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Would you be induced ?
I am 40 weeks, and my Dr said they would schedule my induction for sometime during the 41st week. I have read conflicting things about full term, in some countries 38 weeks is standard, in others it is 40. Lots of people here seem to go until 42 weeks... I am confused about the reasoning behind it all. I oppose an induction in general because the risk of additional interventions increases and I REALLY don't want to have a C-section unless it is medically necessary. I also acknowledge the fact that this baby may not come on it's own before 42 weeks( my mother went 2 wks late on more than one child) which seems to be the limit. If I have to induce, will it make a difference how it goes at 41 vs 42 wks ? Educate me please.
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Re: Would you be induced ?
In what countries is 38 weeks standard for delivery?
I would not be induced until 42 weeks, as long as they have made sure the baby is okay. I went 15 days past my due date and had a NST during my 41st week to make sure everything was okay.
My practice won't normally let you go past 41 weeks b/c they find more complications from having big babies than from failed inductions - basically they are taking the position that the best chance for a safe and smooth delivery is to do it by 41 weeks. They also won't induce a first time mom before her due date. 2+ moms can be induced after 39 weeks.
Personally, I would want to be induced after I hit the EDD, but that's just me. Good luck!!
yeah, I agree with this
On average (according to one source), women go 41.5 weeks until natural labor sets in.
On the other hand, letting the pregnancy go too long (past 42 weeks) is dangerous because the placenta will start to deteriorate.
This is all just what I have heard.
Yes, but before 41 weeks. With #1 I was induced at 41w3d. It was a very difficult labor which led me to push four hours. LO had ingested meconium into his lungs prior to delivery, which occurs most often in postdate births (and probably from fetal stress). It was a long time after delivery before he could breath. I didn't mind the induction, but I think it should have been done earlier rather than bothering with two weeks of NSTs leading to a difficult delivery. Baby was big (for my size), it took a full episiotomy, and vacuum suction. Recovery was awful. I had a shot of pain every time I sat for 6 months post delivery. With my #2 I was induced at 40w5d. Aside from subsequent deliveries being easier in general, LO weighed 1.5 lbs. less than #1, delivery was 1/3 the time. With #3 my late induction plan is for 40w6d. My current OB is willing to induce starting at 39w, but won't go past 41w due to the complications that arise. He currently averages 28 deliveries per month so I trust him. Best wishes to you!
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