How Far Past Your Due Date?

MoMandA

My OB called me herself this morning and said that she wants me to go in tomorrow for an AFI and a growth check. She said that I had to do it BEFORE my appointment with her and was being super pushy about it. I was kind of surprised that she called me herself.

I already agreed to a RCS on 6/24 if I am still pregnant at 41W6D and I am okay with that. But her call made me very nervous about tomorrow's appointment.

At 37 weeks the baby was estimated to be 7lb12oz.

I called my local ICAN chapter to see what my options are if she pushes a RCS for the baby's size and I have some, but they are not ideal either. 

If you have an OB that actually supported a VBAC, how long did they let you stay pregnant?  And do you think I am paranoid or would that call worry you too?

 

MAprincess

That call would worry me.  I feel like she shouldn't be able to push that on you over the phone like that.  My CNM let me go to 41 weeks and then induced me.  I am sure if it were up to her she would have let me go longer, but the hospital I delivered in did not allow VBACs after 41 weeks.  To be fair, I believe she fudged my due date by a few days to try to give me more time too.  But she was SO supportive and knew that I wanted to VBAC and avoid a c/s unless medically necessary.  I was really lucky to have her as a provider.

lorryfach

I would have been allowed to go to 42 weeks. I don't think 41 weeks is unreasonable, but this call sounds weird. Has an AFI/growth check been mentioned before? If not, did she say why it suddenly became important? What changed?

myantonia

I'm allowed 41 weeks no questions asked (or so she said! ).  After that, she'll consider longer based on NST, baby's growth, etc.

 

I agree, that call would make me nervous too!  Can you bring DH with you to your appointment just so you have "backup" in case you need to make your case? 

lkf041

I'm allowed to go to 41 weeks.  That kind of call would get more worked up too...even if the baby is big you can still turn down the RCS.  

+diana82+

lkf041:

I'm allowed to go to 41 weeks.  That kind of call would get more worked up too...even if the baby is big you can still turn down the RCS.  

Ditto. My doctor will probably ask me to schedule a growth u/s soon which is fine, especially since I think baby is breach at the moment (not that there isn't plenty of time for her to turn, but still I'm curious).  BUT I asked her point blank if she would change her mind on the vbac if baby was "big" since she has said she like it if she is smaller than her brother (who was only 8lbs at 41+ weeks).

She said, as she's said all along, that it will be 100% my choice either way in that case.  Unless she completely changes her tune out of nowhere, I think the only things that would change that are some health issue or a breach baby.   

Luv4Minnesota

My OB says she'll let me go to 42 weeks--but I do fear calls like this and it would definitely freak me out.  Let us know what happens!

But also to reiterate PP-even if the growth u/s shows a big baby you don't have to agree to a RCS.  I wonder what they would say if you told them you didn't want to have another u/s b/c its results wouldn't change your decision?

And...whats an AFI?

lorryfach

amniotic fluid index

cwifekmom

My doctor lets you go to 42 weeks before he will induce (slowly with pit) but I know he has let people go a few days over 42 as well.

.Fancy.

My Dr is recommending 41 weeks max. There was worry baby was "big" and baby was measuring 7lbs 7oz at 36 weeks. So basically if they are right (they are off A LOT) baby will be about 8-11lbs at birth. My Dr said unless baby was estimated above 11lbs, there is no reason I can't still VBAC, especially since they are usually off. I would be concerned by the call and also think bringing DH to your next appointment sounds like a good idea. Also, writing down any questions you may have ahead of time.

rssnlvr

My OB had me schedule the RC/S at 40w, 4d (could have waited one more day, but the hospital didn't have any openings the next day). He said that studies show that for ever day past your due date you go, the success rate of a VBAC drops by 10% or so. Luckily I went into labor in my own at 40w, 3d, so it was a moot point.

Brownie_222

That would worry me. Stick to your guns!

611bride05

That's tough-  I hope you go into labor before then and don't have to worry about it!

My OB told me last week that I could go to 41 weeks and that's it.  She did say that she will not give me cervadil but if my cervix is favorable she will give me a very low dose of pitocin before doing a RCS.