References for risks of going more than 1 week past due date?

doknow

Looking for peer-reviewed journal articles, or other serious references with statistics, for the risks of letting a woman go over her due date more than 1 week. I am currently 40w3d pregnant and my OB won't let me go past 41w2d without getting induced. He claims that the risks for having a stillborn increase dramatically after being 1 week late. But I am not otherwise high risk (other than being 37, which is considered "advanced maternal age"), and really do not want to get induced before being 2 weeks late. 

Maebb

How far along are you now?

My friend went 15 days past her due date with her latest baby and 14 with the other two. But that is anecdotal evidence, not a peer-reviewed journal article.

My doctor also recommends inducing at 41 weeks, or if you insist, they'll let you go to 42, but then you have to go in every day after 41 to get checked. They say sometimes the fluids go down, or other complications related to baby's health could arise.

This article is interesting but still not a peer-reviewed article. It references the Cochrane Review but also explains why that study might not be as relevant today. Good luck with whatever you decide.

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/if-you-dont-have-this-baby-by-42-weeks-we-have-to-induce/

LadyXaverian

If you google "risks of going past 41 weeks" a ton of stuff comes up. I haven't done any research on this myself, and I haven't sifted through to see what looks reliable and what doesn't, but I'm sure you can find lots of stats to support both sides of this story.

Good luck to you.

longcat07

more anecdotal blah blah, but my OB told me the risks of going farther overdue are related to aging and deterioration of the placenta.  they won't let me go past 41w at this practice because they feel the risks associated with induction no longer outweigh the associated risks of an aging placenta.  they've been a pretty hands-off practice otherwise.

kjcrawfor

My OB gave me the deteriorating placenta shpeal too.  I haven't ever gone fishing too far for more information though...

misslizzy82

Check out Expecting Better by Emily Oster.  I'm not sure if she has anything specific about going past 41 weeks but it's worth a shot.  She gives a lot of statistics and lets you make your own decision. 

LkWillhite

I don't have any stats or articles to share with you and I'm sure everyone is different but I know two people that had stillborns after 41 weeks so it scares me but so does being induced. I asked my midwife about it and she just said after 41 weeks the placenta deteriorates and it's safer to have the baby out rather than in. Simple enough but we'll see how our conversation goes if that time comes. Good Luck!