younger!

We started trying soon after we got married and after 9 months of no luck, sought fertility work up and treatment. A few months later we did IUI and got pregnant immediately. We found out during our nuchal u/s that the baby had died at 9 weeks. We were devastated. We began trying immediately as ok'd by my doctor and got pregnant 2 months later. We used a method I found online on a miscarriage support website, called sperm meets egg. Basically doing ovulation testing, taking robitussin during fertile period, etc. 9 months after that I gave birth to a full term, beautiful baby boy Luke at 42 years of age. We honestly felt at that point, that we were so blessed to have Luke and so content with that miracle that we figured that was it. We were open to having more but knew we weren't going to try like that again with our age and Luke was born with a cleft palate (not age related), and required surgery and lots of specialists and follow up, so we had our hands full.

I think maybe when Luke was 15 months, I found out I was pregnant. I was shocked! Not trying,not planning. I miscarried at 8 weeks after suffering from swine flu and never finding the baby's heartbeat. Then, March a year and a half ago, I had another positive pregnancy test. Shocked again! This time baby did have heartbeat and looked great during our 8 week ultrasound. Unfortunately at the nuchal ultrasound, our baby was found to have a cystic hygroma which carries a 95% mortality rate. We were devastated again, but did not terminate as recommended. I checked that baby's heart tones 2x/day and was sent to a specialist who told me we could do an amnio at 15 weeks to see what chromosomal/genetic abnormality this baby had, as this was most likely the cause of the cystic hygroma. The baby did not make it to 15 weeks. The baby died at 14 weeks on Mother's Day and my son's 3rd birthday. I had a D&E 6 days later and unfortunately they were unable to grow the cells so we never found out the sex nor the chromosomal abnormality. So sad! We had seen this baby kicking and moving and heart beating on the ultrasound.

So after that, I was done mentally. I said to my husband I can't go through that again. We did not use birth control as it is not in alliance with my faith practices and we figured again with our ages, it would be highly unlikely.

Well, guess what, God always has surprises for us, especially when we least expect them. In January I missed my period, and took a 99 cent store pregancy test the next day. POSITIVE! SHOCKED! again! This time, I lived basically in fear. Certainly I would miscarry, I'm 45, my risks are 50 to 75% to miscarry. If I don't miscarry, then certainly something would be very wrong. I have a lot of faith, and I prayed a lot, but I was really, really scared. and I was really, really sick. We went for our first appointment for 8 week ultrasound, (I had aleady found the baby's heart beat at home at 7 weeks so I knew there was a live baby in there). Low and behold, and perfect baby appeared, even slight wiggling of leg buds noted, paddling away. Then the 12 week, perfect! My doctor said to me, "I think this is going to be your miracle baby". Same doc who had gotten me through all the prior. So probably 18 weeks or more of horrible morning sickness, sickest I've ever been, from minute I opened my eyes in am till passed out at night, horrible nausea and fatigue, beyone measure and working part time as a nurse and not sharing with ANYONE! What would they think? Pregnant again and at 46! I spent more time worrying about that, I have no idea why. The insomnia was horrific, wake up to pee and my mind would just start spinning with thoughts. So, bottom line, at 18 weeks, 2 days, had our anatomy ultrasound. PERFECT and a GIRL! I've waiting 46 years for a girl in my life. 4 brothers, and 3 sons! What a blessing and EVERYTHING looked wonderful. No markers for Down's and I did do the MaterniT21 blood test that was negative for Down's, 99.1%. We would have accepted this baby any way she is, any issues, but I prayed for a healthy child. At this time, I am almost 23 weeks. This girl is so ACTIVE, feeling her fluttering in 15 week and at this point can see her moving from outside my stomach, she is STRONG. I'm still in shock honestly. I have read statistics like it's a .1% chance of getting pregnant this age after trying for a year. I know this baby is a gift from God and a true miracle. I am more calm, more relaxed now, but still worry. I feel good but my belly is getting pretty big already. I have had 3 full term, vaginal deliveries, and hope to have my 4th without issues. I am trying to take care of myself. My boys are thrilled and my little one rubs my belly and tells me he wants to rub his sister cause she likes it. So sweet!