Waiting until 43?

nodito · September 2013

I think I would normally be comfortable waiting until 42 weeks before talking induction with this pregnancy. That said, I think my due date is too early, because it was based on LMP even though I'm pretty confident I ovulated on day 21. I just didn't have the wherewithal to fabricate a new LMP when asked. Early ultrasound was consistent with LMP, though I know there is some margin of error there. I've told my midwife this and she seemed to accept that I might be going late.

So since a healthy pregnancy can last 42 weeks and I'm pretty sure my due date was a week early, I think I would feel comfortable waiting until 43 weeks before inducing as long as both baby and I are healthy (and it's been an easy, uncomplicated pregnancy so far). But 43 weeks sounds so... dangerous. And people kind of freak out when I mention it. I realize this is a bit premature for me, since I'm only officially 40w+5 but I thought I'd check in anyway. Do any of you moms have personal experience waiting until 43 weeks? Any positive healthy baby birth stories you might share?

AmyRI · September 2013

How early was your earliest u/s? From what I know, due dates based on u/s around 7-8 weeks are pretty accurate. I'd hesitate to go to 43 weeks based on that due date.

When I went overdue with DD, my midwife talked with me about when I wanted to be induced. They recommend induction at 41/3 or 41/4 because they rarely had a mother go to 42 weeks with a healthy placenta. Past 42 weeks was not an option to them unless I could prove (with charts, IVF records, early u/s) that my due date was very different than they had recorded.

nodito · September 2013

What is very different? A week?

I think my first ultrasound was probably around 8 or 9 weeks, but it's my understanding that u/s margin of error for assessing gestation is around 8% (so plus or minus 5 days at 8 weeks).

LifesPeachy · September 2013

I think if your midwife is comfortable with waiting, then I would rather wait another week before doing an induction, just in case. You could request a non stress test or ultrasound to check on baby at 41 and/or 42 weeks, maybe that will help relax some anxieties. Also if baby is moving around a lot still, that is a great indicator for health. Try what you can now to get things going, even though I am sure you are!

sschwege · September 2013

Were you charting? If I had been charting and was confident I had ovulated on CD 21, then yes I would be comfortable waiting. I think the margin of error in early u/s are +/-6 days. Now if I had not been charting, and just sort of thought I ovulated on CD 21, I would have to go with the u/s.

nodito · September 2013

I was charting and I saw a clear temp rise on day 22. But kind of slopping charting with basically chicken scratches for mucus observations that I'd be embarrassed to show my midwife/OB as proof. ::hangs head in shame:::

spicysurro · September 2013

I had this discussion with my midwife, they do weekly tests after 40 weeks and she said she will allow women to go to about 43 weeks as long as all the tests come back positive and the baby isnt in any kind of stress.

SarahinMD · September 2013

I agreed to induction at 41w6d because I figured it could be off a week either way. All I needed was cervidil though...all my body needed was a kick start. Good luck whatever you decide!

ScorpioMum · September 2013

With my 2nd I went 42 weeks but when I figured out her due date based on my cycle length she was only 3 days late. I had NST starting at 40 weeks but at 42 weeks the midwife wanted me to be induced. I had my membranes sweeped and went into labor and had the baby that night. The midwife wanted me at the hospital the next day!

jess9802 · September 2013

The only two women I know who went to 43 weeks did not have happy endings.

I personally would not feel comfortable going past 42 weeks if there were no other issues; with my son I had chronic hypertension and wanted to deliver before my due date.

nicholssquared · September 2013

I definitely wouldn't without a NST at least. If the NST is good, and your midwife is okay with monitoring you more closely, then it's probably less risky than normal, since you think your due date is earlier than it should be.

However, if you're unsure about your ovulation date at all, the NST is questionable, or your midwife isn't okay with it, then I wouldn't.

nodito · September 2013

Yesterday (41 w) NST and BPP looked great. I learned yesterday that my earliest u/s was at 12.5 weeks, so it makes more sense to me now why it didn't come back with a more accurate gestational age estimate. Midwife is nervous and wants me back in three days. {sigh}

huntjul · September 2013

Without a good quality chart that you're 100% confident in and without an early u/s around 6-9 weeks, I don't think you can convincingly say that your current EDD is wrong. When there's an increase risk of fetal problems, as there is after 42 weeks, I would want to be 100% confident in my assessment, and it doesn't sound like you can do that here.

nodito · September 2013

Yeah, it's not the perfect chart for sure, and I wish I had an earlier u/s. I guess what it boils down to, for me, is which do I trust more? A 12.5 week u/s or my confidence that I ovulated on day 21 of the cycle I conceived. I think I trust my cycle and chart more.

Hopefully this will be a moot point and I'll deliver this weekend spontaneously.

SweetPeaK26 · September 2013

My friend delivered at 42/5. A big baby, but at home. This was actually how pg she was, not just an off due date.

Snufflyfluffy · September 2013

I was born at home at 43w 2d and was perfectly healthy. But my mom's midwife was checking her weekly with I think an ultrasound to make sure nothing was wrong.

Catpekm · September 2013

My last was born healthy at home at 43 and 3 days. As long as everything looks and sounds good there is no reason to rush!

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