Evidence that older birthers need more intervention?

[chocolatecatty]

Three of the mums in my mum's group were 39 or 40 when they first had bubs. The eldest had a drug free birth, one an emergency c-sec (she was fully dilated so not sure what happened) and another a c-sec (not sure reasons why for this one).

It's annoying that age can strike fear in someone. Like Kelly said, they got pregnant already! So why shouldn't their bodies follow through with a normal labour?

And with the 'muscles dont' know how to push'....are these women incontinent? Do they still enjoy sex? Have they not been told about the foetus ejection reflex? Your body knows how to move bubs down the birth canal without your muscles help if needs be!

[anney]

Hi girls,
bit late on this but thought I would say that my sister ended up going into labour naturally on her due date and birthed her baby with minimal intervention that day. Her usual Ob. was away on a conference so she had a fill in that did not need to do anything. Yay.
I should have said that I had my first when I was 40 and did antenatal care through the public system and not once did they mention a c/s. I went into labour naturally but ended up with a c/s but may have done that even at 30.

[satya]

I became a mum at the age of 42. I was not considered high risk.

I was going to be allowed to go 10 days over - just like everyone else at the hossy I went to. I gave birth at 38/4. I went into labour spontaneously, had a 17 hour labour with almost 2 hours of that being 2nd stage. In the end they had to give me Syntocin as my contractions were receding. Bub was vacced out a few minutes later.

It was never suggested that I'd need a C section. I am only 5 foot 1 & still managed to deliver a 7 pound 13 ounce bub vaginally - yes with a little help but I was exhausted by then and needed it.

[mrsmac]

My 1st birth was the one with the most intervention and that was 17 years ago!! My last birth was induced but no other intervention and only gas for pain and that was 14 yrs after my 1st so I don't think its right to say older women have more trouble.

[Lucy]

Anney, that is wonderful news. Congratulations to your sister!

[Cyathea]

I think it has a LOT to do with the care provider you choose, and not a lot else...

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

Wonderful news, Anney!

BTW, I think that older women need more intervention. As do younger women; first time mothers; mothers with previous interventions; mothers with big babies, small babies, long-term medical problems, short-term medical problems; mothers with a mother who needed interventions for ANY birth... oh hang on a minute, I'm no longer working for the health service.

No, women don't need more intervention for any weird arbitary reason. Obstetricians may like to give it, though.