35 and considered elderly primagravida

[Robbo232]

Hi,

This is my first pregnancy at 35, we have just found out so we are just over 4 weeks. I phoned to try and get an appointment with my GP but they had none available and they told me just to ring the maternity award and let them know. The maternity department said they would send out a scan letter for 10-12 weeks. Neither parties mentioned my age, so I assumed everything is normal. However I have been doing some research online (I know I shouldn’t) And it’s says anyone over 35 should have regular updates with their Dr due to increase issues that may occur. What should I do? Should I ring my Dr and ask for an appointment? Or just leave it? Just a bit nervous as this is our first. Many thanks

Congratulations!
No need to see your GP, they generally have no contract now to provide obstetric care.

In most areas, you self refer to the midwife and have a booking appointment at about 8 weeks before your scan at 10. This is no different for your age. I'm not sure whether your midwife would want you to see the consultant because of your age, but I'd be very surprised - a lot of women now don't have their first until this age. Best to ask the midwife at your booking appointment!

I'm 33 and pregnant with my 2nd, was worried and asked my consultant (am under her for other reasons) and she said in our trust you are not seen as 'old' parent unless over 40 now.

Thank you! I know I shouldn’t google things, but we are just so excited and I just want to make sure I am doing everything the right way x

I'm 37 and pregnant for the first time. I was told to self refer to the midwife then was given a booking in appointment for about 9 weeks. Nothing extra or different so far.

I've had three babies at 35, 36 and 39 and never had any extra appointments or treatment because of my age. Nobody even mentioned it, and when I did my midwife told me she had a 49 year old patient so I seemed quite young! I never saw a Dr at any point in my first two pregnancies (I did in the third but that was nothing to do with age).

In my last pregnancy I did go for the harmony test privately for my own peace of mind, but I was treated exactly the same by the NHS as I would have been at 29. Don't worry, you're a totally normal age.

I was 39 when pregnant with first and only. I didn't have any more appointments, save for one extra scan due to a fibroid. Neither was I advised to be induced early. In fact DD was 12 days late.
That was 7 years ago, so it's not really a new thing not to be seen as 'old'.

I think that is considered very outdated now, even 18 years ago when I had my first DC at 42 I wasn’t considered in need of any ‘different’ care.

Thanks Ladies x x

I'm currently 35 weeks with my first and am 35 (although 34 at booking). I have seen a consultant but that's due to other issues. The hospital would have been keen to pass me back to community care without. Congratulations! I hope everything goes well for you

I'm 37 and 11 weeks pregnant, seen a midwife and a consultant (thyroid, not age related) neither has mentioned my age at all. I did ask if I was considered old, she said 'absolutely not'

Age would only be considered a risk in conjunction with other factors. The midwife will work this out with you at the booking appt.

I'm 44 and just booked in with my midwife. Had booking in appointment around 9 weeks. I saw a consultant at my 12 week scan, but that was mainly due to emcs last time, and to tell me I need to take aspirin as over 40.
Apart from needing extra growth scans, no one has mentioned my age.

I had two babies in my 40s and never got any special treatment at all 😰

I did ask the MW during my second pregnancy and she said it was only if you were higher risk ( I wasn’t ) and she had lots of patients in their late 30s and 40s. Apparently I wasn’t special after all 😓

I'm 38 (my first) and my midwife told me and booking in, that in my area, anyone 40 and under is treated the same. Its only 41+ when they might take some extra care.

@Robbo232 Women used to be considered high risk at 35 as the vast majority of women were under this age. As the age of women having babies has risen research has shown that the risks in fact don’t increase until 40 and so the guidelines have changed. Even once you are 40 it just means being consultant led, having extra scans etc. Don’t worry at all, 35 is nothing now! I saw a woman for an antenatal appointment who was having her first baby at 53 recently and her pregnancy was completely uncomplicated.

I had dd2 at 38.
I didn't find out I was pregnant until i was 5mths. I did end up being consultant led, but it wasn't to do with my age.

Congratulations

Your first appointment will be the booking in at 8-10 weeks and you probably wont need any different treatment specifically due to your age except perhaps for prevention of DVT (eg heparin for a few weeks post partum) but that will all be monitored with regular bloods/urine and other checks at your appointments

Generally 40 is seen as a geriatric pregnancy these days and there can be differences after 40 - eg concern about the viability of the placenta after 40 weeks leading to induction

All the best

Oooo! First baby at 53! That takes some courage...

35 upwards is stupidly classed as 'geriatric mother'.... You may have more tests for downs syndrome etc but this is just precaution

I havent bothered at all with my GP. I self referred to the community midwives.

In my area you dont get extra appointments for being over 35. You'd get extra monitoring for being classed as a high risk pregnancy, such as being over-weight, diabetes, existing heart condition etc etc.

These days it's over 40 where age is considered a risk factor. No need to worry.

I'm 39 and considered low risk. Midwives said it's done on a case by case basis- e.g if you're obese/ have high blood pressure/gestational diabetes or other complications - you aren't necessarily treated as high risk due to age alone, at least where I live.