I do not understand...

maryfay314

How can an ob/gyn let you go to 42 weeks? Mine doesn't mind if I get induced at 39 weeks. He said he would never let me go past 40. I know every doctor works differently but 42 weeks? I think any woman would be sooo uncomfortable. Just my thoughts.

MrsWindyCity

If there aren't any medical issues with you or the baby, why not? I'm trying not to get induced no matter what (at 42w, obviously I will have no choice), so I'm happy my OB will let me go that long in an attempt to go into spontaneous labor. 

due 01/25/10

The average pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks, they use 40 weeks as a due date because it's right smack in the middle. You technically aren't over due until you go over 42 weeks..

I'll be getting induced Tuesday and I'll be 42 weeks 1 day.. just my doctors policy to try and let the baby come naturally as there are less risks then inducing.

jknallen

I was 11 days overdue with DS before I got induced.  Almost two weeks.  It wasn't that bad really, I was hoping that DS would come on his own but after all that time he wasn't even thinking about it.  So we did induction and ended up having a csection.  This time I'm just doing the scheduled csection at 39 weeks.

SoCaliAli

Leah&Jack:

I agree, 42 is a long time, but if the baby is fine then why push it? I can't understand why an OB would induce at 39 weeks.

DD was born on her due date, but my OB would have let me go to at least ten days past. 

I agree.  My Dr. will not induce prior to 40 weeks unless there is a medical reason.  Otherwise he says it is out of convenience and not in the best interest of the baby.

Jordan525

In my opinion, "uncomfortable" isn't a good enough reason by itself to induce labor. The baby is going to come out. If there aren't any medical concerns, 42 weeks is safe.

maryfay314

I got induced at 39 wks with my first and it was the best thing I ever did. My doc does it that way because he sees how uncomfortable it gets and when his patients prefer it, he does not mind at all. It was my first labor and delivery and induction so everyone thought that it was going to take me forever to deliver. But I was thankfully in labor a total of 4hrs. I know the same thing might not happen but I think if the doc says I can if I want, I trust him completely. Besides the fact that I cant sleep now already. lol

Meli0604

due 01/25/10:

The average pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks, they use 40 weeks as a due date because it's right smack in the middle. You technically aren't over due until you go over 42 weeks..

I'll be getting induced Tuesday and I'll be 42 weeks 1 day.. just my doctors policy to try and let the baby come naturally as there are less risks then inducing.

This. I don't see why a doctor would induce at 39 weeks unless there was a problem. My doctor won't even discuss an induction until after 41 weeks (and the induction would occur closer to 42 weeks).

Shelby14

I would never use a doctor that wouldn't let me go until 42 weeks. If there are no medical problems I don't think being uncomfortable is a reason to be induced.

Jennicap

B/c your 40 week mark is an estimate and medically 38-42 weeks if fine for most low risk women to give birth during. My midwife doesn't speak induction until 42w0d which is when it should be (when there is no medical risk/problems).

maryfay314

I just find nothing wrong with getting induced at 39 weeks. I also want to know and plan when I will be in labor because I guess I am scared to be out somewhere and all of a sudden I am not near the hospital or whatnot.

peaceful

If there isn't a medical problem, why induce? I really, really do not want to be induced. If baby doesn't come by 41 weeks, I am going to have a biophysical profile to make sure everything is ok. If everything is ok then no induction and I'll be moving toward 42 weeks.

cutie420311

I'm personally glad my doctor is open to discussing induction at 39 weeks.  I was induced with DD1 at 40w3d, labor wasn't that bad, recovery wasn't bad, no problems or issues. 

Of course it could be very differnt this time around.  Or it could not.  Who knows.  But once I hit that 39 week mark, I'll be ready.

sturgeje

Jordan525:

In my opinion, "uncomfortable" isn't a good enough reason by itself to induce labor. The baby is going to come out. If there aren't any medical concerns, 42 weeks is safe.

this exactly.   

theredvixen

This may just be me being all crazy and pregnant but...

I have horribly unpredictable cycles and don't really know when I ovulated, I have this deep seated fear that my baby is actually a week or two younger than we think he is. He will either measure right on track or a little behind each week, but DH is over 6' and I was a 9+ lb baby so it is possible he is just measuring large. I want to leave him in there as long as possible to be sure that he is completely ready to greet the world, even if that means carrying him to 42 weeks.

maryfay314

I agree totally. I am more than ready at 39 weeks.

