C-section recommended because of age

[Cass72]

My SIL was told by her OB that she would have to have a c-section because of her age. She's 40.

This is her first baby, no health issues for her (blood pressure all good, no gest diabetes) and at the 16 week scan they were told that the baby looks "perfect".

They got pg via icsi ivf (2nd cycle) due to my bro having a vasectomy.

Is that a standard call? I thought she would have an option for a natural birth.

[RhiChiChi]

I would be questioning this...

[Michelle71]

Um - no!! No need to have a c-section if there is no specific reason for it. It is a rather outdated idea that because older tissues are less stretchy a c-section should be done over a certain age but I would suggest she get a different opinion and question the need for why it has even been proposed

[BeautifulMadness]

i agree with the other ladies...that sounds very odd

[boobaloo]

definately not a standard, one of my mum's friends' had her 1st at 42 through ivf, and was never offered a c/s.
definately be questioning this, and be armed with research.

[Janie]

That sounds really off to me, and I would definitely be questioning it. My SIL had her babies at 41 and 43 via natural vaginal birth, with absolutely no complications. She was up and about immediately, her 'age'' didn't cause any problems whatsoever.

[TaRhLi.]

That is very odd, age is generally not the factor in recommending a c/s unless there are other health complications which may come into play...

There are however some OB's who are very overcautious when it comes to IVF babies and think that a c/s is the best option to delivery a healthy baby. I had an elective c/s with my first child (who was conceived via IVF) but that was due to other health matters and nothing to do with my IVF status or age (I was 36 when she was born). Even up until the date the c/s was booked in my doctors still wanted me to consider giving a v/b a try it was me who was reluctant to go that route.

This time around I will also be having a c/s to deliver my twins (also IVF babies) due to already having had a c/s and the "higher risks" associated with twin births, and as I don't live in a capital city if there were any complications with a v/b then I am almost 2 1/2 hours away from a major hospital.