If you were overthe age of 40 at birth

[Anonymous]

I was 40, twins, induced at 38w2d.

[Anonymous]

I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

[Anonymous]

I was 41 and Dr wanted induce bc we were going into a holiday weekend. Uhm no. Baby was born perfectly healthy on his due date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

Benefits of induction at 39 weeks: reduced risk of Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational hypertension.

[Anonymous]

I was age zero at birth. lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

Benefits of induction at 39 weeks: reduced risk of Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational hypertension.

Yes, I've grasped the benefits - what is less clear is how the risk changes from week to week. That's important because babies' brains do a lot of growing in the last weeks and days so people need to know the tradeoff (reduced maternal risk of pre-eclampsia vs. slight increase in risk of being born before ready (feeding or breathing problems, etc)). And the risks of things like pre-e are very individual- based on age, parity, history, etc. so it's not a one size fits all.

[Anonymous]

I was 42 and induced at 39w1d. Pitocin and epi, 12 hours from start to finish.

Personally know 2 women over 40 who had unexplained stillbirths after 40, one of whom is a very good friend of mine. Psychologically I just wouldn't take the risk of going over due date. OB agreed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

Benefits of induction at 39 weeks: reduced risk of Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational hypertension.

Yes, I've grasped the benefits - what is less clear is how the risk changes from week to week. That's important because babies' brains do a lot of growing in the last weeks and days so people need to know the tradeoff (reduced maternal risk of pre-eclampsia vs. slight increase in risk of being born before ready (feeding or breathing problems, etc)). And the risks of things like pre-e are very individual- based on age, parity, history, etc. so it's not a one size fits all.

I wouldn’t say the benefit of a week or more of brain development is worth a growing risk of stillbirth, preeclampsia, or hypertension but you do you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

Benefits of induction at 39 weeks: reduced risk of Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational hypertension.

Yes, I've grasped the benefits - what is less clear is how the risk changes from week to week. That's important because babies' brains do a lot of growing in the last weeks and days so people need to know the tradeoff (reduced maternal risk of pre-eclampsia vs. slight increase in risk of being born before ready (feeding or breathing problems, etc)). And the risks of things like pre-e are very individual- based on age, parity, history, etc. so it's not a one size fits all.

I was told the placenta starts to give out. Induced at 39 weeks at age 40.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was 42, doctor wanted to induce at 39 weeks, I said no since there were no indications I needed to (I work in maternal and child health, I was making an informed decision). We agreed at 40 weeks, I went in at 39w6d for induction. I had an epidural, but it still took 2 days to get my son out.

NP here - this is interesting, because I've seen others on these threads post that their OB told them the evidence shows it's best to induce at 39 weeks. I disagree that the evidence is conclusive on that (it shows it's safe but not whether it's better or worse than inducing at 40 or 41 weeks). Just find it interesting that someone in the field sees it this way too.

Benefits of induction at 39 weeks: reduced risk of Cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, stillbirth, gestational hypertension.

Yes, I've grasped the benefits - what is less clear is how the risk changes from week to week. That's important because babies' brains do a lot of growing in the last weeks and days so people need to know the tradeoff (reduced maternal risk of pre-eclampsia vs. slight increase in risk of being born before ready (feeding or breathing problems, etc)). And the risks of things like pre-e are very individual- based on age, parity, history, etc. so it's not a one size fits all.

I wouldn’t say the benefit of a week or more of brain development is worth a growing risk of stillbirth, preeclampsia, or hypertension but you do you.

Well going for a drive might not be worth the risk of injury or death in a car crash, but people do it. It must be comforting to have a default risk setting in your brain but the reality is all risks are not equal and it is valid to make different choices based on an individual assessment of risks and benefits.