Has Anyone Else Been Told They Will Be Induced?

amp61470 · May 2015

At my 24 week appointment the Doctor told me they will induce me if I haven't had the baby by 39 weeks due to my advanced age. I am 44. Has anyone else been induced early due to their age or had their doctor mention this?

mindaa · May 2015

Seems odd to induce solely on that factor. I'll likely have an induction, but because my blood pressure is currently high. In addition to being AMA, which increases the odds of developing eclampsia. Maybe this is what your doc is thinking, but if you are otherwise having a healthy pregnancy, you'll just have to ask what his reasoning is.

KateLouise · May 2015

I'm not in this situation, but my midwife mentioned after my last baby that if you're over 40 they induce at 40 weeks. I seem to recall that it was to do with an increased risk of the placenta deteriorating.

I'm in NZ, if that matters.

jerseygirl227 · May 2015

Yup. Doc mentioned yesterday that they may have to induce me at 39 weeks. Mentioned the placenta issue, like @KateLouise said.

I'm 43.

sidey1 · May 2015

With DS my OB always maintained she wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks due to AMA and the placenta issue. Was 40 at the time. Was induced 40wks and a few days and they commented that my placenta wasn't looking so hot after DS birth and ended up with post partum HBP also which they said was indication of placenta starting to go downhill as well, no idea if that was actually the case..guess I'll find out this time around.

amp61470 · May 2015

Jerseygirl glad to hear I am not the only one. I will ask her when I see her again. I wasn't all that concerned but hadn't seen a post on the issue so thought I would ask. I would've thought 40 weeks also, that would seem normal, but I won't complain considering he was already 14 ounces at 20 weeks.

jerseygirl227 · June 2015

Yeah, I'm not that concerned either. My doc was quick to say that nothing is definite. He just wanted to make me prepared for all the possibilities.

I'm really kinda just at the point where whatever the docs think is best is what I'm gonna go with.

BP1979 · June 2015

Oooh, I wonder if my doc will feel the same... I'm 36 and a FTM. Due date is Dec. 10, and all my friends with kids have said the first pregnancy is usually 2 weeks late, so they've got me freaked out I'll be delivering on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Would love to deliver closer to my due date!

cneiding · June 2015

I have used a few different drs over the years and they have all done things the same basic way:

If you go a week past your due date you get an ultrasound and non stress test. If they both look good then you can wait it out. One of my drs had you go back in 1/2 week to recheck. The others waited a whole week.

I have never been told I would be induced due to age and I have had quite a few babies at AMA. I did end up getting induced both before AMA and after when ultrasounds would reveal drastically decreasing amniotic fluid past my due date.

wagvan · June 2015

Huh. I was 41 my last pregnancy, (46 now) and DS was almost 3 weeks overdue. It would be one thing if they wanted to do monitoring past 40 weeks (or even 39), and induce if there was indications of issues. To just induce because of your age is silly and not evidence based medicine IMHO.

AbigailMarieS · June 2015

I am getting induced at 38 weeks due to my body being so weak and little. My doctor said that is actaully very likely now-a-days to be induced at 39 weeks

KaLikeAWind · June 2015

I didn't have anything to contribute to this thread before, but now I've got a little bit. I'm 37 and due one week from today. At my last appointment my Dr mentioned inducing on the 19th (the 18th is my EDD) and when I wasnt sure she decided that she wanted to send me for a NST prior to my appointment on the 18th, to make sure that all is well with baby, if we're going to go past my EDD. She was very relaxed about it, but thinking back after I am getting the impression she does not want me to go very much past 40 weeks. Perhaps it has something to do with being 'AMA' as other have suggested. I have the feeling that even if the NST is trouble free that I'm still going to get a bit of a sell for an induction either the 19th or the following week.

mlfitch · June 2015

Yep my Dr said the same thing. Will not let me go past 40 wks and to be ready at 36-38 depending on how US and stress tests look. I am 42. It sounded like AMA just increases issues if I remember correctly he mentioned cord prolapse and placenta issues.

jerseygirl227 · June 2015

AbigailMarieS said:

I am getting induced at 38 weeks due to my body being so weak and little. My doctor said that is actaully very likely now-a-days to be induced at 39 weeks

My doc mentioned today that they will likely induce at 39 weeks due to AMA. This is the third doc who mentioned this. She did not, however, mention anything about a c-section, like the previous docs.

Seriously, I am just gonna go with whatever.

KaLikeAWind · June 2015

I have an update - my due date was 6/16 (I have been thinking it was the 18th, apparently I was wrong) and had an appt with a NST on the 18th. The NST went fine, and I am still only 1cm dilated (however, my cervix is about 70% effaced, so I've got that going for me), so they will allow me to wait until next Tuesday 23rd. They felt that with the NST results being so good they felt comfortable enough letting me 'ripen' over the weekend, but the 23rd was as far as they felt comfortable waiting. Part of this was also that they didn't want to 'start from scratch' because I had not dilated significantly, as it could make the induction less successful and thus increase my risk of c-section.

So, maybe you could make a compromise with your Dr? Based on things like dilation and a possible positive NST if they will let you wait? Its a constant risk vs benefit thing, I get it, but if it can be demonstrated that at 39-40 weeks the risks are still minimal maybe they will give you a little extra time?

P.s. our girl @heidiiwa is in going thru her induction right now. Good luck gal!

amp61470 · June 2015

I am scheduled for weekly ultrasounds from 36 weeks on as of right now. My next appointment is Wednesday and I will have an ultrasound along with glucose test. I am sure we will discuss what will be happening going forward.

aschoppers · June 2015

My doctor said that because of my ag, 37 years old, they will strip my membrane at 39 weeks. However, for that particular appt I'm seeing a different doctor due to scheduling.

+Vyxyn+ · June 2015

I'm older as well. My due date was yesterday. Here's what I learned at my last appointment with my midwife: The placenta usually lasts about 40 weeks. For some it starts to deteriorate earlier, for some people later. Certain risk factors can make it start to deteriorate earlier, such as diabetes, smoking, and advanced maternal age. Of course, that doesn't mean it definitely will deteriorate earlier just because you have a risk factor - everyone is different. If the placenta starts to deteriorate, baby won't get what he needs anymore, and he depends on this for neurological functioning among other things. So they check the fetal movements to determine the health of the placenta - if the placenta starts to deteriorate, neurological functioning will decrease and baby will move less. If they determine the placenta is ok, they can reasonably assume this to be true for about three more days - then they have to test again. So after the 40 week non-stress test and US, they will check about every three days until either baby decides to come out or the placenta starts to deteriorate. Thankfully, my midwife believes in waiting it out rather than inducing before baby is ready, even though I'm "high risk" due to advanced maternal age.

+Vyxyn+ · June 2015

Induction, especially before you are overdue, is more often a result of the doctor's belief system than anything else, barring of course a true medical emergency which would indicate induction as appropriate.

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