Induction on due date for over 40's?

[calpolicella]

Hi everybody, I'm 42 and expecting baby no.2 on 21st May. My doctor has recommended I get induced on the due date if the baby hasn't already been born by then. There is a risk in older mothers of still birth if the pregnancy carries on too long. Does anybody have any experience of this? What is the best form of induction, ie least painful, more natural, most likely to work first time? Baby no.1 (now 3 yrs) was induced, and it was very painful and long drawn out, about 18 hours in total. In the end I had an epidural and wish I'd done so sooner. Hoping I will go into labour spontaneously this time without any need for drips, injections, pessaries and the like.
Also, any recommendations for natural ways of getting things moving once I get to say 38 weeks?Anyone successfully tried curries, raspberry leaf tea, pineapples etc? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Others will know more than me about the risks, but I'm quite surprised by your doctor's advice. I had my two at 39 and nearly 41 and the doctors would have been quite happy to let my pgs go on to 42 weeks if necessary. They offered me swweps at 40+2, but I wasn't under any obligation to agree to them. In fact the babes arrived at 40+4 and 39+6 so it was never an issue, but I would try to avoid induction if you can. I don't know how much of it is genetic and how much it can be encouraged along, but I used raspberry leaf tea and did lots of yoga and rolling about on balls and walking up hills.

Sorry, not sure if that's very clear, I mean aged 39 and nearly 41. God help me.

Thanks for the response. Perhaps it depends on the area you live in. I will check it out with my midwife.

I was induced with my 2nd child and found it a relly postive experience. My labout was about 4 hrs in total and I didn't have any pain relief. I was able to keep on the move though as I had pessaries and not a drip. I really think this helped. I had an epidual with my first baby and in hindsight wish I hadn't.

Try acupuncture - I had it done at 39wks last time

The acupunturist said she'd give things a "nudge" first time, then a "push in the right direction" 4 days later if nothing had happened & then "something not to be ignored" 3 days after that if still nothing had happened.

Well I went into labour at 39+4, so I didn't need any more than the "nudge"

I was 39 last time & will be 40 (but only by a couple of weeks when this one is due, & I intend to do the same to ensure I don't go over my due date - in my area they are keen to induce us older ladies too, if we start going over ouor due date.