40+ mums to be and early induction/c section

[SleepEatPoopRepeat]

I’m 41 years old and 30 weeks pregnant. Had my doc appt today where I wanted to discuss birth options and I was told that I can’t go past 40 weeks 0 day (so due date) before I have to have a c section (or induced) due to my age. Apparently after 40 your placenta is weaker and may not last the ageing!

I was not told about this earlier and have older mum friends who never had this forced on them. Has anybody else been told this? I feel it really doesn’t give me much chance to birth naturally and I refuse to be induced again after I had a terrible induction with my DD 3 years ago.

I have read this is the policy under the NICE guidelines. You absolutely can decline induction/c-section after 40 weeks. The 'degrading placenta' line is categorically untrue and designed to encourage you to agree to early induction of labour. I'll try and dig out an article or two on that for you. One of the stats they like to nshare is that the rate of stillbirth "doubles after 40 weeks" - which is true...from 1 to 2 per cent

I am also 41 and will not be having an induction (before or after 40 weeks) unless there is sound medical reasoning for doing so.

Here is the article I mentioned: sophiemessager.com/the-myth-of-the-ageing-placenta/

All the best with the rest of your pregnancy and birth x

I’m 40 and had a similar convo with the consultant, but much less black and white. She said they don’t like women going past 40 weeks over 40 so would mean inducing around due date (but no mention of c-section). I pointed out that they’d already moved my due date forward to a point where it wasn’t biologically possible for me to have conceived and she said that I could discuss with midwife nearer the time.

@Aozora13

I’m 40 and had a similar convo with the consultant, but much less black and white. She said they don’t like women going past 40 weeks over 40 so would mean inducing around due date (but no mention of c-section). I pointed out that they’d already moved my due date forward to a point where it wasn’t biologically possible for me to have conceived and she said that I could discuss with midwife nearer the time.

Indeed. They "don't like women going over 40 weeks" I "want to avoid an induction unnecessarily" :)

I am expecting to have to have this same conversation in a couple of months but, after last time, I'm quite comfortable refusing induction at or earlier than 40 weeks.

Remember, the placenta is a fetal organ and therefore ages with the baby, not you. And part of its "aging" / development is what is needed to prompt natural labour.

They can't force you to have an induction. Decide which date you would like one if you haven't gone into labour (if at all) and tell them.

They don't like women taking control but they must accept it!

Thank you all. I had an induction for my first child and it was a horrific experience that ended up with emergency c section. I want to avoid a c section for various reasons so glad to read the shared article. I’ll also start doing my own research and not feel forced by a cold pushy male doctor that has taken non of my concerns or wishes onboard.