SissyKate21

maryfay314:

I just find nothing wrong with getting induced at 39 weeks. I also want to know and plan when I will be in labor because I guess I am scared to be out somewhere and all of a sudden I am not near the hospital or whatnot.

I find this to be an odd comment. Labor takes a while. It's not like in the movies where you're out shopping and then suddenly you have to rush around like a maniac trying to get to the hospital.  Typically, you have to dilate to at least 4 cm before they will even admit you at the hospital...and usually that takes a few hours anyway. 

I'm with the majority of the posters here...the baby needs to develop as much as possible before birth. Induction based on discomfort or a scheduling conflict just isn't good enough of a reason IMO. 

nattyncbride

maryfay314:

I just find nothing wrong with getting induced at 39 weeks. I also want to know and plan when I will be in labor because I guess I am scared to be out somewhere and all of a sudden I am not near the hospital or whatnot.

OK, so you find nothing wrong with being induced at 39 weeks.  I guess the same can be said for women who are happy to keep their baby cooking past 42 weeks, there is nothing wrong with that either!  Plus, I'm going to agree with the fact that 40 weeks is the mean, not a hard and fast due date. 

LittleL17

I'll be 40 wks on Tuesday, and I'm not uncomfortable at all. Even if I was, I don't want to be induced just because of that. My OB prefers not to induce unless medically necessary. If LO doesn't come by next Friday, we'll discuss induction then but only due to his size and the fact that I might not be able to have him vaginally if we wait any longer.

maryfay314

The baby is developed at 39 weeks. Fully developed actually. I am sure my ob/gyn knows what he is talking about.

DreamsBride411

My doc isn't open to induction at 39 weeks, but he did say if I haven't delivered by my due date, he'll induce the next day.

I don't understand how doctors allow people to go so far over either...  What's the difference?

maryfay314

Even if you do not agree at 39 week induction, your right...there is no difference between 40 and 42 weeks. The baby is full term anyway.

anabell0920

maryfay314:

Even if you do not agree at 39 week induction, your right...there is no difference between 40 and 42 weeks. The baby is full term anyway.

Do you not realize that determining what age your fetus is is NOT an exact science unless they know the EXACT moment of conception (IV fertilization etc). So while you are your oh so happy to induce doctor "think" your baby is 39 weeks it could easily be 37. There is a REASON labor starts on it's own. It's because your BABY is READY to come out.

 But I forgot you are uncomfortable so your baby has to evacuate....

Soon2BMrsWiley

I'm being induced tomorrow at 41w5d. I am uncomfortable, yes, but my baby is fine.  So why push it?  I still wish I could go on my own, but its not in the cards for this pregnancy.  My OB has been doing this WAY longer than me.  And he says that 40 weeks is the average for ALL pregnancies...so me being 41 weeks is not that bad.

AmandaToo

I'm not going to argue with your comfort and how overwhelming you have found it at 39+ weeks because I'm not quite there.  But there is a lot of evidence out there about why inducing early despite how ready you think the baby might be is not the best idea.  And I'm talking, statistically, not anecdotally, because I know a lot of the moms here have had really successful, happy induction stories and I can't personally speak about their decisions or question them.  We all know what's right for us.  I just think this kind of information is more convincing as to why you would avoid this over your comfort:

https://jenniferblock.com/wordpress/?page_id=7

https://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/17796664/

Nature works - no one has been pregnant forever & unless there is a sign of fetal or maternal distress, I don't think elective inductions are the best option.

RadicalDreamer143

maryfay314:

Even if you do not agree at 39 week induction, your right...there is no difference between 40 and 42 weeks. The baby is full term anyway.

What makes you think that your baby is exactly 39, or 40, or 42 weeks?  Those are estimates.  The best way I've heard it put is that there shouldn't be an EDD, it should be, "This month, at some point, your baby should be ready," with the EDD right smack in the middle.  Just because you pass the middle of the month doesn't mean your baby is fully developed.

maryfay314

And I trust my doctor with what he thinks is best. I had the same doc for my first pregnancy and delivery and my son is perfectly healthy, no complications. I trust that he knows better than I do. After all, he is the doctor not me.

maryfay314

And once again, I am going on what my doctor thinks. He has been doing this forever and he knows better than me.

