Protocol for over 40 mothers

[Peachy]

At my doctor's visit last week, they let me know that their practice follows a protocol for monitoring women who are over 40 very closely in their last 8 weeks of pregnancy. They do this for everyone over 40, even if they don't have risk factors or problems with their pregnancies. Has anyone else experienced or heard of this?

So, since I turned 40 in June, now I will be visiting them TWICE a week. I have a full schedule made up for Tuesday and Friday appointments. Tuesdays are ultrasound, non-stress test, and exam, and Fridays are non-stress tests only. This was my first week, and I felt like I spent the whole morning with my belly exposed so that it could be examined!

I guess it's good that they do this, but it's making this pregnancy business a lot of work!

 

[dcat]

Hi Peachy -
I didn't realize they stepped it up quite so much past 40. Considering the higher risks associated with pregnancy past 40 it doesn't surprise me too much. We'd like to try for #2 soon and if I were to get pregnant before next May, I would be 40 when he/she arrives. With my first (now 13 months old), the appointments, tests and ultrasounds I had during the last month of pregnancy and after the due date (she arrived 12 days past due date) were comforting as it was nice to know everything was still progressing well. So I might not mind so much all the attention but I can see it being a lot of work for 8 weeks straight. I thought the non-stress tests were boring! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy. These last few weeks will fly by!
Diana

 

[gaileee]

Hi Peachy, Diana,

Hmmm, I'm 45, will be 46 next week (yikes!), and doc hasn't mentioned anything extra ordinary to me. He did say prior to me getting pregnant, that anyone my age that they doc holds his breath for the entire pregnancy and hopes for the best! I'll be sure to ask him on my next visit though (I'm 17 weeks along at the moment).

He did say that he would desire that I not go past my due date.

Lynn

 

[Peachy]

Diana, the non-stress test wasn't so bad this week, but after a few of them I know it will be as exciting as watching paint dry!

Lynn, your doctor may not require anything different for you. Mine stressed that this protocol is not uncommon, but is not practiced everywhere. And I was told that the good thing about this is that they won't let me go over either!