Aged 40+, did you get induced at/before due date, or left to go beyond?

[Cucumbersalad]

Hi

Just wondering what experiences people have had, over age of 40?

Did you get induced at, or even before, due date, or were you left to go to 41 or 42 weeks before anything was done?

Asking as I've seen some reports that there are greater risks involved with older mothers past due date.

Thanks!

[Pilot12]

I had both my children over 40 and was booked in for an induction the day before my due dates, because of my age my consultant didn't want me going over 40w.

I was lucky that both my babies came a few days early and saved me from the induction!

[peekaboob]

I was induced a week early.

[Cucumbersalad]

Thanks. Out of interest, are you in UK, Pilot?

[InTheFamilyTree]

OP have a look at online midwifery journal Aims for risks about going over due date, it's not always as clear cut or as risky as the hospital would have you believe. Eg there is a large margin of error with due dates (unless you and IVF and know exact conception date) and you may not even be over 40 weeks yet

[Pilot12]

Yes, I live in central Scotland. I was told the main risk of going over 40w was the baby being stillborn and that going over 40w wasn't worth the risk. I was given the choice of when I wanted to be induced, the latest being my due date.

I had my first baby at 40. I had my second at 43 and also had to take baby aspirin and I had additional growth scans at 32w and 37w, all just precautions because of my age. Also being over 40, I had to give birth to my second in the labour ward, the midwife Unit/home birth were not recommended.

[AuntieMarys]

I was left to go till 42 weeks. I was 40. Gave birth the day before induction day

[Cucumbersalad]

Interesting. Thanks for all the feedback.

AuntieMarys, are you in UK too?

[EverythingNow]

I had my 4th baby at 40. Babies 1,2 and 3 were all 2wks over, with 1 & 3 induced at 42wks. I had them in my 20s and 30s though.

Dc4 was induced on my due date, but that was due to him being predicted to be 5kg at 42wks. My maternal age was not a factor for the drs offering an induction because I had just turned 40, but it was one of the reasons that I decided to go ahead with an early induction.