Induction at age 40?

[tomkittensmittens]

Hi all.
I'm 35+1 along in a fairly uneventful pregnancy (my first) - BP fine, growth scans normal, no problems (long may it last). I saw my consultant's registrar for a brief visit this afternoon who said brightly 'Dr X has you down for induction of pregnancy 7 days after your due date'. A bit surprised I replied 'Well - we'll just see what happens'.
Now, I know that statistically it's more likely at my age that the placenta starts packing up early, so there is a reason for it, but with monitoring surely it would be ok to say no and just wait if everything is normal? Has anyone done this? I just really don't fancy being induced - I'm not dead set on a totally natural birth or anything like that but if it's not spontaneous that means I can't go to the midwife led birthing centre and will have to go to the hospital. Also, I hear that induced labour tends be harder? It may not come to having to make this decision of course but I'd be interested to hear anyone's experiences or advice - am I being unduly bothered about induction? Thanks in advance.

Hi kittensmittens - I'm afraid I can't help with advice for pregnancies with older mums but I do know that one can never be forced into medical intervention, only advised what a suitable course of action might be.

Anecdotally I know two mums who've given birth this week following induction for waters breaking and both had a hard time. I'm currently 40+4 and really hoping that labour will start naturally before 42 weeks. I will, however, be accepting induction at 42 weeks if labour hasn't begun by then.

There's lots of information out there so do take a look at medical advice for your age etc. and good luck!

I was 44 when I gave birth and was induced at 39 weeks; apparently it is standard practice in USA to induce women 40+ a week early. Ended up having an emergency C section after a long labour, DS and I went home a couple of days later!

I was induced at 40+14 at the age of almost 44y.

It was straightforward and much the same as my previous labour / deliveries.

Could it be that they want to induce earlier due to age and it being your first so don't want to take any chances?

Thanks all. Yes the early (+7 rather than +14) plan is because of my age, I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens. It's good to know that I can stick with it if everything is looking okay and ask for a few more days. I was just a bit surprised at what seemed like an automatic assumption that that plan would be OK with me. I completely understand that it might eventually be necessary.

I'm almost 44 and will be 40 weeks on Monday.

Consultant led care all along but straight forward pregnancy to date, and now
Under midwife led care but have chosen hospital which also has consultant led care on same wing, rather than mw led unit on a different site.

I have not had anything said about induction other than they'll offer me a sweep at 40 weeks, again at 41 and induction at 42.

I'm in two minds about a sweep this week but would really really like to avoid induction.

40 weeks on wednesday

That's interesting HTNY. Looks like policy varies from place to place then. Hope it all goes well for you. Out of interest, what is it about induction that makes you feel you want to avoid it?

I feel te same as you op about automatic assumptions. I've been told "well sweep you at 40 weeks" - when actually they need to ask me if I would like a sweep at 40 weeks!

From what I've read, induction can make labour faster, which means it can be more painful more quickly - also the "cascade of intervention" kicks in when you have had one intervention - and if it's possible I'd really like an active birth (standimg or squatting for as long as possible rather than flat on back) which would mean no epidural (although if I need an epidural I will have one).

Yep same concerns for me.