37 yrs old Midwifery led?

[MrsLeclerc]

I’m 37 and have a 3yr old DS. I had a straightforward pregnancy, very fast labor and water birth with him. I was told that if I had another I’d probably be looking at a home birth as he came so quickly.

However I remember reading that any women over 36 yrs are considered geriatric pregnancies and would be consultant led. I’m not sure how recent that information was or if things had changed.

I was really hoping for a home/water birth. Is this possible at my age or would I be automatically on the consultant birth list?

That would be unusual. At my local birth centre it is over 42 I think.

I had second at 37, homebirth so obviously midwife led - there was never any suggestion otherwise; no-one ever mentioned my age.

Fantastic! Thank you both so much. Really put my mind at rest.

I gave birth at 36 and no mention of me having to be consultant led, I'm sure it's more around 42, it's defo older than 37 though x

I had my first at 39 and I was midwifery led. My second was at 42 and that was consultant led (but largely because I had pre eclampsia with my first).

Over 40 here is considered old but not necessarily consultant led unless there are other issues

I’m 38 and planning to have my second soon on the local midwife led unit. As per PPs, no one has mentioned my age at all.

(DD was born on maternity ward with ventouse but I spent most the labour in the pool on the adjoining MLU - I was 35 for that one)

I'm 37 now and my app still says I'm midwifery led even though I got put on consultant led part way through 😂 based on age alone (well, and the lack of any other issues at the time) I was definitely going to be on the low risk midwifery pathway.

The only thing I did read that goes against this is that they are moving towards inductions at 39 weeks for over 35s (I think, draft at mo) and obviously that's not a pure midwifery led thing but it's not come into effect yet, so I reckon you'll be fine. I think my midwife said it was 40+ now to be considered older but don't quote me.

I'm 39 and midwifery-led. I think age becomes a factor only after 40 in my area (and even then I'm not sure it would preclude anyone from a home birth unless there were other complications at play).

Anyway, ultimately it's your choice, I believe.

Even if you are under a consultant you can have joint care.

I had a home birth with a pool and saw a consultant a few times because of existing health conditions but apart from the odd appointment all of my pre and post natal care was midwife led

I had mine at 36 and 38 in the last 5 years. No mention of consultant led care at any point.

38 and about to give birth to my first, midwife-led all the way. Am approved to deliver in the midwife led unit of the hospital rather than then labour ward if everything goes smoothly and I don't need an induction. Obviously that is a big IF...

My mum had midwife led unit birth at 45!!

Had mine at 36 and 39 both in the MLU. The Consultant even discharged me at 36 weeks with DC2 so they I could give birth there.

Was under the Consultant fir issues with previous PGs, not labour

I’m younger, under 30, but I’ve had consultant involvement/ growth scans in both my pregnancies and had one MLU birth and am awaiting a home birth in the next few weeks. So even if you did have consultant involvement due to your age (or other factors) you can still plan the birth you want.