RadicalDreamer143

maryfay314:

And once again, I am going on what my doctor thinks. He has been doing this forever and he knows better than me.

Then the fact that the vast majority of womens' doctors not even talking induction until 41 weeks should be completely understandable to you, considering I'm sure that we all trust our doctors in the same way you trust yours.  Saying "How can an ob/gyn let you go to 42 weeks? Mine doesn't mind if I get induced at 39 weeks. He said he would never let me go past 40. I know every doctor works differently but 42 weeks? I think any woman would be sooo uncomfortable. Just my thoughts." sounds as if you think your doctor is the be-all and end-all wise person and the rest of us are going to schmucks. 

Edit: I've been to doctors in NY and NJ.  It doesn't surprise me that your doctor wants to induce that early, that seems to be the norm there. I personally feel it is a bit rushed.

maryfay314

No hes not the be all and end all and show me where I wrote that by the way...I just think this is like a lot of  posts...people trying to start arguments for no reason.

heather_09_15_07

JamieS2006:

maryfay314:

And once again, I am going on what my doctor thinks. He has been doing this forever and he knows better than me.

Then the fact that the vast majority of womens' doctors not even talking induction until 41 weeks should be completely understandable to you, considering I'm sure that we all trust our doctors in the same way you trust yours.  Saying "How can an ob/gyn let you go to 42 weeks? Mine doesn't mind if I get induced at 39 weeks. He said he would never let me go past 40. I know every doctor works differently but 42 weeks? I think any woman would be sooo uncomfortable. Just my thoughts." sounds as if you think your doctor is the be-all and end-all wise person and the rest of us are going to schmucks. 

Edit: I've been to doctors in NY and NJ.  It doesn't surprise me that your doctor wants to induce that early, that seems to be the norm there. I personally feel it is a bit rushed.

This, exactly. Also, it's about when the baby's ready to come, not your comfort.

due 01/25/10

JamieS2006:

maryfay314:

And once again, I am going on what my doctor thinks. He has been doing this forever and he knows better than me.

Then the fact that the vast majority of womens' doctors not even talking induction until 41 weeks should be completely understandable to you, considering I'm sure that we all trust our doctors in the same way you trust yours.  Saying "How can an ob/gyn let you go to 42 weeks? Mine doesn't mind if I get induced at 39 weeks. He said he would never let me go past 40. I know every doctor works differently but 42 weeks? I think any woman would be sooo uncomfortable. Just my thoughts." sounds as if you think your doctor is the be-all and end-all wise person and the rest of us are going to schmucks. 

Edit: I've been to doctors in NY and NJ.  It doesn't surprise me that your doctor wants to induce that early, that seems to be the norm there. I personally feel it is a bit rushed.

I'm from NY and my doctor refuses to induce until you hit your 42nd week. Both ObGyn's in my area won't induce until you are passed your 40th week..

tiak15

With DS I desperately wanted to go into labor on my own! I wanted to be able to experience the excitment of not knowing when it was going to happen, having to call the dr. to see if it were time to come in, watching DH get completely flustered that "it was time", having to rush to the hospital, basically everything that you think should be happening when you go into labor. Instead DS had a completely different plan for us and I ended up HAVING to be induced, because he was measuring at 10lbs, my fluid was starting to get low, my blood pressure was starting to rise, and during an NST it showed he was starting to become far too cramped in there. Being induced sent me from NO pain to HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE pain within the first couple of hours for 18 long hours!(not to mention it was all back labor) I would have given anything to let him decide when to enter this world on his own.  I was 41 weeks at the time of induction and trust me, I was HUGE and more than uncomfortable, but I was willing to stay that way as long as it took him to decide when HE was ready, not when when I was ready. I will also do whatever I can to keep this little girl baking as long as I can until she's ready to come out. I guess to each their own on the choice of wanting to be induced. I would just never want/ask to be induced at 39 weeks. I just figure if I can make it to 39 weeks, what's a couple more weeks if it means a happy and healthy baby.