- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
3rd Trimester
homebird
member
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
Hey "2cm 50% effaced" girl
homebird
member
We were asking you an honest question, and you didn't even have the courtesy to respond. Maybe you had a perfectly good reason for having your membranes stripped early, or maybe you didn't and other people could've learned something from the responses.
Next time, don't DD just because you don't like the answers. It's rude.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Hey "2cm 50% effaced" girl
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Being outrageously pregnant does not make it ok to strip your membranes early...
It makes people even more peeved (and liable to be snarky in all honesty) if you delete a thread. This is essentially, in message board etiquette, giving those that took the time to answer your thread a huge middle finger.
I know you said you are having a hard time at the end. Everyone is ready to be done towards the end. That doesn't mean you get permission to act irrationally and behave poorly. I understand that you made a mistake, and thank you for your apology.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
You're still not to term. 40 weeks is a term pregnancy. Stripping your membranes and doing other things to bring labor on is preemptive. If baby were ready to come, you'd be in labor.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
If her doctor was legitimately concerned about a large baby, they would schedule a real induction, not do an uncomfortable procedure that doesn't work most of the time. Large baby size is such a BS reason for induction, anyway. Growth u/s are notoriously inaccurate, and what one OB considers large is completely different than what another one considers large. The babies head size and shoulder width are more important than weight. I have a co-worker who has 2 kids, both of whom weighed well over 9 1/2 pounds at birth (one was 10 lbs 13 oz), and she had 2 natural vaginal labors.
There's no way to know for sure how big your baby is before its born. Trying to induce labor before baby is ready can be risky. I wouldn't haven membranes stripped for any reason, personally.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
That way of thinking has changed. Term is no longer 37 weeks, as much development in the brain and lungs still occurs after: https://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/pregnancy_39weeks.html
I completely agree with you on this one, if the doctor is concerned about size and would prefer to deliver the baby sooner rather than later trying natural methods first makes a lot of sense to me.
No offense to mabenner but your co-workers situation may not be the same as this persons situation. Her OB has gone to medical school, and he recommended a procedure that she was comfortable with. I don't really understand where she went wrong following doctors advice.
Instagram
OBs are people and some ppl are idiots therefore some OBs are idiots.
So yeah. Be your own advocate and at least ask why so you can make an educated decision about your healthcare.
That's untrue actually. 37-41 weeks is considered term in the medical community. A due date is just 40 weeks.
She is full-term. In fact, most practitioners say the healthiest babies and best labors are between 38 and 39 weeks. It's most comfortable for mother and baby. Of course, they don't induce just for comfort unless there is a medical reason. If a baby is too large or the mother is carry too much fluid and it could complicate a labor and cause an unnecessary cesarean, they will sometimes induce a week or two prior to the due date. It's common practice.
Amen. I hate the blind sheep mentality.
I am completely confused, why is it anyones business what she does?
This...everyone, or most everyone, is over being pregnant at this stage, but you signed up for it...40 weeks is what everyone should expect.
The post above, and all others I've seen lately are full of people saying "trust your OB, they know more than internet strangers"
Why is this situation different?
Instagram
ACOG says that induction for macrosomia is not indicated, and for good reason. A big baby is not a good reason to induce. While membrane stripping may not be an actual induction, evidence does show that it increases the odds of the onset of labor within a couple of days.
We are all big. We are all waddling. We are all uncomfortable. Summer is starting up and it's hot in many places. The heartburn is brutal. Feet and ankles are swelling. But the baby will show up when the baby is ready. Barring some legitimate medical reason why the baby should show up on someone else's schedule and not its own (and "potential big baby" isn't a legit reason), people need to just suck it up. I am glad to see people get flamed for bad decisions like this. Hopefully it helps lead a culture change, and make more women aware that they're not lab rats or guinea pigs for their OBs.
Blindly accepting what your OB/midwife/nurse instructs is idiotic. When something like membrane stripping is suggested and you truly don't know what to do, remember BRAND:
Benefits?
