AIBU to worry about my sister’s pregnancy risks at 46?

[Nordicdaydream]

My sister is pregnant (24 weeks). She is 46 and conceived naturally. She’s had quite a few miscarriages in the past and has one son already who is 6.
I am concerned at the risks once she gets further along. They are monitoring her with growth scans and she’s had a regular appointments but they offered her the glucose test for gestational diabetes and she’s refused it. She also refused the NIPT Down syndrome test.

I suppose I’ve been researching and worried for both her and the baby as I know things are more likely to be complicated at this age.

Has anyone else had a natural pregnancy around this age? And were there complications?

What a load of cobblers.

I think you're mixing something someone else said and something I said together.

A home birth would be irresponsible if the baby was known to have Downs though, and avoiding prenatal testing with the purpose of delivery not knowing so as not to affect decisions about the birth would be too!

Hopefully she's having her ultrasound anomaly testing at least!

The gestational diabetes test is no big deal.

i think it's sensible to do it. If invited to.

@Nordicdaydream I don't know why your sister wouldn't have the GD test.

but I can understand her not having the NIPT, if she wouldn't abort what's the point?

lots of women have babies around her age & yes the risks are higher, but not inevitable! Try to relax & help her enjoy her pregnancy! Do what you can/are willing to help her (especially in this heatwave - if you're in it!)
I hope it goes well for her 🌷💕

I also drank some lucozade and then went for my appt, I dont remember fasting, but maybe it was in the morning, and then I walked to work and carried on with my day. No drama at all.

Yes if you look back at my comment re abortion you’ll see the exact quote I was replying to and it will make more sense.
I find in a county particularly where abortion is legal it is strange to call any home birth irresponsible. Women make the decision for a home birth weighing up the risks and benefits, just because they don’t weigh them up the same as you or I would doesn’t make them ‘irresponsible’ they should still have bodily autonomy at the end of the day shouldn’t they or is that just for women seeking abortions? Yes I would be very concerned if for example a woman had grade 4 placenta praevia or accreta wanted a homebirth and professionals may want to ensure if she had the capacity to make that decision but in most other circumstances it’s less clear cut when also taking account of the psychological risks to the mother of not having a homebirth

I agree, I've known plenty of people who've had it & none of them commuted or shat themselves!

I think your experience is normal!!

Bloody phone!!

vommited not commuted obviously!!

You fast overnoight - nothing but water.

Issue for me as like coffee in morning and fasting trigger morning sickness even then. It was a sugary drink as lucozade now sugar free - but you go in they draw blood give you small sugar drink and you wait round till the draw next bit of blood.

Dh had to take time off for later two - as couldn't have kids in hopsital and needed to sit still.

I don't know anyone who had test who had any phycial issues with it either.

The OP sis still has right to refuse any tests she chooses - just this one rules out a birth complication that if picked up can be fairly easily managed to help prevent negative outcomes for mother and baby. Op Dsis should have access to MW and GP so has access to medical support and advice.

It may be she is doing it but hasn't told OP - my own family made a huge fuss insiting it meant I had diabtetes and refused to listen that test was negative - so weren't told about later two tests. Even if Op think she is hiding her worry it may have been picked up and this is a way to just not engage with it.

This comes across as less worried more judgemental. As is often the case where people want to dress up judgement so they themselves avoid judgement.

she knows what she’s doing, she’s made informed decisions. They are her decisions nor yours.

I think i had to drink it in advance and then pee'd on a stick at the midwife clinic but I might be mis remembering as it was a looong time ago but there was defo no blood test and then another blood test.

Not sure you had the typical GTT test then - as that usually is two blood tests first after fasting second after having sugar - it's the one described on NHS website.

I think they do check urine for sugar but think that was more routinely when they checked for proteins as well - but more routine care and the GTT test is usual way to test for gestaional diabetes and for me GTT has always been part of a hospital clinic being run not done in a normal MW clinic or visit.

It's an arse if you have other kids and limited childcare having to hang round hospital for couple of hours and have blood drawn but worth it to rule out a treatable potential dangerous condition for most women dependent on their risk factors.

Maybe its a newish thing then. I'm talking 16 years ago!