Older moms

[tiffxxx]

Any older moms to be on here who are absolutely petrified of Labour Day

I was an older mum and to be honest by due date, I was so heavy and fed up, I couldn't wait to move things along.
Finally went into labour 40+4, ds arrived 40+6.

Hi there it's a labour ward midwife. What is the biggest scare for you and why does your age matter?

Currently 40w+3 and 40 years old! Not terrified but a bit apprehensive. Don't want to be induced so trying everything to get things going naturally. I don't think baby is in a hurry though.

Went into labour early so hadn't really thought about it.

I think it’s more the fact that my body’s older now than what it was with my other 2 and the fact that there’s a 17 year age gap from my youngest to this one

Aren't their more risks associated with being older?
Personally I'm worried about having to have a c section or bleeding too much. I hear these are real concerns? Please correct me of im wrong.

Not sure if this help or make you more worried, I had our DD at almost 41, felt tired alot, was put on iron tablets
Around 37/38 weeks they said the bump hadnt grown and my blood pressure was high so had to be monitored, all “ok” then my waters broke at home, had to be induced 2 days later and she was born the day after the induction. She was just under 5lbs so had to go into the NICU, was there for 3 days ,I fed her myself, would sit in the NICU almost 24/7, she put on weight so we were discharged a day later,
She’s now 15 1/2, going through Y11, she is the light of our lives, her older brothers are very protective of her, (10 and 8 years difference) she gives them hell-screamed at them as a toddler, great memories!
Wish you all the best 💐

@tiffxxx i am in my 40s with a 16 year age gap. But I’m not letting it worry me (too much).

I was induced at 42 weeks with my first (who was showing no signs of coming out, with a bishops score of practically zero!), so being told I’ll likely be induced at 39 weeks with this one doesn’t bother me.

Im fitter than i was 16 years ago, and the labour will be what it will be. All that i want is a healthy baby and for me to get through it all ok too, the rest will just happen however is best for me and the bump.

Why are your terrified nothing to be terrified about, 16 year age gap then had another 3 in the last 2 years now I'm 42 all home births loved it tbh

What if you are mid 40s and it is your first child, doesnt age matter as the body is older to go through a first pregnancy and birth? It is scary

Every labour is uniqe and there is no guarantee of straigtfoward delivery at any age.

However, if you had two vaginal deliveries before it is a positive sign.

My advice to you would be to stay as fit in pregnancy as possible and eat sensibly.

By staying fit I mean keeping up with your current level of fitness or upping it up gently (avoiding risky sports, of course).

By eating sensibly I mean eating healthy foods in sensible amounts (avoid eating for 2, this is comletely unnecessary)

I have seen lots of older mums having straightforward deliveries and plenty of young women suffering from complications. Often it's just a straw of luck.

Please do talk to you midwife if your fears persist. It is not a nice feeling to be constantly scared.

I hope it helps

Thank you

I not long gave birth I found out on my 40th birthday ,we have been through it as Caden got down syndrome he is now 14 months old , when I found out he had downs was 33 weeks gone they pulled me and husband in a room at the hospital they wanted to stop his heart while he was inside of me and said I would have to give birth to a dead baby x of course we didn't go through it , he is really joy and like any other baby he is so cleaver x

Oh wow