Questions for Older Moms

[Buddhamom]

I have a lot of questions. My midwife's office just called to say they just realized I was 40 and wanted to do an ultrasound tomorrow before I go to the first visit on Nov. 2. Why would they do that? What are they looking for? Also, we are hoping to transfer to a homebirth midwife so have any of you done a homebirth 40 or older? I was on cloud nine until they just called and said that. I am so nervous because I know if anything goes wrong this it is, no second chance as we have infertility problems. This was a natural surprise conception and not assisted by the way.

[lillymonster]

I would assume it was a dating u/s and had nothing to do with age. If you are 12 weeks, then I assume it would be an nt u/s where they do the testing for down's, so I guess it depends how far along you are. nt u/s are now becoming standard or offered to every mother, regardless of age now

[Buddhamom]

I am 5 weeks. They scheduled a routine one for 9 weeks and then called later to say since I am 40 they want to do one tomorrow before the official appt.

[BunnySlippers]

I would call them back and ask why before making any decisions on this.

Im guessing it is to check for chromosone abnormalitites.

[karen1968]

I think the incidence of early miscarriage goes up with age - due to chromosomal abnormaliies as our eggs age. I would defintely ask why before consenting. I see no reason for it if you don't want it, honestly. I'm not sure what they could learn at 5weeks?? They'd be lucky to see a fetal pole, IIRC. Perhaps they want to make sure it isn't ectopic?

I am currently 41 (42 in mid-November) and nearly 33w pregnant with a very healthy little girl. I was also pregnant last summer, and signed up with HB midwives. I didn't have an early u/s, and unfortunately had spotting and was diagnosed with a missed miscarriage at 10w4d (embryo had died at 7w2d).

I am again signed up with HB midwives, but just transferred to hospital CNMs due to placenta previa. If it clears, I will go back to the HB mw. I know a 42-year-old woman who birthed an 11 pound girl at home (her third birth). Age shouldn't be a factor!

[lillymonster]

Originally Posted by Buddhamom

I am 5 weeks. They scheduled a routine one for 9 weeks and then called later to say since I am 40 they want to do one tomorrow before the official appt.

That seems odd to me, personally. If you can, I would opt out of it. I am not sure the reason. I got one at 8 weeks, which kind of surprised me because I didn't get it the first time, but I didn't have an issue at 8 weeks. 5 weeks seems kind of early.