| Ann - February 6 |
|
|
|
|
Have any of you heard of dr's not letting women over 40 go past their due date due to degredation of the placenta?
I'm 21 weeks and everything is going great. I had a c-section 17 yrs ago, but want a natural birth this time. Because of the c-section, I can't be induced. My dr is saying I'll have to have another c-section if I don't deliver before my due date. I've tried finding info on this, but can't. It seems a bit extreme to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have had two normal deliveries before. Two boys ages 19 and 17. I am not pregnant anymore as I had a miscarriage. I had an internal scan on Saturday and this morning. I was 9 wks. I am going to try in two months time again.I am taking follic acid also. Good luck to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have heard about that, but it didn't happen to me. My first was overdue two weeks and not bulging (I was 39) so they induced. With my second (I was 41) I had just a yacky-feely 3rd trimester, so I myself asked to be induced at 39 weeks, though my son would stay inside longer. No, doctors were concerned only after I'gone over 42 weeks, but they would be for a woman any age.
|
|
|
|
|
|
want to add - I've heard about general inclination to not let *older* mothers go over their due date, but I've never heard about "degregation of placenta" - what is it, anyways?
|
|
|
|
|
|
I had a c-section 15 years ago. I have had two natural births since (one 13 yrs ago and another 8 yrs ago). The last one was a natural breech. I am now 6 wks preg and 42 years old. I have spoken with my ob. and she agrees I should have natural childbirth again. She has no probs. letting me go til 42 wks as long as the baby and I are healthy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
HI.
I am 40 and pregnant, althought the chances are slim that my pregnancy is viable. I have had 2 C-Sx's 12 months apart 6 and 7 years ago. Recently I came across a similar issue when my 20 week pregnancy needed to be terminated secondary to a fatal chromosomal disorder. They could not induce me because of the risk of uterine rupture on a post-surgical uterus. Had I waited even one week more, they would have had to do another C-sx, so I opted for the D & E. (it was horrific)
You only had one C-sx many yeras ago. I don't know why your age would put you at such a greater risk of rupture if you were induced. I would ask your high risk OB for clarification and to direct you to any literature on the topic. You can also try a google search for pregnancy induction and uterine risks followinf C sx.
Physicians are always taught to consider "risk vs. benefit". If you are completely knowledgable on the risks, you can make an appropriate decision on what is best for you and your baby.
Best of luck and joy with your pregnancy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'm here because I am considering another pg at age 43. I'm also a L&D nurse, so I thought I'd try to answer your question. First, yes, the placenta and umbilical cord are at a much higher risk of getting calcifications, shrinking, etc. and losing it's ability to provide blood and nutrients to the baby when it nears two weeks over the due date. (a__suming the date is even accurate. The EDC may be up to two weeks off either direction)
Also about the repeat cesarean...the newest medical guideline is that ALL women with a previous cesarean continue with that method of delivery, unless an anesthesia team is on site and immediately available for this delivery. This change is due to the increased risk of uterine rupture (very high mortality risk to mother and baby!) during the intense contractions during laboring. I've seen patients who have been told, after their c-sec that their uterus had a "window" present upon surgery. This is a thinning of the uterine muscle where the area is very weak.
It used to be, a year or so ago, that you were allowed to labor if you had the horizontal incision previously. The vertical "cla__sical" incisions, which are rarely performed anymore, have required a repeat c-sec. for as long as I can remember. I think this has to due with the direction/grain of the muscle and the increased likelihood it would split apart during labor. During the delivery of my now 5 year-old twins, they performed an upside down "T" incsion. The vertical part being cut only under my skin. This was to safely get out my 26 week preemies. They told me before I even went to surgery that this meant I could never deliver v____ally again. Too bad, because I was good at that part! They had to take the small babies out this way to help prevent brain hemorrhaging . Our patients would have to be able to hold-off delivery for over an hour to reach the nearest facility with a team which could offer such attention solely to one particular delivery. I tend to think certain facilities choose to stick by this new standard as their policy primarily due to cost.
We did have one couple recently, who had the financial resources, and arranged to "rent" one of our anesthesia suites to keep it available during her delivery so she could deliver v____ally.
Me, I'd be too afraid. As a seasoned L&D nurse, I've see a couple uterine ruptures and there isn't a lot of exceptions to the mortality issue. A loss of probably both mother and baby....in even just a very few minutes. Just not worth it. A horizontal incision is not as likely to rupture as the cla__sical, but I think the AMA must've determined that no deaths were acceptable. It must've been determined that deaths due to rupture were a higher risk than death during a cesarean. I have yet to actually read the reports. Although the physicians I work with have and have had to disappoint many of their patients to abide by the new regulations. (Not all MDs agree with this change) Imagine having already had a v____al birth after a cesarean (VBAC), then being told you must go back to doing cesareans! The cesarean may have been due to something not likely to repeat itself, like fetal distress.
Eventually, the tide will turn again, and the policy will be to do vag deliveries again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes, there is always a chance of rupture but just to let you know a success story: I had a c-sec 21 years ago with my first baby and have had 8 vbacs since with no problem. The last vbac was at almost age 42. I have had quick labors and big babies (10 # 6 oz) no problem. There are natural ways to start labor. Type natural induction of labor on a search engine. S_x, nipple stimulation, castor oil, blue cohosh etc. At triightherbs.com you can get a herbal mix called Startup, which can help prepare your body for labor. Worked for me!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sorry, it's trilightherbs.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ann, is your last c-sec scar a bikini or is it vertical? My understanding is that if you did not have a bikini you can't try for a vbac.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was 34 yrs old and was pg and they told me that they had to watch my placenta due to in my age group the placenta ends up aging, if that was to happen they would have had to induce me then. and at that time i was 8 months along. hope that helps
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am 30 yrs old and plan to have another child at the age 32yrs. i suffered diffulties with my last baby. the best advise i can give is to stay believing in our mighty power and everything should and will be fine. I wish you and your unborn baby the best. prayor worked for me. And remember everything was created by our mighty power so just believe in your doctor. also it is always wise to ask for information on any thing that is important to you and your health. remember our babies cant make decisions on there own they depend on us there mommies. god bless you take care of yourself.
|