What age do you age out of HB?

[LaurieG]

I know this will obviously depend on individual MW comfort level, mom's health, etc. But just curious approximately how old is too old?

[ShwarmaQueen]

60? 70?

I don't think there's a certain age, per say, more like the general health of the mom. My MIL had her last baby (at home) at 42-43ish. She's a work horse though!

[Harmony96]

I have a friend who had her last baby at 42, at home.

[notjustmamie]

I'm not a midwife, but I'd say when you're too old to conceive naturally.

I would agree that other factors, such as general health, pregnancy/birthing history, and so forth would likely weigh more heavily than merely age.

[Pookietooth]

I'm 43 and I'm doing a hb with a midwife. I didn't conceive naturally, but I did use my own eggs (IVF). I couldn't conceive naturally at 30, due to having PCOS. It just took me awhile to decide that I was willing to do IVF to have a baby (having tried everything alternative, including homeopathy, herbs, acupunture, naturopathy, flower essences, and medical intuitives). I think most midwives would treat you as an individual, not an age, because it really isn't the main factor, your health and the state of your pregnancy are.

[cathicog]

The Amish and Mennonites here, often have babies at home in the mid-late 40's and I have heard of a couple of hbs to ladies in early 50's. Like 53....If I got pregnant, (i still could, theoretically) I would homebirth without a doubt, all other things being normal.

[LaurieG]

Good. Your responses are reassuring.

We're considering trying for baby #4 but won't be ready for 2-3 more years and by then I'll be 40+. I'd really like to have a HB (#3 was a failed HB when a bad allergic reaction landed me in the hospital at 35 weeks with no amniotic fluid).

[Sijae]

Menopause?

[MsBlack]

Yeah--menopause!!! At least, as long as you remain in reasonably good health.

But personally, *I* don't think you should wait 2-3 more years Not that I get a vote, or have any idea what is the perfect # of kids for your family....I just think that if you wait that long, you/dh will talk yourselves out of it! Out of the 4th baby, out of a hb....

Don't mind me!!! I'm sure you have your reasons for considering that particular timing. Just remember that there is such a thing as being TOO cautious, TOO practical, in this life. Again,

[LaurieG]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Yeah--menopause!!! At least, as long as you remain in reasonably good health.

But personally, *I* don't think you should wait 2-3 more years Not that I get a vote, or have any idea what is the perfect # of kids for your family....I just think that if you wait that long, you/dh will talk yourselves out of it! Out of the 4th baby, out of a hb....

Don't mind me!!! I'm sure you have your reasons for considering that particular timing. Just remember that there is such a thing as being TOO cautious, TOO practical, in this life. Again,

Well hi my friend! I always appreciate your perspective. I love how your thoughts always inspire me to challenge myself. And as much as I would love to smell new baby hair sooner rather than later, there are a few areas that need to be tended to in my life before I will be in the right place (physically, emotionally, and financially) to create and care for another life. So if I take care of those things and the timing still doesn't seem right I guess it wasn't the right path for my my life after all.

[sg784]

Originally Posted by Pookietooth

I'm 43 and I'm doing a hb with a midwife. I didn't conceive naturally, but I did use my own eggs (IVF). I couldn't conceive naturally at 30, due to having PCOS. It just took me awhile to decide that I was willing to do IVF to have a baby (having tried everything alternative, including homeopathy, herbs, acupunture, naturopathy, flower essences, and medical intuitives). I think most midwives would treat you as an individual, not an age, because it really isn't the main factor, your health and the state of your pregnancy are.

Originally Posted by Sijae

Menopause?

and

[MsBlack]

Originally Posted by LaurieG

So if I take care of those things and the timing still doesn't seem right I guess it wasn't the right path for my my life after all.

Sigh--I know, I know. I really do know. No pressure! Just enthusiasm on your behalf

For best results, we should follow our hearts....and our wisdom and common sense, too. So my prayer for you is that you will take good care of you and yours, and be happy, and only welcome new LOs if/when that is what is best for you and yours.

Hey.... I will be in Belleville for an ICAN mtg on Oct 7th, 10:30 to noonish. If there is any chance of lunch together, or a bit of afternoon chat, pm me! Otherwise, October is looking a bit quieter for me than the last couple months have been--but still having regular (2x wk or more) to the city. So, if not the 7th, then perhaps soonish? PM me... it would great to see you and baby, er, the young lady now I guess

[zonapellucida]

I am 40 and birthing at home so I suppose it is due to mothers health, mw comfort ect

[LaurieG]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

Sigh--I know, I know. I really do know. No pressure! Just enthusiasm on your behalf

For best results, we should follow our hearts....and our wisdom and common sense, too. So my prayer for you is that you will take good care of you and yours, and be happy, and only welcome new LOs if/when that is what is best for you and yours.

Hey.... I will be in Belleville for an ICAN mtg on Oct 7th, 10:30 to noonish. If there is any chance of lunch together, or a bit of afternoon chat, pm me! Otherwise, October is looking a bit quieter for me than the last couple months have been--but still having regular (2x wk or more) to the city. So, if not the 7th, then perhaps soonish? PM me... it would great to see you and baby, er, the young lady now I guess

I get enthusiastic too. And then E wakes me at 1:30, and 2:30, and 3:00, and 4:00 and my enthusiasm is dampened a bit.

I PM'ed you.

[MsBlack]

Ah yes, reality!

Well, I guess you have to at least let the last baby finish being quite so much a baby, let her have her turn before inviting the next one. For sanity's sake!

[caro113]

My MW works primarily with the Amish (yay for Lancaster Co, PA) and she said she's done homebirths (that's all she does) with girls as young as 16 and women as old as in their 40s. I know she would be comfortable with homebirthing a woman older. She's just a fantastic woman.

I think it really depends on the MW but most wouldn't have a problem. At least I wouldn't think so.

[Sijae]

I don't see what it has to do with the midwife. I suppose whether you can get a midwife to attend you is one thing but the inherent safety of birth is not determined by the person who attends it, it just IS.

[mrscompgeek]

My mom had my baby brother at home when she was 41. Perfectly healthy, normal delivery!

[Ruthla]

Originally Posted by Sijae

Menopause?

My thinking as well!

But, as women get older, we have more time to aquire different health issues. Many women are less healthy at 45 than they were at 20- though this certianly isn't universal. So, it's more likely for an older woman to "risk out" of HB than a younger mom, not because of age, but because of specific health issues that may crop up.

Most women are healthy enough to birth at home at any age. Some women are even more healthy when they're older if they've put in effort to take better care of themselves and do some major healing.

Have another baby when you're ready (or when you accidentally conceive, whichever comes first. ) and don't worry about "being too old for a HB" being a factor. Who knows? Maybe you'll have another baby at 38 and then ANOTHER when you're over 40!

[BirthTender]

older women & homebirth

I have helped women as yougn as 15 & as old as 43. I had a client at one time who was 48. However, she moved far away about 3 months beofr she was due & had a homebirth in her new area. I would have carried on with her. It all depends on the health of the mother, her history, etc. All this is mentioned in my Informed Choice papers that it depends.