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Age as a ruling out factor for homebirth?  

post #1 of 15
12/1/07 at 11:34pm
Thread Starter 
Okay, this is probably a dumb question, but the topic came up recently on a pregnancy board that I am frequenting. A woman commented on how I would most likely be ruled out for a homebirth because I am currently 38 yrs old and will be 39 when the baby comes. I know the midwives in my area have not ruled me out. I am healthy, never had complications with any of my pregnancies although my dds have come at 36-37 weeks and my ds came at 39 weeks - all healthy and not needing any assistance.

Would you rule out a mom of my age (this will be baby number 8) strictly on age?
post #2 of 15
12/1/07 at 11:36pm
No way! To me, your age isn't an issue at all. 16 or 46, your body can still birth your baby just fine.
post #3 of 15
12/2/07 at 12:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lennon View Post
No way! To me, your age isn't an issue at all. 16 or 46, your body can still birth your baby just fine.
Thanks that is what I thought I just wanted to check because I was wondering if it was more area related or not.
post #4 of 15
12/2/07 at 12:32am
A lot of OB's like to label all women as 'high risk' if they are 35 and older. : While the rate of genetic abnormalities does increase with age, there is no increased risk as far as growing and birthing your baby.
post #5 of 15
12/2/07 at 2:27am
I haven't heard of that happening.... at least not around here. I can't imagine telling someone they couldn't have a homebirth based completely on their age.
post #6 of 15
12/2/07 at 4:39am
What makes an over 35 mama high risk are two things: the higher risk of chromosomal problems, and the higher potential for preexisting medical problems.

If there is no pre existing medical problem, then there isn't a problem.

I would be more comfortable if an over 35 mama got a level II ultrasound, but I wouldn't rule her out of a home birth if she felt strongly about not wanting one.
post #7 of 15
12/2/07 at 4:46am
DS2 was born at home 3 weeks to the day before my 40th birthday. My mw never said a thing about my age.
post #8 of 15
12/2/07 at 12:27pm
I'm a homebirth midwife, pregnant and 35... and honestly never even thought that someone wouldn't take me for my age... I guess because it doesnt matter in my practice.
post #9 of 15
12/3/07 at 6:56pm
thats stupid, especially with your having other kids, your vagina or pelvis doesnt magically close up shop and disappear when youre 39 as long as there are no health problems with the pregnancy or baby, what should you be ruled out for the birth itself for?
post #10 of 15
12/3/07 at 7:08pm
I noticed she said she thought she would probably be risked out because of her age. Sounds like she didn't actually talk to a midwife and hear that directly.

I would be surprised to hear of a homebirth midwife risking-out a woman based on age.
post #11 of 15
12/3/07 at 7:33pm
Age would not rule you out in my practice!
post #12 of 15
12/4/07 at 12:01am
Perhaps the woman who posted that lived in one of the states that is heavily regulated? What about Florida? Or CA? Anybody know?
post #13 of 15
12/4/07 at 11:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by onelilguysmommy View Post
thats stupid, especially with your having other kids, your vagina or pelvis doesnt magically close up shop and disappear when youre 39 as long as there are no health problems with the pregnancy or baby, what should you be ruled out for the birth itself for?
Honestly I don't know, and know that the midwives in my area wouldn't rule me out based on age. I was just curious if it was regional and if other areas normally rule out based on age. I didn't think they did, but the person I was talking to was sure that midwives in her area ruled out based on age.

Could have been an excuse so she doesn't have to check into midwifery care - don't really know
post #14 of 15
12/4/07 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by courtenay_e View Post
Perhaps the woman who posted that lived in one of the states that is heavily regulated? What about Florida? Or CA? Anybody know?
Not Florida, here it's under 14 and over 44 before you need a consult with an OB, but even that doesn't necessarily mean being risked out.

Don't they know 40 is the new 30?:

I don't know any midwives who would risk you out based on your age....it certainly wouldn't be an issue for me.
post #15 of 15
12/4/07 at 6:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tlcdoula View Post
Honestly I don't know, and know that the midwives in my area wouldn't rule me out based on age. I was just curious if it was regional and if other areas normally rule out based on age. I didn't think they did, but the person I was talking to was sure that midwives in her area ruled out based on age.

Could have been an excuse so she doesn't have to check into midwifery care - don't really know
oh, i hope you dont think i put the at YOU, i was chuckling at the thought!

i know what you mean, it just baffles me how someone whos had kids already could possibly had this as a problem, barring some sort of pregnancy complication itself.
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