Friday, February 12, 2010
Have you ever been labeled? Well, this week I discovered that I have been and I have very mixed feelings about it.
I had never heard the term "advanced maternal age" before Wednesday, but I discovered that is how I am labeled on my medical records. You see, I am pregnant at the age of 40.
When we went to get our Level 2 ultrasound this week, I was asked to check my medical chart to make sure all my information was correct. But the only thing I saw staring back at me was "ADVANCED MATERNAL AGE" and I just couldn't get past it.
I guess I don't really have a problem with being labeled, but it didn't make me feel good to read that on my medical chart. I never knew that being advanced could mean a negative thing. Maybe I'm just being sensitive but I can't help it.
Yes, I am considered high-risk because of my age but this pregnancy has gone by very normally so far (still keeping my fingers crossed until the end, though). And I guess I just hate that I need to be labeled at all.
Can't I just be a woman who is pregnant at the age of 40 without any labels??
(Copyright 2010 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)