Induction or not - older mums (40+)

[Travellingislife]

Hi everyone,
I’m wondering if you could share your induction stories if you’re an older mum? I’m especially interested in your stories if you decided to not go for the induction but waited for it to happen naturally.
I’m 41, fit and healthy, people generally believe I’m much younger, I’ve had no complications during pregnancy and got pregnant easily.
The obstetricians recommend induction latest at 40+3 just because I’m over 40, I’m 40 weeks today, they haven’t taken my personal circumstances into consideration and that really gets my back up. I believe labour will start when the baby is ready and I don’t want to force labour to start as I’ve heard so many horror stories about it all still ending up with en emergency c section. The placenta and the baby appear healthy so I’m wondering what the rush is? I’ve read NiCE guidelines and several research papers which suggest there is a slight increase in post natal death but there are other risks if you get induced. I thought I was set on my decision to refuse an induction but they’re planting doubts in my mind! I feel they do it to save their own backs just in case something happens, not doing what’s best in each individual case!
My first was born at 42 weeks, my sister had both her at 42 + weeks as well so I’m thinking our babies like to be well cooked..
Sorry for the rambling, I think I’ve said everything I wanted to say, I hope it makes sense and please share your stories!

In your shoes I would decline for exactly all the reasons you've given.

Me and my brother were both 'late'. My first was born at 41+6 and my second at 41+5. Declined induction both times and they came on their own perfectly healthy.

It frustrates me no end that 'term' is considered 37-42 weeks and then they start to pressurize induction before that. Just be prepared to stand your ground. I found they love to say 'oh you can decline' and expect you not to. Then when you do they try to talk you out of it or with me 'you can decline but you have to speak to a consultant'

I said I'd speak to a consultant no sooner than 42 weeks (today) and here I am with my baby in my arms.

That turned into a bit of a rant...hormones!!

Good luck OP

I was under 40 when I had my children so feel free to disregard my experience but they were born at 42+1 and 41+6.

My first child was born by induction due to being over term. Labour and delivery were all fine (not the lovely water birth I’d hoped for!) but baby perfectly healthy.

For my second child i didn’t want another induction. I met the consultant at 41+5 and discussed the risks. She agreed that it could be I just had longer pregnancies and said the chances of anything going wrong are small, but if they do go wrong there’s a chance they’re not going to be able to fix it. we agreed I would come back in 2 days at 42 weeks for induction.

As it was I went into labour that night and my child was born the next morning with meconium in their waters which is a low but known risk of going over term. Baby had to be resuscitated but thankfully no long term issues. I was lucky we were in the hospital and the midwives / paediatric consult were able to react so quickly. At one point earlier in my labour the midwife had wanted to send me home and I dead to think what would have happened if I had agreed and delivered at home without medical support.

I'm in no way saying crack on and book the induction immediately, or questioning your decisions. Both of my pregnancies were also at a later stage than yours is currently so not exactly like your situation. Chances are all will be fine if you wait for baby to come when they’re ready, but just wanted to share my experience with you. I’d also suggest you have some ideas in place about what you are comfortable with in terms of timescales vs risks so you can be clear with the consultant when they ask.

All the best with these next few weeks and months!

I am 43 year old with the same questions myself. I am only 8w+3, so I have time to research this question because this is a standard procedure for older mums.

I just don’t like the idea of induction early, before my body and my baby is ready. I understand though that at my age there is a higher chance that the placenta isn’t able to cope, but I am hoping for extra monitoring just in case.

I just read an interesting article from the Royal college of obstetricians gynaecologists about the reasons why they offer it, if it helps;

https://www.rcog.org.uk/media/lp4n13jn/sip_34.pdf

…but at the end of the day, it is your body, your choice.

This article also puts the figures into perspective…..

https://www.nicswell.co.uk/health-news/older-mothers-may-benefit-from-being-induced-on-their-due-date

If I was in your position I personally would incline induction too! I think your reasonings are completely understandable and make sense. I would speak to your consultant, they will still advise you to have an induction (because they have to that’s the guidelines) but they should support you and your choice!
they may offer you additional monitoring such as scans or coming into the hospital for CTG monitoring (which you can also decline if you wish). The best of luck!! You’ve got this mama trust your decisions and your body, you know what is best x

Thank you so much! I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It’s a difficult decision as I don’t want anything to happen to my baby of course. That must have been very scary @Ohthepressureofaname, I’m glad to hear everything went well!
Those articles are very good @Silverfoxlady I hadn’t read the second one before! Best of luck to you in your pregnancy!
@Juicyjuicymango congratulations on the new arrival! I agree with everything you said!
@Oowoo yeah I think they’ll offer me daily checks as they did when I went to 42 weeks with my son, they do say it’s only a snapshot in time though and they don’t recommend it..

I’ll write down numbers, pro’s, cons and be ready to talk to the consultant in a few days. Hopefully labour will start on its own before that but I feel absolutely nothing so it probably won’t..