Concerns

I had WLS in 2006, have managed to keep most of the weight off (I currently weigh about 138, was divorced in 2009 and recently remarried (YEA!).  My new husband and I both have only one child each (we each have a daughter, and they are each 23).  We love our daughters very much and his daughter has blessed him with two grandchildren.  I never wanted to have more children with my former husband--he didn't want the child we had, didn't help with her when she was a baby, and even told me that if I became pregnant again, he would divorce me.  My new husband's former wife gave him a set of twins but she was an alcoholic and they died soon after birth.

My question is this, I know there are risks to pregnancy after WLS but mine are compounded by the fact that I am 46 years old.  Thing is, since my daughter was born, this is the first time I have really wanted to have another child and I would love to have the opportunity to give my husband a son.  Yes, I know, the odds of having a son are 50/50 but even having another daughter with him would be wonderful.

 I'm looking for a realistic (not religious or emotional) answer to the question of how risky would getting pregnant at this stage in my life be?  What are the odds of Down's Syndrome??  Are the odds greater with WLS????

I have wonderful health insurance so that is not a problem...

Risks for problems with you and baby are substantial at your age.  I know my sister had a baby at 41 and it was very hard on her.  (They told her they couldn't believe she got pregnant without assistance, her husband is a year or two older) Genetic issues are far more common.  None of the risks are WLS related.  I believe they concern 35 advance maternal age.  Considering being foster parents or adopting maybe- great ways to help kids who need family and support.  Good luck with your decision. 

I'm 42 1/2 years old and still TTC #2.  My son is 15 years old.  The chances of a down's syndrome baby are higher...but not 100%, and it can be tested in the event you choose to be tested.  Honestly, I would only suggest being tested if you were considering terminating if it came up with ds and you did not feel you could handle it...but that's me.    Others may suggest being tested even if you were not considering terminating if it came back showing ds just so you knew what to be prepared for.  I could see it either way...it would be a decision you and your new (congrats!)  husband would have to determine was best for the two of you.

That said...I know that the statistics will tell you it should be down right impossible for you to get pg on your own at 46...and it will likely be harder, but not impossible.  If you choose to do it, I'd suggest consulting a fertility specialist ASAP and have them test your FSH levels and your ovarian reserves...and talk to them about the best course of action for you.  If you and your DH were willing to consider it, you could consider using donor eggs rather than your own, whi*****reases your chances of becoming pregnant just because there are more eggs than you're likely to produce.  Again, though, that would have to be something you and your DH would have to decide if it was the right course of action for you (it would be donor eggs and DH's sperm). 

I would NOT let your WLS influence one way or the other your decision on whether to try for another baby.  It is more a matter of if you want to try for your own eggs and getting with a specialist to see if that's possible...and if not...are you willing to do IVF w/donor eggs. 

Best of luck in whatever decision you make.