Shared care/over 40

[Esme78]

Dear ladies

I am currently 21 weeks pregnant following ICSI conception last Autumn. I've developed complications early in the pregnancy (OHSS) but all has settled soon after and I've had a good pregnancy so far.

However, it seems that because of my age (40 last September), conception by fertility treatment and subsequent OHSS, I am now being seen by my local Obstetrics specialist. On one hand, it is very reassuring and one feels very much cared for, on the other hand I've been told that, as a result of the above, they are recommending hospital birth. I had my heart sent on the local midwife-led centre, next to the hospital ward, but this is for low-risk pregnancies.

My age appears to be the main factor in this recommendation.

This is our first pregnancy, having TTC for almost 10 years and 2 previous unsuccessful embryo transfers. We've had our 20-week scan a few days ago and everything was perfect.

I wonder whether ladies over 40 are having similar experiences?

I look forward to hearing from you.

[Hidden]

Not over 40 or expecting yet but I’ve had a hospital and midwife led only had midwife led because my usual hospital had no beds for me. After having a quite traumatic long labour with my first i did need a doctor at the birth, I was rather scared to just have midwives if I needed an epidural I’d have to go by ambulance to a different hospital. Everything was fine gave birth in 3 hours I think there was only me there that night. I’d rather be where if I needed a consultant/dr/specialist in an emergency they’re to hand. In the hospital most of the time it’s just the midwives anyway unless you need extra help.

[Esme78 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your prompt reply xx

[Bluelady-sing]

Age can't be a factor in Risk.

[Lovefood1984]

If it’s right next to the hospital ward why can’t you start in the midwife bit and get transferred if needs be? I know you are older but if there are no other risk factors could you not ask your consultant as to why? I know the midwife units are usually a lot nicer and you’ll be less likely to have an intervention. Hopefully you can have a discussion, I don’t think they can force you to do anything you don’t want to, if you wanted a home birth they couldn’t stop you they can just recommend what they feel might be best so you can make a decision (a bit like asking for a c section, they have to give you one if you ask but make you aware of what you are asking for) x

[a1234567]

I conceived following IVF when I was 33 years old and had induction and hospital birth at 40 weeks due to IVF. I understand it has to do with the risk of stillbirth being greater to IVF pregnancies after 40 weeks. I had a very smooth pregnancy but I wanted hospital birth anyway. I wouldn’t risk anything because it took us so long to conceive. And in the end I was right, I had complications at birth. You can discuss with the healthcare professionals, see what they think. Xx

[Hidden]

Have you been to visit your midwife lead and labour wards? In my local hospital other than having a slightly bigger room and the chairs for partners recline there’s not much difference. May I ask why you have your heart set on midwife lead? If you don’t have to be induced or have a c-section you can still have the same birthing plan, eg pool and choice of pain relief in the labour ward as you can in the midwife unit. Of you want the pool you just have to ask for a Bluetooth monitor so you can wear it in the water. I am low risk but have had unexplained bleeds throughout my pregnancy so will find out at my next consultant appointment if they would prefer me to go on the labour ward. Personally my feelings are that if they think I’m better off there then I’ll go with what they suggest. You can make all sorts of plans for birth but you never know what might happen on the day-baby might have other ideas. Best of luck!

[bee_bethell]

I am consultant led and have only been given the option of hospital birth due to BMI. I am overweight but perfectly healthy. I know if you have any of their risk factors they tell you this, but my sister in law has just had a water home birth at age 40. I imagine you have a choice but talk it through with the midwife as you need to be well informed about why they are insisting before you agree

[Ghosty1]

Hiya my situation is exactly the same as yours. I am 20 weeks on Friday and have my scan on the 6th. So excited. I wanted a midwife lead birth but they said due to my BMI I couldn't It had to be a hospital. I am 40 too, they never mentioned my age just keep banging on about my BMI..I an convinced I am further on than calculated or extreme bloating because I was a healthy weight in size 14 clothes, fell pregnant and was in maternity clothes straight away. Im just going with it and as long as baby is fine, heard heartbeat Friday so I know it is then in happy ish..😃

[emmab178]

It's very early in your pregnancy and things could change. I had suspected placenta previa at the 20 week scan and then she was breech from 24 weeks all the way to 40 weeks so had a c section.

There's also other things like gestational diabetes that can come on later in pregnancy. So things can change.

At our nct class they told us to weigh everything up as risk vs benefit.

You want to be on the midwife led centre however what's the risk? No quick access to drs or drugs, etc etc. Only you can determine if the risk is worth the reward.

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

You can argue it if you have a receptive consultant. I was in the same boat but got them to sign me off for midwife led if I went into natural labour. However, I had to be induced so ended up in labour ward.

Bear in mind that something like 8/10 women who expect a natural straightforward birth don’t get it (no matter their age) so don’t get your heart too set on anything would be my advice x