Pregnancy diaries // Marie-Claire Accordino on being pregnant at 45 and the journey to get here

Name: Marie-Claire

Age: 45 years old

How many weeks? Exactly 35 weeks pregnant!

Tell us about the moment you found out you were pregnant... 

I had flown back home to Australia and found out via the usual route – a home pregnancy test. I was actually meant to do it before I flew out from Dubai however I chickened out and decided to delay it until after I had landed. I did instinctively know that it would be positive, but after many years of losses and failed IVF rounds, I always feel a bit apprehensive and wonder if this time could be 'the one'.

How are you feeling really?

From a physical perspective – tired (!) as my due date is fast approaching, so I have the usual symptoms...feeling a bit unstable on my feet, needing nanna naps in the afternoon and my usual sleep patterns at night are all over the place. Otherwise, I'm feeling very enthusiastic and excited about finally becoming a mother, it does feel very surreal as for a long time I didn't think it could actually happen to me,

What’s surprised you most so far? 

How incredible the female body is, I didn't realise that the uterus expanded from the size of a pear to roughly the size of a watermelon during pregnancy and that our internal organs shift around quite drastically. It absolutely makes sense, but I'd never given it much thought until I was experiencing pregnancy myself.

What advice have you ignored? 

Something completely random but I drink a cup of chamomile tea each evening before bedtime as I find it so relaxing before I doze off, but apparently it's not recommended during pregnancy, depending on who you speak to, although I haven't had any issues. I also still colour my roots once a month although I always insist my hairdresser use the ammonia free option.

What’s been unexpectedly comforting?

Feeling the baby kick! As I mentioned before, I'm a bit of an apprehensive first-time Mum as it's been a difficult journey here, so feeling her little kicks and hiccups as well is very reassuring.

What’s one thing you wish people understood?

Although it's normal to hear discussions around the difficulty of becoming a parent such as lack of sleep, physical recovery for mothers as well as restrictions on your social life, travel and movements etc.  I will not deny that being pregnant does restrict your lifestyle and choices, although temporary, and the responsibilities of becoming a parent last a lifetime.

However, having experienced multiple pregnancy losses and the pain of infertility, which I feel is even more difficult, I am grateful for the privilege to become a mother.

I have always been a believer that life choices are hard and you very much choose your hard – and I much prefer the second option. I'm embracing the difficulties as part of the journey!

Any brands/products/services which have helped you through pregnancy so far?

My amazing pregnancy pillow – although I didn't really buy much 'maternity' stuff over the last eight months or so, this is a standout - it's the PharMeDoc brand available on Mumzworld.com I don't think I could have survived my pregnancy without it, I don't just sleep with it but detach one of the sides and use it as a bolster to rest my laptop on while working; I will continue using it postpartum as well.

Prenatal classes at Vybe Studio in Dubai Marina; their prenatal reformer, yoga and barre classes kept me as active as possible and I met some lovely instructors and fellow mammas to be (@vybepilates)

Lastly, a huge shoutout to my ObGyn (Dr Rafah) and fetal medicine doctor (Dr Selima) at Emirates Hospital – two truly kind, empathetic human beings, who have made my pregnancy journey as smooth as possible. I could not thank either of them enough for their support and wisdom! emirateshospitals.ae

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