Induction before due date for older mums

[Miller2021]

Hi everyone, I'm 10-and-a-bit weeks and I had my booking-in appointment on Friday, at which the midwife advised that I'm completely "low-risk" aside from my age - I'm 41 and this will be my first baby.

She mentioned that the docs prefer to induce before the due date in cases like mine, due to my age. She didn't give further details, although I can discuss with a consultant at 16 weeks, which I will. My initial reaction is that I'm not keen, especially if my only risk factor is age and everything else seems to be going well. But obviously if it seems like the right thing to do, for me and the baby, I'm not going to refuse.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Or of not being induced for their first birth after 40? How did it go?

I’m over 40 as well. Assuming no other indications (aside from simply age) for induction at 39 weeks I will decline. I would accept more monitoring after due date, although I believe the ‘failing placenta’ is a myth/theory/not backed up with actual evidence. I would consider induction after 41 weeks. I think they are inducing an eye watering percentage of women (of all ages) these days, and the evidence for its necessity isn’t very convincing to me (see pp about tiny increase in risk).

I really appreciate all your thoughtful responses - thank you so much. I'm going to bookmark this and read again closer to my 16-week consultant appointment, in the meantime I'll read the Sarah Wickham books and get myself armed with as much info as I can.

Many thanks again!

I'm 40 and currently 19 weeks into pregnancy 3. My first 2 children were born naturally at 32 and 36 weeks. I'm taking progesterone to stop this one coming prematurely however the consultant said my placenta may not produce enough protein so I may have to be induced at 36 weeks.
They are keeping a close eye on my due to other medical issues I have