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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Induction or C-section for over 40s FTM?

21 replies

trrk · 31/03/2022 15:59

This will be my first baby at age 41 and the consultant has recommended either an induction or C-section at 39 weeks. I'm hoping I might go into labour before that and try for a VB but if not I'm nervous about the induction leading to more interventions if the baby is not ready to come and am leaning towards the C-section. Also not keen on spending a lot of time in hospital before birth if the induction is slow. The consultant still thinks induction would be the best option but wasn't against a C-section either.

Which would you choose in this situation? Also keen to hear from other over 40s FTMs and what your experiences were like with either option.

OP posts:

Looseleaf · 31/03/2022 17:43

I’m choosing an induction aged 43 as following the consultant’s advice. I’m nervous with current staffing levels affected by Covid which is rife where we are though . At least with a c section there has to be a doctor on hand so it does make me wonder

Skiddlingmama · 31/03/2022 17:46

This is my second child but my consultant offered induction as well because of my age. Interested to see the responses as I had a very quick birth with my first so reluctant to mess with the process but also want to follow the advice given.

Looseleaf · 31/03/2022 18:28

Mine is 3rd dc I should have said

whatcangowrong · 31/03/2022 18:34

Do you want any more children? If yes and you have a c section you're supposed to leave a decent gap, which is relevant as you get older and ttc gets more difffcult. I was induced and had c section anyway and in hindsight should have just skipped 2 weeks of pregnancy and gone straight for the section! Was a great experience, induction not so much!

yorkshireteaspoonie · 31/03/2022 18:59

My baby is due 20th April and I've been given the same choice of induction or c section at 39 weeks as I will be 40 shortly after the baby is born.

My consultant set up a phone call for me with the labour and delivery manager this morning before I make my mind up and confirm my choice with the consultant tomorrow. She explained all the induction options and eventualities along with Caesarian and was unbiased.

I came away feeling that VG birth could possibly involve more medical intervention than the c section. Whilst the recovery will be longer after, I have decided that I would prefer that over a long drawn out possibly failed induction. Perhaps you could ask if you could also have a similar phone call with your unit

MargaritasOnMe · 31/03/2022 19:08

Having experienced both, I'd take a c section over induction any day of the week.

Porridgeislife · 31/03/2022 19:41

I’m 40 (just) and will be first time mother. Due to having previous laparoscopies I’ve opted for a c-section as I’m very aware age and gynae history is not on my side.

There’s a stat on the ROCG website that says that induction in first time mothers ends up with broadly 1/3 having an assisted delivery and 1/3 ending in c-section. Given that’s all age groups, I have no confidence that I’m going to be in the unassisted 1/3 and I do not want an assisted birth under any circumstances.

joanneligthelm · 31/03/2022 19:49

Hi I had my 1st baby last year at 43 I chose c section, if I hadn't gone into labour naturally before I had mine at 38.5 he was a big boy which played apart in my choice as there was more chance of his shoulders getting stuck, I was also told as 1st baby inductions can take a while as body doesn't know what to do the one thing I dint want is to spend 3 days being induced and end up with emergency c section.
Apart from the waiting it all went smoothly I could even choose to have music, no problems bonding with the baby or feeling like a failure because it is what I chose as the best for my baby and.me x

Qwill · 31/03/2022 19:53

I had to have a section due to medical issues, but so glad I did, it was the best experience of my life!! Husband was there, had our own music, skin to skin and latched on immediately. I felt so calm, and the spinal block was a very welcome relief to the labour pains!! Up and walking in under 5hrs, discharged 20hrs later. Went walking around the park on day three and had lunch out. I would definitely recommend it.

ukborn · 31/03/2022 21:16

I'm so surprised! My kids are teens but I had them at 41 and 43 and it was definitely vaginal birth if possible. Even though I did have a section with my first (I developed type 1 diabetes and he was well over 10lbs at 37 weeks - my waters broke then), they wanted me to have a VBAC with my second.
My sister was induced at 45 but that was because her baby was 'failing to thrive', not because of her age, and I don't think it was much before her due date.
I'm really taken aback at this trend for mums over 40 to have inductions or sections early, unless there's another medical reason?

