How late would you go without being induced?

The_Jen626 · March 2009

Went to the Dr. today for my 39 week visit, and still not dilated or effaced at all yet. I really don't want to be induced, at all. My Mom carried really late with both of her pregnancies and had totally calm labors and happy normal sized babies both times.

The Dr. said that she "will want to start an induction coversation at 41w, and will have to induce by 41w5d at the latest". They want to go ahead and get me on the L&D calendar at my next visit, just in case. They also have set me up for NST scans, which check the baby's heartbeat and make sure the fluid levels are normal. I have two of those visits next week.

Am I crazy for wanting to wait until 41w5d to be induced? I'm uncomfortable, sure, but I am a firm believer that babies will come when they want to, and I don't want to evict her before she's ready.

MidwestTexan · March 2009

My OB told me that if I don't go into labor by my due date of May 31, she will either induce me on June 4 if my cervix looks favorable or June 8 at the latest.

evenstar622 · March 2009

You're not crazy at all!!!! I wouldn't want to be induced either. Everyone I've known who has been induced had very long, drawn out labors. And you are stuck in the hospital the whole time. It would be much more pleasant to go through the first part at home, and THEN go to the hospital.

Doodlebugz · March 2009

I would never wait past 41 weeks... the mortality/stillbirth rate increases dramatically around 42 weeks. I would rather have a failed induction or a c-section than risk the health and well being of my baby.

MrsThomas2Be · March 2009

Not at all....I completely understand your reasoning. If I were in your situation, I would want the same. Hopefully your baby will decide to come on his/her own and you want even have to worry about being induced. Good luck!

rbidi · March 2009

With my first, I went the full two weeks after due date, and she came 1 day before they would've made me induce. With the second, I was one week overdue. I'll go as long as medically safe, which is 41 wks for my doc.

GigiFairy · March 2009

Doodlebugz:
I would never wait past 41 weeks... the mortality/stillbirth rate increases dramatically around 42 weeks. I would rather have a failed induction or a c-section than risk the health and well being of my baby.

Ditto this. You can always schedule it for around 41 weeks and pray you go earlier.

libbyann · March 2009

If your doctor thinks it's safe to wait that long, then no, I don't think you're crazy. I believe that my doctor knows more than me - she will want to induce at 41 weeks if I haven't gone on my own by then, and that is perfectly fine with me! After all, I can do all the research I want, but I still don't have a medical degree.

smiley007 · March 2009

My office won't let you go more than 42 weeks. I just scheduled an induction for March 30th.. I'll be 41w2days

The_Jen626 · March 2009

Doodlebugz:
I would never wait past 41 weeks... the mortality/stillbirth rate increases dramatically around 42 weeks. I would rather have a failed induction or a c-section than risk the health and well being of my baby.

Oh scary! Ok, now it's time for a more detailed discussion with my Dr.

llonghauser · March 2009

I'm 40 weeks tomorrow... and my DR said that she hopes baby comes over the weekend and if not we are scheduling an induction at my Tuesday apt. My Mom was the same way, held both of us very long, but she did not dilate at all before the big day. I am 80%+ effaced and 2 cm dilated, so the DR said "All we need are contractions and you'll have a 'easy' labor." So I really think it depends on your body, but most DR these days are nervous about stillbirths and prefer to keep a close eye on you for your safety as well as the baby's. I hope things will progress for you before they have to be helped along!

rickey · March 2009

my dr. said they would talk about it at 41 weeks but would let me go to 42 if everything looked good! Aghhh....

PinkBackPack · March 2009

If there aren't other issues to worry about, I would wait. You might feel a little bit different in a week though.

LindseyS0504 · March 2009

I am with you. I would wait until the last possible time to be induced.

dmogmo · March 2009

Doodlebugz:
I would never wait past 41 weeks... the mortality/stillbirth rate increases dramatically around 42 weeks. I would rather have a failed induction or a c-section than risk the health and well being of my baby.

I agree. My doc waits 7-10 days, but has already told me if we go that route it would like be a week after - I would be fine with that.

clyoungsey · March 2009

I would go at least, 2 weeks. My sister has delivered three boys naturally, each 2 weeks after the due date. They were all perfectly healthy, happy, of normal weight, but they were all long too (24 in).

jtimestwo · March 2009

My doctor has a similar policy to many others mentioned.. 7-10 days past my due date, assuming everything looks ok at 40 weeks (when they do an u/s & sometimes a NST). I'm really hoping to avoid an induction, and based on my slow but steady progress, they *think* i'll go into labor on my own. But of course, I'll go along with whatever is safest for the baby. Crossing fingers....

She did say they will schedule the induction at the 40 week appt, just to get me on the calendar, but hopefully we'll be able to cancel.

AshleyKass · March 2009

My OB only lets me to to 41 weeks so nothing past that.

angel555 · March 2009

I don't think you're crazy at all. It's my "plan" to wait until the baby's ready (whenever that is) and have a natural childbirth. Even if that means waiting until 42 weeks. IMHO, as it stands now, the baby will come when she's ready. Barring any complications or stress to the baby, that's the plan I'll be sticking with. In fact, I've kinda mentally prepared myself to deliver anytime between 38 and 42 weeks. I was late and so was my brother, so I'm kinda expecting her to be late, too.

Watch her surprise me!

mlefebvre · March 2009

Oh man, I have got the same question/issue! I have my next dr visit this afternoon, but I have a feeling I've made no progress and like you I am not pro induction... My due date is just around the corner, and as much as I am getting irritated with the "checking on you" phone calls, I'd like to let nature run its course!!

At my practice the docs usually induce at 41 weeks... I've been talking to baby, praying for him/her to get out, walking miles and miles every day.

Maybe s/he will come out before any induction talk or appt!!

brian&al82005 · March 2009

Just had this talk with Dr yesterday...

They will only let someone go 41 weeks. She said there's no benefits or scientific data to support waiting any longer then that. She said things are more likely to go wrong after 41 weeks.

Being that far along I haven't heard too many horror stories about being induced. At that point she said bodies are ready, they just need a little extra help! I don't want to be induced either but I will go with what she recommends.

kenandlaura06 · March 2009

I wouldn't want to go more than 10 days past due, but if the NST showed baby was happy and healthy in there, I would defer to what my doctor wants.

Mama-Bear · March 2009

I wanted to go up to 10 days late when I was pg with DS. The doc can't force you to induce, so if you're not ready, you're not ready. FYI, when I had DS, I was fingertip, 70%, -1 on a Monday, and had him that Saturday night. GL.

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