Birth after 40

[Hireeed]

Hello, if all goes well I'm going to be 41 when dc3 arrives. Previously I've had one CS (planned for breach) and one VBAC, spontaneous labour started when 9 days overdue and was fine. Just assumed I'd prob try for VBAC again but understand they like to deliver by 40 weeks if you're over 40 and think fair chance I'll go overdue again. Would induction be offered on these circumstances? It wasn't with dc2 but that was 6 years ago, have things changed in terms of reccomendedations? Would fact CS scar now 8 years old make any difference? I know prob just need to discuss midwife but just interested in any experiences.

I had emcs for 1st baby and VBAC for 2nd. Now 35+3 with 3rd. I'm 42. I've been told due to my age and the fact I have Gestational Diabetes, they won't let me go past 40 weeks either. I was also hoping for spontaneous labour. They've said it will be induction by balloon or elective section. They don't use hormonal induction like propess pessary or gel when you've had a previous section apparently as it increases the risk of the scar rupturing.

I was almost 43 at dc3's birth. I was induced at 40+14.

You’ll be offered ELCS, balloon induction or possibly one propess.

I've been told that they induce at 39 weeks in my trust of you're 40 or over, so that's what I'm expecting, shame as DD was spontaneous at 40+5, so not hugely overdue and going by my calculations she was bang on time

Not exactly relevant to your question but I had both my babies by elcs, 8 years apart (the bit that's relevant to your post). Both were breech and before 40 weeks as I have type 1 diabetes. During my second elcs they opened my abdomen and could see baby as the scar tissue had stretched to paper thin, the surgeon touched it and it gave way. I don't know if this was due to position of baby or age of the scar tissue and I never thought to ask as I was discharged the day after my section but possibly something you could ask. Whether or not the way scar tissue behaves changes as it ages. Definitely worth knowing.

Thanks so much, very interesting. Bit alarmed about the aging of scar tissue, hadn't really thought of that. Lots to think about, thanks so much.

I don't know about VBAC but in my trust they induce the over 40s by 41wks, which just feels wrong when the next door trust is either 39 or 40..

DC4 (2019) was induced at 40wks due to his size, my age (40) wasn't a consideration, I was only a few months past 40 so they were going to let me go to 42wks.

DC5 was induced bang on 41wks due to my age (41) due to other reasons it should have been between 40-41 but there was no space until 41wks.

So I think it varies by trust and probably by individual circumstance. Babies 1-3 were 42 induced , 41+3 and 42 induced)

I am 41 (nearly 42). I had two babies 12 and 10 years ago, one induction with forceps and a second spontaneous labour / natural delivery at a MLU.

My third baby was born 3 weeks ago at home, after spontaneous onset of labour at 40+5. You can have your baby however and whenever you want.

@Hireeed I'm assuming if it is known that scar tissue becomes unstable as it ages then that would have been brought up in the lead up to delivery. They were very keen to not go beyond 37 weeks though so part of me wonders if they know it does have the potential to stretch that way? I really should have asked all this but I was in the newborn bubble and was very aware had the scar ruptured anywhere other than the operating table I my not be in the lovely newborn bubble so instead I thanked my lucky stars and got out of there quick sharp as post natal wards are not fun,

I am 40 and am being induced at 39 weeks which I understand is the policy at my hospital (I’m in Scotland)

I didn't know this was a thing.

Why? I'm over 40 and it wasn't mentioned?

I was 43 when dc2 born, first baby at 35. I was automatically sent down the consultant-led route due to age. Saw the consultant around 32 weeks. She said I was absolutely low risk in every other way but that policy (not sure whose!} was to induce before my due date 40 due to my age. I was disappointed but not surprised.

Anyway she “forgot” to book my induction and I never asked. Not sure if this was deliberate on consultant’s part, like to think it was her little defiant action to help me avoid the hospital policy! At precisely 40 weeks I called the hospital to ask if someone was booking an induction for me and there was some rustling, a long wait, then an apology they seemed to have forgotten me. I got an induction appointment later that week and everything was fine.