NOW CLOSED: Are you pregnant now, or have given birth in the last 5 years? Complete an academic research study - £250 of Amazon vouchers to be won.

[OliviaMumsnet]

We've been asked for some help with an academic research study by a doctor at Nottingham City Hospital, Dr Kate Walker.

The survey is open to everyone who is either pregnant now or who has given birth in the last 5 years.

Here's what Kate has to say about her research:
"I am doing research to find out how best to look after the pregnancies of women aged over 35. Specifically we are looking at whether doctors should induce labour slightly early for such women to try and prevent stillbirth.

"Some doctors think early induction for women over 35 may prevent stillbirth however there are some risks associated with induction. Experts used to believe that induction generally increased Caesareans. More recent research has suggested that for certain conditions modern methods of induction slightly reduce the need for Caesareans.

"At Nottingham City Hospital we are considering a clinical trial with women aged 35+. This would involve one group being induced early (39 weeks) and one group not. However we need to gauge how recent mothers and mothers to be would feel about participating in a clinical trial like this. So we're asking Mumsnetters to complete our short survey.

We're very aware that some of you may have experienced stillbirth, early induction or given birth at aged 35+ - we don't want to cause any upset with this survey - if you'd like to get in touch with me directly my email address is at the end of the survey.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and for any input you can give.

Best wishes
Dr Kate Walker"

As a token of thanks everyone who completes Kate's survey will be entered into a prize draw to win £250 of vouchers for Amazon. We're asking that you just enter your MN Nickname at the end - Kate will pick one winner at random and MNHQ will be in touch directly with you - that way Kate will not have your email address - she wants the survey to be
completely anonymous and all data is confidential
Many thanks
MNHQ

exactly, spend the money on expectant management - regular monitoring of the baby and placenta including blood flow in the last couple of weeks - intervene if any issues found. Not routine induction.

yy I agree, expectant management following an adapted protocol for women over 35 would be a better use of funds.

Done

The results of this could so easily be 39+ mothers to be will see squewed (sp?) stats showing vaginal birth rates plummet and c-section rates rise and that would be NOTHING to do with their age and only due to them being induced and the baby coming out before it was ready.

Done .
DD2 is 6 on Sunday so only just squeezed into the criteria!

My concern would be that if I were allocated to group 2 (natural labour) then I would have to be much more assertive if I felt that I then needed an early induction.

I was induced all 3 times (?IUGR with first at 39+6, no growth over a 2 week period with 2nd at 35+3, declining amniotic fluid and slowed growth with 3rd at 38+6). I would hate to think of a woman worrying about her baby but not able to say in case she mucked up the study IYSWIM.

Also, the study wouldn't be blind, so would the doctors be influenced in their clinical decisions, albeit sub-consciously?

Done.

God I hate being induced!!!!!#
I was 41 for last birth and was never told that I was at higher risk. I went to Kings who were doing research into letting women be and monitoring them more closely to avoid induction.

I saw MW every 2nd dsy for a sweep to avoid being induced. Dates can be so wrong too. I didn't know my conception date and gave a wild guess which they agreed with. DS was born at 10 llb 3 oz so i wouldn't be surprised if he were baking for longer than the 42 weeks we all thought he had been.

Done

done.

Done. I was supposed to be induced after my waters broke with no contractions, but finally remembered to start contracting before they could get me. My friend in the USA went 1 week over and was made to have an induction. 1 EMC later...

I was almost induced at age 34 due to prolonged rupture of membrane, no contractions, thankfully they started the evening before my appointment. Now 37 and due in 5 weeks. I'd only be wanting an induction if there were a medical reason for it.

Done.

Think I meant ECS. Whoops.

Done

done

done it

Done. Not sure how much text that little comment box can take, I did go on a bit

My BP is high just thinking about it. Plus the shock when I realised I am actually 34 and this is not about older mums at all! But young spritely women my age!

Done

Done.

I was induced after my waters went (mecronium) and it wasn't that bad. In all I was only in labour for eight hours, and although there were concerns at the end for both of us, we are both healthy. It was a bit of a shock when they upped the drip full wack, I was amazed at the instant agony I was in. But it wasn't too bad...

Done, had my 4th at 36, bang on due date. There's no way I would agree to be induced purely because of my age, whatever happened to individual care?

done

Done - I'm 35 and pregnant so for once I fit the criteria for a MN survey!

Done.