Being pressured to have early induction due to age

[curlyLJ]

have already posted this in Childbirth, but there's more traffic over here...

Basically, I am high risk due to 'advance maternal age' in this pregnancy - I'm 40. Saw my consultant a couple of months ago when she explained the risks / their policy to me re age (I have also seen the research). I told her about my fears of induction/intervention (after last time) and she said that as long as I was aware of the risks, it was my choice and that I could have daily monitoring from 39-41w instead if I prefer. Agreed we'd discuss at 37w.

Have thought about this a lot and unless there is a real reason ie something showing as being wrong with me or the baby, I don't want to be induced unnecessarily. My midwife thinks it's over the top too and she quite rightly said that there are risks with all pregnancies/births and that I am a 'young', fit and healthy 40 - she said she's seen women in their 20's who were much less so!

Anyway, just been for my 37w appt - only it wasn't same cons I saw before, it was her registrar and he just wouldn't listen to anything I had to say. He was insistent on trying to book me in for an induction at 39w and gave me such a look when I said thanks, but no thanks.

In the end we agreed that I would see the cons again at 39w instead, to have a sweep then if favourable, and then go from there (am getting DH to come with me for that one so he can help me stand up to them as I tend to back down around medical professionals which is what happened last time).

Am really hoping I go spontaneously in the meantime though as baby is already engaged and I have had a bit of a bloody show. I really want to deliver in the birthing unit, in the pool if possible, but he said I can't if I'm induced...

Has anyone else had this?

CMAJ April 28, 2014 First published April 28, 2014, doi: 10.1503/cmaj.130925

About as up to date as it gets I think. Basically says that induction not only doesn't increase section rate but might decrease it by 12% and expectant management (close monitoring instead) potentially increases it.
Doesn't go into increases in instrumental delivery, but again it's a question of risk acceptability as well as quantity.

Just thought I'd come back to the thread to say my DD2 was born without induction in the end at 40+1 . I resisted their 'offer' and decided to wait a few days after my due date and it all worked out thankfully!

I was able to go to the birthing unit (as I went into labour naturally) just as I hoped and spent most of the labour in the pool. It was a much better labour that with DD1 and no intervention needed at all. It all went rather quick though, just over 5 hrs from first contraction!

The only issue was that my placenta wouldn't come out and i ended up in theatre to have it removed manually (not the greatest experience) but there's no reason to suggest that this was related to my age in any way.