Has anyone's dr mentioned induction at 40 wks?

[Livsmom]

My ob doctor originally said he would not let me go past 40 wks due to age (40). Now I am 38 weeks and he said if my cervix is not favorable, he will not even induce at 40 wks. Anyone have doctor tell them anything different?

 

[Seity]

It was mentioned that they'd discuss induction at 39 weeks (purely because of my age - 39) and I told them I'd refuse since there would be no medical reason for it and that was the end of the discussion.
Now obviously if there were a genuine medical issue of some kind that would be a different story.

 

[Enekai]

My doctors said something about really watching me once I get to 38 weeks. My sister told me it has to do with the baby's environment becoming toxic.

 

[Seity]

Basically, if you're older then there's a chance that the placenta may start to degrade earlier than in a younger woman. However, they could easily do an NST and just monitor you more closely instead of forcing an induction when one might not even be called for. The thing is that it could happen to any woman at any age and you would notice reduced fetal movement.

 

[Enekai]

Seity got it across much better

 

[Lady H]

Yes I was told what Seity said, they don't really want me to go past 40 weeks and would induce as placenta deteriorates quickly.

 

[kathy31]

Yes, I've just had a growth scan due to maternal age and at the meeting with the doc she mentioned that my consultant may wish to induce me at 40 weeks. I said that I would like to avoid this at all possible. At my hospital it seems like unless you are strong enough to voice your opinions they like to 'suggest' the easiest options for themselves. I had a home delivery last time but doesn't look likely this time (big baby that was undetected that led to difficult delivery) but I told them that I probably wouldn't deliver at their hospital anyway as they only have one birth pool and I have found a nearby alternative hospital that has 4.....

 

[Borboleta]

I was 38 and I begged for an induction at 41 weeks, otherwise I had to wait one more week. no one mention induction before 40 weeks always 42 weeks.

 

[WhoopC]

My doctor told me the same, she will not let me go past my due date and would schedule an induction if I got close.

 

[CatherineK]

My doc monitors every week (ultrasound) from 37 on (for older mothers) to make sure all is well. It's optional, but I took advantage of it last time and will again this time, for peace I mind.

 

[MrsJP]

My OB said there is an increased risk of stillbirth past 40 weeks so they will not let me go past my due date.

 

[Seity]

Is anyone besides me refusing induction (assuming I even make it that far)?
I see no reason to induce a perfectly healthy pregnancy based on maternal age. They can monitor us just fine to ensure the baby is still healthy.

 

[Lady H]

I think it will depend on how my pregnancy goes. I will have extra scans as I have low PAPP-A so that is another potential placenta challenge for me. A 40 year old friend on here recently went over and a baby was then induced nearer 42 weeks. Apart from it being a big baby that require a section it was healthy.

 

[MrsJP]

I'm also just going to wait and see- I'm small (5'1") and worried about the baby getting too big. I'm hoping I go into labor naturally before my due date!!!

 

[kathy31]

Is anyone besides me refusing induction (assuming I even make it that far)?
I see no reason to induce a perfectly healthy pregnancy based on maternal age. They can monitor us just fine to ensure the baby is still healthy.

I will be resisting induction all the way as like you can see no reason that induction should take place unless there is some indication of medical problems for mum/ baby or both. Statistics indicate that intervention rates and requirements for pain relief increase proportionately when induction takes place and I'm not happy with that either...

Kathy