jmap81 · 03/04/2022 14:11

I am 40 , ftm and just gave birth. I had induction but only partly - balloon and then ARM. I was sufficiently dilated to let my body do the rest. No interventions needed apart from an episiotomy. I too was concerned about the number of induced births that result in assisted delivery or CS. I feel like I got lucky and if I had needed the pessary or drip the odds for things going in the assisted direction would have just got bigger

Hopeislost · 03/04/2022 14:17

I would choose a planned section over induction. The induction may well end up leading to an emergency section anyway. Do you have support at home to help you while you recover?

CornishGem1975 · 03/04/2022 14:28

I wasn't an FTM (but it has been a long time since my first). I had an induction followed by EMCS. Wish I had just gone for the c-section.

MadameDragon · 03/04/2022 14:34

I would calculate your odds of needing an emergency section after induction (there are online calculators) and if your risk is 50% or more go directly for the section.
I had a planned section for placenta previa and it was very calm.

ThatsGoingToHurt · 03/04/2022 14:38

If I was a 40+ FTM I would got for a c section (even thought I’ve had 2 VB) I had my first at 37 and was induced and ended with a tear, episiotomy, forceps and haemorrhage (I was in theatre ready to have a c section but the doctor said he would give forceps a try). I was in constant pain for 4 months. I’ve had friends who’ve had c sections and whilst the first week or two was difficult they have been fine after that. Second was a straightforward VB at age 40.

I would also be very nervous being induced with current staffing levels.

ReadtheReviews · 03/04/2022 15:06

I'd choose c section.one word - prolapse. We just don't spring back in the elasticity depth as easily as older mothers and pushing, especially faster labour brought on by contractions would not be kind to your pelvic floor. I had a vb at 35 and didn't feel back in shape pelvic floor wise, probably only 60% back now, for 5 years. Insisted next baby at 40 was a c section and felt very annoyed I didn't have one for both.

ReadtheReviews · 03/04/2022 15:08

Elasticity dept not depth stupid autocorrect. I know everyone is different but c section is also statistically less risk if elcs and going for a vb can result in so many different outcomes, interventions etc. A planned c section is straight to the finish line.

ReadtheReviews · 03/04/2022 15:15

Full disclosure: The bits I didn't like about c section were the catheter as am prone to utis anyway and self injecting at home to stop blood clots. And most importantly, the mucus that dd2 struggled with for a couple of weeks. That was upsetting. She was fine afterwards and aside from that.
Overall though we bonded much better and it just wasn't as traumatic for me. My scar is barely noticeable, don't have a 'pouch' that people talk about and keeping on top of paras and ibuprofen afterwards kept me mostly pain free. Did need help getting baby out of cot in the night though so having someone home is important at the start.x

Skiddlingmama · 04/04/2022 07:45

@ThatsGoingToHurt

I would also be very nervous being induced with current staffing levels.

I was told this was because there is a higher risk of still birth at full term if you are over 40. I was 38 with my first and still considered a “geriatric mother” but had a successful vaginal birth at 40+6. I will be 41 when I have my second.

Skiddlingmama · 04/04/2022 07:49

@ukborn

I'm so surprised! My kids are teens but I had them at 41 and 43 and it was definitely vaginal birth if possible. Even though I did have a section with my first (I developed type 1 diabetes and he was well over 10lbs at 37 weeks - my waters broke then), they wanted me to have a VBAC with my second. My sister was induced at 45 but that was because her baby was 'failing to thrive', not because of her age, and I don't think it was much before her due date. I'm really taken aback at this trend for mums over 40 to have inductions or sections early, unless there's another medical reason?

Sorry I quoted the wrong person in my first post. I was told it was because there is a higher risk of still birth at full term if you are over 40. I was 38 with my first and still considered a “geriatric mother” but had a successful vaginal birth at 40+6. I will be 41 when I have my second.

Looseleaf · 04/04/2022 21:10

My earlier induction is due to gestational diabetes I think rather than my age itself

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