Please explain why you would wait till 42 weeks?

luckyabby09

I guess I am at a loss as to why anyone would wait to be 2 weeks past due. The way our OB explained it, waiting more than a week past your due date can have just as many complications as having an early baby.

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I would really like to hear your point about why waiting 42 weeks is so much better than getting induced?

jessicaclare

My OB says anything past two weeks has more complications, not one week. Some OBs/midwives prefer to wait less, some like to wait the full two weeks. Its one of those things that is personal preference by both doctor and patient.

Jocelyn0415

I personally would not want to go past 41 weeks, but as long as the baby is ok and the doctor says it's fine I see no problem with people waiting until 42 weeks. I don't think many doctors will let you go past that.

Heather1979

Seriously, the thought of going one day past my due date is enough to make me BSC. I can only imagine what I'm going to feel like if I get to anything past 40 weeks.

SusieQ1982

I'd rather wait until 42 weeks with monitoring to ensure that baby is fine than be induced prior to my due date or on it. It's better for me and the baby for nature to take its course as long as there are no medical issues.

lovesazzie

jessicaclare:

My OB says anything past two weeks has more complications, not one week. Some OBs/midwives prefer to wait less, some like to wait the full two weeks. Its one of those things that is personal preference by both doctor and patient.

This. Not every baby takes 40 weeks or less to be ready to be born. Within 42 weeks is part of the normal range.

ToledoDeux

Because the risk does not increase to any substantial degree until after 42 weeks. 

Because your due date is not at 40 weeks on the dot - it's a range from 38 to 42 weeks. 

Because I'd prefer to leave it up to the baby as to when to come, unless there is a real risk to me or baby.

Because the dangers of induction far outweigh the dangers of waiting until 42 weeks, as long as NSTs are alright.

leahraewku

My doctor told me he will not even begin discussing induction until I'm beyond 41 weeks.  He said he won't let a patient go past 42 weeks.  As long as she's healthy, I see no need to force her out before she's ready.  Giving birth anywhere between 37 and 42 weeks is considered normal so I'm not going to stress until after that.

  That being said, there can be serious complications from being too overdue.  The placenta can deteriorate and the baby has a much greater chance of passing meconium into the amniotic fluid.  But this isn't a concern until AFTER 42 weeks.  Research has shown that inductions before 41 weeks do nothing to diminish the likelihood of these complications.

Mereou12

Because I'd rather go into labor naturally at 42 weeks on the dot than go through an induction on my due date or a few days after.

Like PPs have said, full term isn't always 40 weeks exactly--it's a range of 38-42. Due dates are nothing more than educated guesses.

bandwife

sazzie:

jessicaclare:

My OB says anything past two weeks has more complications, not one week. Some OBs/midwives prefer to wait less, some like to wait the full two weeks. Its one of those things that is personal preference by both doctor and patient.

This. Not every baby takes 40 weeks or less to be ready to be born. Within 42 weeks is part of the normal range.

Again, this.

We aren't all programmed to be born, to hit puberty, menopause, etc at the same time. There is an accepted normal range. OBs and MWs will all have their own opinion on what is a safe range for their patients.

My MWs have already booked me in for appointment as three and ten days post EDD. If I have no complications I will go to 42 weeks before induction unless my MW advises me otherwise.

mandaphilly

I don't know. Power to the mothers that go through with being pregnant till 42 weeks. I'm weak, if LO isn't here i want her out asap!

mrsandrews07

I would not want to go past 40 weeks, I would asked to be induced at 40 weeks and 1 day if I were to go over due...

smilelari

ToledoDeux:

Because the risk does not increase to any substantial degree until after 42 weeks. 

Because your due date is not at 40 weeks on the dot - it's a range from 38 to 42 weeks. 

Because I'd prefer to leave it up to the baby as to when to come, unless there is a real risk to me or baby.

Because the dangers of induction far outweigh the dangers of waiting until 42 weeks, as long as NSTs are alright.

this

42 weeks is perfectly normal and inductions carry risks of their own

Bonzer

I went to 42 weeks on the dot with my son and I'll do it again with this baby if I have to.

I'm a big advocate for trying to let nature take its course, not for my dr. having an excuse to bill my insurance out the ass for the cervadil-pitocin-epidural-emergency c - 5 day hospital stay , that has become so routine these days.

I really wanted him to come on his own. He didn't , but I gave him every chance I physically could and was medically permitted to.

I went in to pregnancy with the mindframe that it lasts 42 weeks and anything before that , you're just lucky.

 

MrsKellyOrBust

Bonzer:

I went in to pregnancy with the mindframe that it lasts 42 weeks and anything before that , you're just lucky.

erbear

Due dates are notoriously off. Therefore, what you think is 42 weeks might now be.

From the gal who was induced at 42 weeks and had a c-section anyway...

emmyloustu

ToledoDeux:

Because the risk does not increase to any substantial degree until after 42 weeks. 

Because your due date is not at 40 weeks on the dot - it's a range from 38 to 42 weeks. 

Because I'd prefer to leave it up to the baby as to when to come, unless there is a real risk to me or baby.

Because the dangers of induction far outweigh the dangers of waiting until 42 weeks, as long as NSTs are alright.

THIS!