RIsks?
Alternatives?
What happens if we do Nothing?
Need time to make a Decision.
Trust but verify.
The U.S. has some of the worst maternal and fetal outcomes in the first world, and OBs make horrible decisions all the dang time. There's evidence of it on these boards, almost every day. Women need to be partners in their care, not blindly say "yes" to anything the OB orders.
Full term is 37 weeks. Where on earth are you guys getting that 40 weeks is full term? Judgy McJudgersons!
37 weeks is not some magic number where bam, suddenly the baby is fully and perfectly ready to be on the outside. When they say 37-41 weeks is full term, those are based upon averages. Some babies are ready at 37 weeks and 1 day, and others at 41 weeks and 3 days, etc. A lot of growth and readiness happens in those finals weeks and days. There's no benefit to rushing.
It shouldn't surprise me, but I'm always amazed by the fast-food, immediate gratification mentality I see about giving birth here on the boards.
And you know so much about her baby that you can make a call in the dark and feel more qualified than the doctor who has been palpating and looking at u/s of her for the past 38 1/2 weeks. Wow! I am amazed at your vast skills. BTW, my daughter was born at 42w1d. She was in grave danger and I should have allowed induction sooner. I have no "fast-food, immediate gratification mentality" but I also know that while the doc doesn't know everything they do know a lot and see a lot. There is no good reason for this particular mama to be roasted over this particular issue.
Because she made it our business by posting it, derp. Really though, all we did was ask a question and there is more snark in this thread than the original. My midwife has expressed an agreement that 40 weeks is term in her mind given how much lung/brain development that happens those last 3 weeks.
Medically, 37 to 40 is considered term, but these times are a changing, and they are pushing more and more to make 40 the official full term. DD was born at 39 weeks. She is healthy. Does that mean I had my membranes stripped to make it happen? No. Babies need to have opportunity to come when they are ready. That's all anyone is saying.
CDumovich is taking the opportunity to white knight here again too. The OP of the original thread acted immaturely and rather than consider advice and answer a legit question she deleted. That's rude. Bring on the speculation post. That's how it goes...
The original thread's OP reason for having her membranes stripped was discomfort. That is a bum reason to want your baby out before they are ready. Everyone is "hugely pregnant" and ready to be done at the end. Her situation [barring no complications she mentioned at all] is not special.
If you have GD or another complication then that does not apply. Since when did asking a simple question become heresy around TB? People are too fecking sensitive, FFS.
People are talking about a legit thing here. If you don't like it then don't participate. If you have an opinion then pipe up, but at least contribute to the discussion in a constructive way or quit your whining.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Oh hai, do you at least attempt to keep up with changing medical things or just like to act like a critical heifer and offer nothing of value to the discussion?
Here is where:
"What prompted the campaign is what many experts view as an alarming trend in U.S. obstetrics the steady rise in elective deliveries of singleton babies before 39 weeks of gestation, when fetal development is complete. Gestation is calculated from the first day of a woman's last menstrual period. Studies have shown that as many as 36 percent of elective deliveries now occur before 39 weeks, and many of these early deliveries are contributing to an unacceptable number of premature births and avoidable, costly complications.
Although guidelines issued 12 years ago by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cautioned against elective delivery by induction or Caesarean before 39 weeks, an overwhelming majority of new mothers and many doctors who deliver babies believe it is just as safe for birth to occur weeks earlier."
https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/healthmedfit/health/janebrody/marchofdimeshealthybabiesareworththewait/article_7ff744a6aa455de884ff5df43e1490f6.html
Oh and here:
https://www.marchofdimes.com/prematurity/index_women_48590.asp
There you go.
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
Fair enough,
I'm didn't read the OP, and I agree with you entirely about not blindly following what is recommended by one medical professional.
But I woman do things all the time to try to bring on labor (castor oil, primrose, sex ect). Sweeping membranes releases prostiglandens (pardon my spelling) just like primrose, and sex. Some doctors do it weekly from 37-Delivery to prevent the need for a medical induction, especially if they feel going overdue would have negative consequences.
