Older mum and induction

[pinksmarties]

Just looking for any advice or peoples experience.

I had my 20 week anatomy scan today and all is looking really well, no problems seen.

After the scan I saw the hospital mw that said because of my age 38 (will be 2 months of being 39 when EDD) that she doesn't want me to go past 40 weeks (probably get a sweep) and certainly not past 41 weeks without induction. At the time I never thought about it but coming home wondered why this may be as she never really explained. Googling seems to show increased risk of still birth with increasing age but most inductions etc seem to be for over 40's and the research isn't overly strong for it either.

Has anyone else had this experience. Not sure what to think of it really.

 

[SarahSausage]

I was 38 when i had dd and it was never mentioned. I did end up being induced after prom, however i fought it for 3 days before giving in. The only reason they wanted to induce me was because my waters had broken - nothing to do with my age. I would certainly ask why they want this but it's always your decision.

 

[Seity]

The only thing I've found online is that if you're an older mom, then there's more chance that the placenta will start to degrade and not be as efficient as you get past 40 weeks. Personally, I believe that it's perfectly normal for a baby to choose to stick around until week 42 in some cases, so I would allow them to monitor me, but unless they could prove that my placenta was no longer doing it's job or the baby was actually at risk for some other reason, then I would refuse induction.
My son was eager and chose to show up at 38+3, so it may not come up for me this time around either, but I'd be shocked if they said anything about inducing before 40 weeks, that seems really extreme. After 40 weeks maybe, but not before.

 

[HPMINI]

My mum was talking to a midwife who works at the hospital where I will be having my baby. She said at my age, 39, they wouldn't let me go overdue. I don't know how true that is and I suppose at the end of the day the consultant would make that decision.

As my oh said, in France they count 41 weeks, so at what point are you overdue!

On a plus point, not going overdue, it would mean I wouldn't go too close to Christmas with delivery date.

 

[char63]

Im hoping they wont leave it too long before they induce me. The midwife said they leave you 14 days over!!! i was left 12 days over last time and the placenta started to break down, they idnt mention my age 38

 

[mjvdec01]

I'm pregnant with baby number three and I'm 36. I'll be a couple weeks from my 37th birthday when baby is born. My due date is January 27th. I always induce. With our first I was induced at 38 weeks 4 days, and with our son at 39 weeks exactly. This time will be 39 weeks as well. My inductions are my personal choice. My husband works an hour from home, and we live and hour and a half from the hospital where I'll deliver. If you are afraid of induction, don't be. As long as you have progressed even 1cm and effaced at all, your body is primed and will take over with the pitocin. Some people will try to scare you by telling you your labor will be prolonged. I didn't find that to be true form me the last two times. My first labor was 11 hours 45 minutes and my second labor was 10 and a half hours. I do understand them not wanting you to go over 40 weeks. I was born almost two weeks late and my placenta had degraded so much that I had lost so much weight that I only weighed in at 5lbs 6oz and looked rather sickly. My mother was only 23 when I was born. If you are anything like me, you'll hit 38 weeks and be ready for it all to be over. I am so thankful for my fabulour OB, and his understanding and acceptance of my personal choice.

 

[_Vicky_]

Different scenario as I had twins so they don't let you go over 38 weeks but I was induced. It was fab! I wasn't anywhere near going into labour myself but my induction pessary was 8pm waters broke 2am had theboys 10.12am and 10.26am - so ditto aboveif youdo choose to go that route don't be afraid of induction x x

 

[Elski]

I'm a midwife and at our unit, anyone being induced for post-dates alone with no other risk factors, is induced at 41+5. This is regardless of age

 

[Borboleta]

I asked to be induced after 41 weeks and nothing was happening. Otherwise I think my doctor would wait an extra week. I am 38 like you. Ended up having to have a emcs but it all work out great.