41+3 and counting...

juliaL13

I'm not sure why I'm writing this, except to just complain for a minute .  I'm a FTM waiting on her little guy to make an appearance....I haven't had any signs of labor yet, and it sounds silly but the more days that go by the more it feels like he's never going to come!  (Which of course is ridiculous).  I'm also feeling torn, because I want to do things completely naturally and that includes letting my body decide when it's time  & not being induced.... but the midwives/doctors at my practice want to induce me at 42 weeks (four more days!).  I know that technically I don't HAVE to let them induce me (and trust me if there was a clear medical reason that it was necessary I'd do it!) , but I have never been one to go against authority, either.  Anyway, the pessimist in me is worried that I'm going to make it to 42 weeks & have to decide what to do.  As I'm sure all moms out there know, it is so hard to wait!  I think it's harder emotionally that it is physically, if that makes any sense....

If there's anyone out there who went into labor this late in the game (or later!), & could encourage me, I'd appreciate it!

Rosebud2587

I've been in your shoes. DD was born at 42 weeks, just 3 hrs before her scheduled induction. DD came on her own and I was able to have the natural birth I wanted. Just hang in there. The waiting is emotionally draining but no one is pregnant forever. 

Helenahhandbasket

You are a trooper!

I honestly might feel a little bit worried to go past 42 weeks personally, but if you feel very strongly about a natural birth, I would totally understand your decision for no intervention.

Good luck-- I hope your LO is here very, very soon.

 

spacepotatoes

Are you being monitored right now? One of the major problems with going past 42 weeks is that the placenta begins to break down. If you're being monitored regularly and things are looking ok, you can try putting off the induction for a bit longer but it does get riskier.

I second the recommendations for natural induction methods. Hopefully something gets you going soon and you won't have to worry about the induction.

Good luck!

Justabean3

I wouldn't want to go past 42 weeks, complications start to arise

Honestly cervadil or a membrane sweep might send you into labor. You may just need a kick start

I think at some point "you" have to stop playing hero (I mean that as a general rule not you specific)

We laugh about how they used to do it in the old days but the amount of mothers that lost their babies was a ton higher.

jasrun80

definitely get you on the emotionally difficult part,,, you're inspiring,,, seems like most people want that induction ASAP these days & I'm with you,,, if you've already waited this long, then induction can seem silly if not medically necessary since, yesss : you WILL have this baby! I'm hoping tomorrow!!!!! or def by 4 days from now
my friend was 2 weeks late with each of her 3 children. she started labor slow with her first, got some pitocin at some point, then went on her own. the other two, while late, were natural starting labors without any pitocin ever! I always gave her so much credit because I'm sure she could've fought for induction (especially with 2nd or 3rd) but she never did.
hang in there & if you do get induced, good luck! mine was terrific but I still prefer going into labor naturally too!

juliaL13

Thanks everybody for the advice....Yes I realize that there can be risks with babies going past 42 weeks... I would definitely have them monitor me to make sure nothing is going wrong with the placenta, etc if I decided to wait a couple days past then. Earlier this week I had an ultrasound & everything looked great; today I had an NST and the baby did fine.  And, I understand what you're saying about not trying to be a hero-  but that's not why I'm questioning induction...if the doctors can give me specific medical reasons why I should induce labor on Tuesday I will do it.  I just think to say "we induce all mothers by 42 weeks" as a blanket policy might not always be necessary.  (For one thing, the way they calculate due dates is not an exact science, esp. since women have different cycles & ovulate at different times...so 42 weeks for one person might not actually be that late for another)  ..... sorry I'm kinda ranting & rambling now...    All that said, I respect what everyone has said here so far. And, I realize that I'm not a doctor or an expert, so I'm trying to keep an open mind as to what might happen next week.  

Justabean3

I just know with mine the cord was wrapped 2x around his neck and 1x around his torso. They didn't know until I went into labor and he stressed. They induced me at 41 weeks 4 days bc I had no progress.

If I had just let him hang out in there he would have never comes. He was wrapped so close he couldn't even get down. He also passed all the tests like NST.

I'm just saying be careful waiting too long. They pick 42 weeks for a reason that is already a medical one for the most part.

Edited: I'm not trying to scare you into it just sometimes they don't know why they aren't coming.

Rrrrrachel

I dont think theres anything wrong with waiting a few more days if youre being monitored. The main risk is the placenta aging or fluid levels dropping, and that WILL show up in monitoring. No one is saying wait forever.

beccam1230

Justabean3 said:

I just know with mine the cord was wrapped 2x around his neck and 1x around his torso. They didn't know until I went into labor and he stressed. They induced me at 41 weeks 4 days bc I had no progress.

If I had just let him hang out in there he would have never comes. He was wrapped so close he couldn't even get down. He also passed all the tests like NST.

I'm just saying be careful waiting too long. They pick 42 weeks for a reason that is already a medical one for the most part.

Edited: I'm not trying to scare you into it just sometimes they don't know why they aren't coming.

This is extremely similar to what happened with me. I was induced at 41weeks (with no progress for the previous 4 weeks) and I'm very thankful it worked out the way it did. Every time I had a contraction, it sent him into distress and I'm so happy I was being monitored from the beginning of labor. The nurses were wonderful and I had to do some flips, and I almost had an emergency c section but he was safe and healthy when he was born, despite the cord being wrapped around his neck. I really hope you go into labor soon and naturally but I do believe sometimes things happen for a reason!

Mittens14

Aww!  I feel your pain   I was late with DS, but had to be induced at 41 weeks due to the fact that my amniotic fluid was diminishing.  I have no advice for you, it's a hard decision to be faced with, but I can tell you that no matter what you decide, you won't even think about it once you hold your little guy!  Nothing will matter at that point, so try not to stress about making the decision and go with the flow.  Hugs to you!  Hope you get to meet your little one sooner rather than later!

naturaloaklandmama

Here's the thing -- a due date is based upon an estimate of when you conceived. Its just that -- an estimate. Unless you are 100% certain of the exact day that you conceived and/or your cycles were totally perfect and you know precisely when you ovulated, then your conception date is an estimate as is your due date. Certainly if they are monitoring the baby and the baby needs to come out, then an induction or other means is likely in order. However, this focus on being "past" your due date when your due date is really just a guess is SO frustrating to me in the medical world and such a common reason that women give up on their natural birth plan. I say go with your gut as guided by your healthcare professionals. 

Flyingtoast

I was 41w6d before I really started labor. I has talked to my MW and we both agreed that ESTIMATED due date it just that estimated. It's a guess based of a formula for the general population, not your individual case. We had agreed on increased monitoring past 42w and go from there. The birth process doesn't have to be interfered with, when using modern medical practices to make sure there isn't a reason to mess with it. Obviously if something comes up, that is different and get the process started.