I think stripping membranes before 40 weeks is something that is only appropriate in some situations, obviously not a good choice if it's only due to being uncomfortable, but if there is a threatened medical induction it may be a good idea.
I guess I don't know enough about the OP's situation to have an opinion, but I just didn't understand the flaming because it seems common for doctors to strip membranes between 37-40 weeks.
Instagram
As seems to be the case on this board, I agree with Prim. Diana.filippi, are you mother effing kidding me, or have you just been living under a rock for the past few years?
Full term is 40 weeks, not 37. 37 weeks is considered term, but there are still many 37 weekers that end up in the NICU due to underdeveloped lungs. If a full term pregnancy was considered 37 weeks, we would all get due dates at that point and not 40. Do me a favor and ask ANY preemie mom on this board if they consider 37 weeks full term, and then sit back and watch what happens...
My point is that I asked a question. Instead of answering it she just deleted her post. Only three people responded and they all asked the same question. No one was snarky or rude ... in fact this thread is much worse than the original which kind of makes me sorry that I started it.
I wasn't trying to start a big debate about membrane stripping or what is full term. Just don't DD posts. That's all. That was my point. It's rude.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
omg, this exactly. thank you prim.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
Agreed. This.
I hate the mentality that people know more than medical professionals because they have Google. Yes, I agree you should look things up, ask questions and try and make an educated decision, but they are the ones with the actual medical education.
This is so true.
When someone asks a question around here, everyone says "why are you asking us you should be asking your doctor" but now suddenly everyone is telling this girl she should be listening to them and not her doctor.
Dude, you need a refresher in reading comprehension. No one is saying not to listen to her doctor. They just asked why she was having her membranes stripped. Its not a capital crime to ask a question if one is curious. Then there was an exchange of information and discussion on the topic of what "full term" means. That's all. No one is saying that she should discount her doctor's advice. Simply make sure you are active and involved in your own health care. I have no idea how that translates to "don't listen to your doctor." That means you are allowed and encouraged to ask your doctor why they are doing certain things to you.
Yes, consult your doctor but don't blindly do whatever they say without asking for some explanation every now and then (if not all the time).
LFAF Summer 2016 Awards:
If she hadn't DD'd her post, you would have seen that this is NOT what happened. But no one else but the three people that responded will ever know because she deleted it before we could have a discussion about it.
Again, my point. Which seems to be missed by the majority of people on this board.
Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
OP: It sucks that she DD the post since it seems so many of us have strong opinions on the subject of induction, membrane stripping, and what is considered "term".
For everyone else: 37 weeks is term; baby's lungs, the last organ to fully develop, are usually ready for outside life and labor will not be stopped if it should begin. 40 weeks is FULL term, however this does not mean that dates are correct and/or baby is ready to come. 41.2wks is considered normal term for babies, especially for FTM.
I work on L&D. The hospital will not do "social inductions" before 39 weeks and even then, it's frowned upon. The midwives will not do membrane stripping until you're at 40 weeks, unless there is a medical reason for it.
There. Dead horse beaten. Happy Mother's Day!
Babies born 37-38 weeks can still have respiratory distress issues and may have nursing/sucking issues as the reflex may not be fully developed. And term is 37 weeks, full term is 40.
Ding ding! We put WAY too much trust in our OBs. They are taught to administer medicine for almost every type of labor situation. Is it needed sometimes? Absolutely. But I think much of the time we can do without it. The whole stripping membranes stuff seems like nonsense to me, as does much of the things done to induce women, especially earlier than 40 weeks. The poster was simply following docs orders yet we chastise her for it. Maybe it's the doc that should get the backlash
Where did you get that from the quotes above? Agreeing with someone who said that asking questions of your OB re these procedures, isn't thinking you know more than medical professionals. It's a bit of a jump. Whether it's having a baby, getting knee replacement surgery or your tonsils out...it's good to do your own research and come to the "table" with questions you're concerned about.