Update after a year!

[Caro43]

I first posted on the site almost exactly a year ago after finding out I was pregnant at the age of 43. I had lost 2 babies in 2009, a little girl who had edwards syndrome at 14 weeks and another at 9 weeks when a scan showed the baby had just died. At the time of my post I was scared witless about my pregnancy and finding it hard to be positive. You ladies provided me with fantastic support at the most difficult time.
I apologise that it has taken me so long to give an update but I can be a bit superstitious. I wanted to update you now though in the hope that my story will give hope to others still waiting for their babies.
After finally plucking up the courage to see my GP, a nuchal scan and blood test gave us odds of 450:1 of a problem with the baby. We were delighted with the result. However, I had a massive bleed at 16 weeks and I was rushed to hospital, still bleeding. We were sure it was all over but a scan the following day showed that the baby was fine and they could not even tell us where I was bleeding from. The pregnancy then seemed to settle.
Disaster struck at 25 weeks when my waters broke early in the morning. I was again rushed to hospital and soon began to have contractions. I was transferred by ambulance on a blue light to Jessops Hosptital in Sheffield where I was given steroids to strengthen the baby's lungs. I was put on a drip and the contractions stopped. I remained in hospital for 6 days and was then discharged to return for monitoring twice a week.
At 30 weeks and 2 days I woke at 3.00am having contractions. I went back to Jessops and again the labour was stopped. However, a blood test then showed that I had developed an infection and it was decided that the baby had to be delivered.
Lucy Olivia was born by emergency section on 28.11.10 weighing 3lbs 8oz. She needed C-PAP in the NICU to help with her breathing for 12 hours but then came into her own. She was transferred back to our local hospital's SCBU unit after only 5 days.
Lucy was discharged from hospital on Christmas Eve weighing 4lbs 4oz. The best Christmas present ever. She turned 6 months old yesterday and when she was last weighed 2 weeks ago she was 12lbs 9oz. She is the most beautiful, happy, smiley baby you could imagine. We spent last week in Disneyland Paris and I swear she was more popular than Minnie Mouse. People of all nationalities came over to speak to her because she was giggling at everyone. She is an attention seeker of the best possible kind.
I did share my news with June 47 back in January this year after she so kindly emailed me to ask how things were going. She encouraged me to post then but lack of time and the old superstition held me back. I wanted to post today though to stres the following to all older would be mums:
It is possible to get pregnant naturally. I was 43 and 3 Months. I was 44 in March!!! Not so chuffed about that though.
It is possible to have a healthy baby when older. Lucy is fine.
An awful pregnancy can turn out well. We have a gorgeous girl. Yeah! And her big brother loves her.
Don't give up ladies. It can happen and it is worth all we go through. Love, best wishes and lots and lots of wonderful baby dust to you all.

Caroline.