Over 40 mama's question

[delaneymom]

We had an anatomy ultrasound yesterday, and everything looks good with our baby-due in March. I'm currently 42, and my birthday is 2 days before the edd-so I could be 43 when the baby is born. I had my first baby at 36, and the second a week after I turned 40. They were both normal, healthy pregnancies. Our first was a hospital c-section and I think I had 2 or 3 us, but no other tests. Our second was a homebirth and I had one us and no other tests. I thought the us doctor was a bit of a butt-quoted a bunch of scary statistics, etc. and was pushing us to do an amnio (which we won't do) and 2-3 more us to make sure the baby doesn't have any heart or bowel defects because of my age, and also because I'm planning a homebirth. I wasn't planning any other tests or us. We'll discuss this with our mw of course, but I'm interested to hear if any other mamas over 40 (or any age) decided to have more testing done, and if you would or wouldn't do it over again.

TIA for sharing!

[spargel]

I'll admit, I'm only 39, but that still puts me in the geriatric mom club.

I'm at 25 weeks. The only extra testing we've done has been ultrasounds, and that's primarily because if there are any significant problems, I need to deliver at an alternate hospital than the one I plan to because we have no NICU here. I skipped all of the bloodwork tests (because they are skewed if you are older), I refused an amnio, and screening for CF. I come from a long line of people who have normal, healthy babies. I also know that all of those tests would probably just make me worry (I'm a natural born-worrier) so for peace of mind, it was best for me to skip them. Honestly, I don't think having time to prepare for a birth defect would really help me, so why bother to have several months to worry about it! Luckily, my OB is completely supportive and just provides options - and has never pressured me into anything (so far!) I think I've made the right decision because so far, it's been a wonderful, stress-free, and enjoyable pregnancy.

[Cassaba]

I am 42 and expecting our first at the end of November. I had weekly u/s from 16-22 weeks, but only because I've had surgery on my cervix and my CNM wanted to keep an eye on my cerivcal length. The u/s had nothing to do with my age. I also had the big 20 week anatomy u/s. Other than the GTT and "routine" blood tests for STDs, etc., I haven't had any others. I let them draw blood when they were looking for things wrong with me, but I didn't let them do tests for baby. I passed up the NT, the quad screen, amnio, and am also forgoing the 32 week "growth" u/s.

[SleeplessMommy]

We had the bloodwork done (quad screen?) plus nucal fold measurement in the first trimester and a 2nd trimester ultrasound. CF risk is not age dependent, AFAIK, though I had the genetic test prior to conceiving. We did not do an amnio.

Successful home birth

[finnegansmom]

I'm not 42 but I will be 39 next month and am due in Feb.
I had the nuchal fold US and then the 20 week US.
I will do the strep B and the diabetes test although blood sugar is usually really low during pregnancy, I'm not too worried about it and would skip it but then again, it's noninvasive in my eyes.

I was told I could have amnio, even after I got my nuchal fold results that showed my risk of genetic issues being much lower than my age-only risk. I honestly kind of think some Dr's push some procedures because they are getting paid to do them. If they charge $300 for an US and $2500 for amnio well then...I can see $ in their eyes.

I know people who have had amnio because it was offered and they assumed well then I guess I "need it". I'm sure there are instances where it's applicable that may or may not be age related.

Why would you need to do 2-3 more US to detect heart or bowel issues? I mean, if you had the 20 week anatomy US couldn't they see it there? Not to be snarky but if it takes them 3-4 ultrasounds to detect an issue with the baby's heart, perhaps they need to either get better equipment or more highly trained techs...
They should be able to detect a heart defect on the first try with a high powered US.
Just saying....

[lillymonster]

When I was 36, I had 20 week u/s and quad screen and then non stress testing - so a u/s at like 37 weeks

I will be 40 when #2 is born - I had a dating u/s, then nt u/s, 20 wk u/s, then I will have a biophysical profile with an u/s because I am vbac and they want to check on things Whatever - I don't mind it late in the game if it means I can have a vbac. I use midwives, so I don't feel they pressure me into anything, but I do want to be careful if I am overdue.

Anyway I turned down amnio both times. I can't imagine any heart/bowel issues showing up a few weeks later that didn't show up on the 20 wk. My friend's baby had a cleft palate they discovered at 20 weeks, so I think a heart or bowel issue would be more obvious - I am just guessing here though. I can't imagine 2 extra u/s for that reason alone - and I don't know why your age would have anything to do with that - I have never heard age being a factor in heart problems or bowel problems. And why only those two issues? I personally would turn those down.

[2goingon2]

Congratulations!

I am 42 and pregnant with #5, due sometime in December. I have been pregnant and/or nursing since 2007 and didn't get any further testing with the last two other than ultrasounds. My doctor never pushed and was perfectly fine with our decision.

