Child birth at 45!

[Ferrylass]

Hello!
I’m 21 weeks pregnant with my second child at 45, came as a complete surprise but we’re over the moon!
I’ve been starting to read up about potential risks re the birth at my age and weighing up vaginal birth v elective section.
I had a long and difficult birth with my daughter 5 years ago resulting in an episiotomy and several stitches, this hasn’t put me off but I’m concerned about the increased risk of still birth although I’ve been told I’ll likely be induced before I get to 40 weeks.
Just wondering if anyone on here has had a bubba a little later in life and how your birth went?
Thanks for any replies! 😊

Hi,
Just jumping on if that’s ok. I’m 40, and had a traumatic birth with my son (first baby) 2 years ago. Very long labour, 42 weeks, ended up with a third degree tear & episiotomy, luckily baby was fine as had two knots in his cord, meconium in the waters & his heart rate crashed just before they yanked him out with a ventouse. I’m only 20 weeks but have been reading furiously about induction at 39 weeks/the risk of going over 40 weeks/elective section. I’ve no idea at the moment what I want to do, and my list of questions for my next consultant appointment is getting long!
Would love to hear similar experiences as to how people decided what to do.
Also, congratulations! I hope your pregnancy is going easily so far x

I'm 43 and had a baby just a few weeks ago - first time mum. I was induced at 39 weeks and had a really straightforward delivery with minimal pain relief. Hopefully it helps to know that it can be relatively uneventful!

Hi
Thank you for your replies!
I would much prefer to avoid a section but I'm just worried about how close things went to going very wrong last time, they were preparing to have to resuscitate my little girl.
Also aware that a section is major surgery so I'm really torn!!
I keep thinking a section would be the safest bet for this wee one but the recovery time puts me off! It's so hard!!

Well this isn't my story but I'll just throw it in here anyway! One of my relatives had a very difficult pregnancy and c section at 35 following years of fertility treatment/IVF. She was told she would never fall pregnant naturally again. At 43 she thought she was going through the menopause but she was, incredibly, pregnant! Her pregnancy was absolutely fine and she opted for a VBAC which went well with no complications. An amazing story I always think, considering what she'd been through!