Past due--how long can they wait to induce?

amalloy1 · September 2010

I was due on Tuesday but I'm only 1cm dilated today & the baby hasn't dropped! We are so ready & everyone keeps calling to see if our baby has arrived so this is driving me absolutely crazy, and I took off work this week when I probably should have kept working! My doctor won't induce & kind of made me feel bad for asking about it, but I'm scared we might end up waiting a whole 2 weeks more!?

caprocornia · September 2010

I asked this at my appointment on Tuesday. The doctor said they will let you go a week past due day before inducing. I don't know if that's the norm or if that's just my practice. GL!

PunkyBooster · September 2010

My OB said 5 days but I asked if we could push that out to 10 days and she seemed open to that. Ideally, I can just sit on it until baby decides to come on his or her own, but I understand there can be risks associated with leaving them in there too long.

bmx4 · September 2010

I think every Dr is different, but I have not heard about people going much past 42 weeks maximum.

My Dr won't even discuss induction (unless there is a medical problem of course!) until after the due date. My due date is this Sunday so I'm going in Monday for a check and to discuss my options/his recommendations.

I also hate the thought of 42 weeks but I'm going to do what my Dr thinks is best.

MSC03 · September 2010

The longest my MW/OB practice will allow (if all tests look good) is 42w2d.

clayswife · September 2010

The standard when I had my son was 7-10 days before chemical induction methods.

Honestly, if your body isn't ready, an induction of any kind isn't likely to take and you were only due 2 days ago. First babies are on average (I think) about 8 days "late".

Best thing you can do is RELAX I was so stressed with DS- he was 1.5 weeks late and it wasn't until I had a nice relaxing bath and a couple of sips of wine that my water broke...

bmx4 · September 2010

My first baby was 5 days early so now I'm like where the heck is this one? LOL.

RFbells · September 2010

I was induced 10 days over due with my first.

Kitiara5512 · September 2010

Most OBs wont let you go more than 2 weeks past due date before inducing. Mine will do voluntary inductions as early as 39 weeks, but goes with what the mother wants as long as it is medically safe and practical. We have discussed my desires on wanting a natural birth, so will not discuss inducing until I am at 41 weeks unless there is a medical reason.

tct1219 · September 2010

you're not overdue until after 42 weeks. the average first pregnancy in the US goes 8 days past 40 weeks and longer in other places around the world.

i would definitely make sure they're monitoring you, though, especially depending on your age because the longer you go, the amount of amniotic fluid goes down. i don't think it's supposed to start decreasing until around 42 weeks but it can differ from person to person and they should measure it via ultrasound on a regular [weekly?] basis until you deliver.

have you discussed induction techniques with your doctor? you might ask about having your membranes stripped to move things along after a certain point.

remember that even if you know your ovulation/ conception date, your due date is only an estimation and not a deadline. sometimes babies are ready earlier than that and some born at 40 weeks could have used a little more time. try to trust your body.

wife1014 · September 2010

I asked today. Unless there are issues or concerns ie.extreme swelling, loss of fluid, high bp, they will let me go to 42 weeks. I think all practices are different though.

Winter*Mommy · September 2010

Ask your doctor - every practice is different and every hospital is different.

Mine will start to discuss it (if its your first baby) about a week after. But if its your second or more baby and you've had a successful induction before, she will consider it 10 days prior to your due date if its an elective one - but that's after having a level 2 ultrasound to check on everything.

FWIW, I was induced with DD 1 day past my due date and I have zero progress... I was considered 50% effaced, but even that numbered varied based on who was checking me. I was considered "highly unfavorable" and was even told after 4 hours that if nothing had happened in the next 4 hours, I would be sent home to wait it out and they wouldn't attempt again. I delivered vaginally 16 hours after they started the entire process, so you CAN go from highly unfavorable to successful. If they had given me my epidural when I asked instead of 12 hours after I asked, I probably would have gone faster... I stalled at 5cm for 6 hours, but once I got the epi, I went from 5cm to 10cm and pushing in 30 minutes.

MTAngel · September 2010

My Dr doesn't induce before 42 weeks (unless there is a problem of course).

amalloy1 · September 2010

I haven't had an ultrasound since my 20 week ultrasound & I don't think they plan to do another one unless I have problems. It;s interesting to hear all the different responses and how different practices vary. I'm at a university hospital in Chicago & although I like the doctors in the practice, they actually make me feel like a bad mom-to-be for asking about induction. Like I'm being too impatient (which I guess I am). I just don't know why it would be such a bad thing once I'm at 40weeks.

wife1014 · September 2010

amalloy1:
I haven't had an ultrasound since my 20 week ultrasound & I don't think they plan to do another one unless I have problems. It;s interesting to hear all the different responses and how different practices vary. I'm at a university hospital in Chicago & although I like the doctors in the practice, they actually make me feel like a bad mom-to-be for asking about induction. Like I'm being too impatient (which I guess I am). I just don't know why it would be such a bad thing once I'm at 40weeks.

It's not a "bad thing", so to speak, but many times if your body isn't ready for the induction, it won't be a successful one and you could end up having a c-section. I would suggest doing some research on inductions so you know if you may/may not want to be induced.

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