I had 3 u/s with the last two and have already had 2 with this little guy. My doctor wants to do one more around Thanksgiving. I'm fine with it. I'm not bothered by u/s though I know some women are and that is a personal decision.

Good luck with your pregnancy!

[pregnant@40]

I had an amnio and several ultrasounds, and yes, would do them again. However, they were always my choice. My provider (OBGYN) never pushed them on me, and just offered them as an option. I'm not a "high risk" pregnancy at age 40 due to good health, and I have no family history of genetic problems. Providers need to offer statistics, research, and info, since we're PAYING them for that info so that we can make informed decisions, but docs & other providers have no right to force their patients into decisions.

[delaneymom]

Originally Posted by finnegansmom

Why would you need to do 2-3 more US to detect heart or bowel issues? I mean, if you had the 20 week anatomy US couldn't they see it there? Not to be snarky but if it takes them 3-4 ultrasounds to detect an issue with the baby's heart, perhaps they need to either get better equipment or more highly trained techs...
They should be able to detect a heart defect on the first try with a high powered US.
Just saying....

Haha-that's true. I think he wanted to rule out Down's Syndrome and any related heart or bowel issues that come with that. He mentioned those specifically, and didn't feel like he could do that with only one ultrasound. ?

I should have been more specific-him telling me the stats weren't necessarily a problem, but he didn't come into the room until I was laying down with my skirt half off my butt and paper over my belly. I wasn't comfortable, and I felt like it would have been better bed-side manner if he really wanted to give me what he felt was important information to do it at a desk or at least when I was sitting up with my clothes on.

I don't think I'm necessarily opposed to another ultrasound-I'm just not sure I see the point of it. From what he said, I didn't get the impression that the specific issues he mentioned would develop over the course of my pregnancy...

Thanks!

[karen1968]

I'm 41, and will be 42 at my EDD. I had an early u/s because of a history of 1st tri miscarriages. Because we are planning a homebirth and wanted to make sure baby was OK to birth at home, we did a 20-week anatomy scan. I was offered an amnio at that time, and refused. The perinatologist didn't push, although he did give the full speil. As I told him, if soft markers were discovered during the anatomy scan, then I would CONSIDER amnio, but not before (and esp. not with a history of losses and knowing this was our last pregnancy!)

Everything is OK with baby, but unfortunately I have previa, reconfirmed by another ultrasound at 32 w.

[JudiAU]

We did cvs and a 20w ultrasound when I was 36. Assuming we have another, I'll probably be 38 and will do the same thing. I go to a very experienced specialist and the cvs risk is very low. Worth it for piece of mind.

[Debbielux]

Iam 42 and preg with first baby.

Concieved on Dec 7 or 8th.

Scared and happy at same time.

I wonder how different testing is

here over in Europe?

The Doctors seem to be very

confident and fine with my age.

I am the one who is freaked out :-)

[delaneymom]

Congratulations!

My midwife has no issue with my age-thankfully.  I'm guessing if I were seeing an ob/gyn here in the US though they would have pushed for a lot more tests.

[Buddhamom]

I am 40 and we had a couple of viability US in the beginning and other than that the only test we are doing is the 18 week scan tomorrow.  No AFP or amnio regardless to what they say. Hope that helps. Our midwife has been fine with that as we are healthy and have a healthy family history.

[roslyn]

I was 45 when I conceived. Will be 46 when I give birth. Due to having had two late term losses (14 and 20 weeks), and having had both a c-section and uterine fibroid surgery I did do the first trimester screening. The results from that were good and I declined to have the amnio. Both my OB and my neonatologist are okay with that decision and haven't pressured me at all. I do have an ultrasound each month when I see the neonatologist, though I don't when I see the OB. I had an early GTT because undiagnosed gestational diabetes caused my second loss. I'll have another one at 28 weeks. Other than that, I'm having no other testing. My doctors haven't cited any scary statistics at me -- probably because I already know them all. They are generally encouraging and remind me that I'm NOT the worst they've ever seen. My OB had a 48 year old with all manner of health problems deliver a healthy baby, so she tells me that I have nothing to worry about. Doesn't keep me from worrying, but then nothing ever has. 

[Debbielux]

you look incredible, Roslyn!!

[roslyn]

Thanks Debbielux!

[Debbielux]

I'm out :-(  the cells quit dividing, probably a few days ago.

I was 7 weeks preg.  At least it happened now,early on.

So, here I am, in a foreign country going in to get a D&C

next week.  At least in Luxembourg the medical is free and

they will put me under for it and I stay in the hospital overnite too.

[Buddhamom]

Sorry to hear about your loss!  I hope you find peace with this!

[delaneymom]

I'm so sorry.