How is "advanced maternal age" treated in a hospital?

[Phoebe]

I am really just curious. I know that my midwife won't treat me
any differently than she did for my past 3 births. I just wonder of it really is a big deal to some OBs. And what extras does it entail?

[~Adorkable~]

very interested to see what is shared here, been wondering the same thing. i know one birth center i was briefly looking at put tighter cut offs for various things on mothers of AMA

[staceychev]

I wasn't treated any differently in the hospital. My midwife had me see a MFM doc during the pregnancy, but I think that's more because of my thyroid, though. (I'm 37 by the way.)

[MaerynPearl]

I think your definition of advanced maternal age would have to be clarified to know if there would be anything treated different... as I could see a 49 year old being treated differently but likely not a 39 year old.

[evabea]

My doc has never mentioned anything about age except for recommending a CVS test earlier. I'm 38. I saw the AMA wording for the first time recently while we both looked at my computer records. Other than maybe our eggs, I think everyone ages differently.

[~Adorkable~]

Well AMA is 35 regardless of whether we deserve it. Certainly past that there are other age specific concerns that come later, I think what the op was asking about was differences that came regardless of other personal health issues.
An example is I had a friend once told that the hospital had a point system to determine certain interventions and AMA women had a point deed just for that! So she would be over the " line " sooner than a younger women. It affected how many hours they would let her push for and things like that. I have not heard about this being in wide spread use, but have always wondered.

[karika]

I was 38 when I had dd2 and no one ever mentioned anything about my age. I did the birth natural, but at a hospital. I had no IV.

[NicolleLynne]

I'm 39 and aside from being offered genetic testing at the beginning of my pregnancy, age has never been mentioned since. I see an OB and am delivering at a hospital. As far as I can tell I get the same treatment as a non-AMA mama.

[aikigypsy]

I was over 35 for my first pregnancy, and still am! I think the main thing is that they encourage older mothers to go for more testing -- in my case it was a nuchal translucency scan at 11 weeks for my first pregnancy, and a 2nd level ultrasound at 17 weeks for my 2nd, current pregnancy. When it comes to labor and delivery, I don't think age makes any significant difference, but being in better physical shape can help.

[umsami]

I've been AMA for all four of my pregnancies. Honestly, I haven't noticed a difference except for offering the nuchal translucency scan (which may be becoming standard, I have no idea). We had it done with DD1, but not with this baby.

I do get treated differently because of my gestational diabetes, but so far, my age hasn't been an issue (41 almost 42 when this little one comes).

[soso-lynn]

From what I have seen, the difference in care seems to happen around 39-40 and is much more apparent for first time mothers.

For women with an extensive pregnancy/childbirth history, that history would dictate care a lot more, perhaps with the doctor getting a little more cautious as years pass.

[MaerynPearl]

I was offered genetic testing with this one... I was told its becoming standard (which bothers me a bit...)

I declined as I have no family history, no risk factors and I will not opt to terminate the pregnancy anyway.

I wont be 35 for another 7 1/2 years...

[karen1968]

I heard a doc (not mine) say AMA determines health of your eggs, chances of conception and chances of genetic abnormalities - hence the extra testing that is pushed. Beyond that, AMA is considered "dangerous" because IN GENERAL, older women are not as fit or healthy as younger women (chances of them going into pregnancy with back issues, HBP, or diabetes are higher). But if you are generally healthy and fit, there is no greater risk.

I was 38 when DS was born and will be 41/42 with this one (depending on timing!) and wasn't treated "old" except for having an amnio pushed at me (which I declined).

[mediumcrunch]

Total non-issue for current OB. Last OB offered MFM consult and genetic testing besides that he also was non-plussed by it.