lying about my O date to get later due date? WWYD?

TrendyTina · October 2013

I have my first appointment at the birth center tomorrow and I'm pretty sure my due date will be set. If you were charting, they will go by your charts when establishing your due date. With my son, I delivered at 41 weeks, but I don't think he was ready. It's a long story, but I think I was the small percentage whose bag was punctured during a membrane stripping gone bad. I leaked fluid, but contractions never started. I got them going with nipple stimulation, but after 26 hours I only dilated to 1.5 cm. I just don't believe my body was ready. Ended up with pitocin and epidural and delivered 2 hours after I got the drugs.

Anyways, I want to give myself as much time as possible to deliver (if you don't deliver within 42 weeks, you have to transfer care to an OB and birth in the hospital) so I was thinking about pushing my O date on my chart up a few days (not many. I was thinking 3 extra days). Is that a bad idea? Should I just go by the truth and pray for the best? I don't want to do anything to harm my baby, but I also don't want to subject myself to an unnecessary induction if my baby is totally fine, but is just happy in my belly.

What would you do?

erb82 · October 2013

I totally get being nervous about going past the due date and having your birth plans changed . However , I believe that the doctor/patient relationship is entirely based on trust. If I didn't feel comfortable disclosing the entire truth and trusting their medical advice, I would be looking for a different OB or midwife.

TrendyTina · October 2013

It's def not due to a lack of trust. It's the system that we are stuck in due to the policies set forth by the state government. They have rules in Florida about how long you can labor with ruptured membranes at a birth center (no more than 24 hours if you are not in active labor) and when can you can deliver at a birth center (37-42 weeks. End of story). I just don't know what to do... =(

sschwege · October 2013

So based on your own comfort level you would feel safe going to 42w3d?

Nechie122 · October 2013

I can see why you're tempted. However, I'm not sure lying is your best course of action. First, if they do a dating ultrasound, they'll see that your dates are off. Also, some prenatal tests, if you opt to do those, are sensitive to gestational age.

I could maybe see fudging an LMP when you O'd late in your cycle, but lying about when you conceived is a completely different ball game. You SHOULD get extra monitoring post-term -- you shouldn't go to 42 weeks and have your provider think you're only 41.5. It's risky, it's a headache, and you may regret it. I would tell the truth.

BeachBucket · October 2013

I believe the 24h after water breaking is guidelines for all pregnancies. Could be wrong, but you run a high risk of infection setting in. This is the standard with my OB practice, in a hospital, in Indiana.

If your membranes were stripped the purpose was to get things going. A lot of people have their water break, but do not progress. It happens. Our bodies don't always do what they were "made" to do. After several miscarriages and fertility struggles I had to learn and accept that fact.

Do what you feel is right for you. But there are valid reasons why 42 weeks is the limit. Still birth rates become scary.

Best wishes

AmyRI · October 2013

I'm not comfortable lying to care providers. I also wouldn't be comfortable going to 42w3d, either. There's a big difference between 41 weeks and 42 weeks.

TrendyTina · October 2013

Thanks for all the input ladies. I appreciate it!

nosoup4u · October 2013

I wouldn't get my membranes stripped, at the very least. I dunno, you've had one successful vaginal birth, so you have a higher chance of success if you need an induction.

Are you sure of your ovulation date? Do you think your babies need more than 42 weeks? Bc even if your baby wasn't ready at 41 weeks it doesn't mean he wouldn't have been ready until 42+ weeks.

It seems excessive to give yourself three more days if you know your actual DD and you can go until 42 weeks.

tokenhoser · October 2013

I would tell the truth to a provider that takes charts into account. I only "lied" to get the due date that aligned with my actual ovulation.

sopranoali · October 2013

They do a transvaginal ultrasound and take measures to determine EDD, unless you decline it.

J&Jaggies06 · October 2013

My EDD was based on LMP however every u/s and measurement done throughout my pregnancy was 1 week behind. My MW was comfortable letting my go a couple days past 42 weeks because of it. I ended up delivering at 41w3d. I was charting so I wasn't surprised thing were one week behind since I ovulated late. I never lied but had open conversations about it with them.

memo9 · October 2013

sopranoali said:

They do a transvaginal ultrasound and take measures to determine EDD, unless you decline it.

Not always. I won't have an ultrasound until 19w. That's my birth center's normal procedure.

hislitlprincess · October 2013

Where in FL are you? I am in Central Florida and my MW will go until 42 weeks. And with dating U/S, yea I didn't have one until 18w for the anatomy scan. But I would definitely reconsider where your going if you cant be honest with them.

MississippiCatfish · October 2013

sopranoali said:
They do a transvaginal ultrasound and take measures to determine EDD, unless you decline it.

Not every caregiver does this. Mine didn't.

I just want to say that having been induced at just about 42 weeks and having similar feelings about just not being ready, I completely understand this temptation. It's popped into my head too (for next pregnancy, I'm TTC now). I just don't feel right about it, though. If anything were to go wrong, I would always question and blame myself.

Best of luck!

sschwege · October 2013

sopranoali said:

They do a transvaginal ultrasound and take measures to determine EDD, unless you decline it.

As pp said not all providers do it. Unless there is a reason to do more my CNMs only do the 20w anatomy scan.

HerbanMom · October 2013

I would be truthful about my LMP or O date, but I would certainly decline any procedures/exams at the end that could be a means of getting labor going.

Monsterlady · October 2013

I deffinatly would be truthfull, and at 39 weeks you dont have to do squat about being induced if you dont want a membrane serep it doesnt have to happen? If you know what i mean. Its your pregnancy doctors are there to make sure your safe baby is safe, and if theres something you dont want to happen it doesnt have to happen. And if your scared to tell the doctorthe truth find one you can be honest with.

TrendyTina · October 2013

UPDATE: I went to my appointment and I was completely honest. I voiced my concern about not having enough time to go into labor naturally, and my midwife was so supportive. We reviewed my chart and are sticking with the accurate date (may 12). She made me feel 10x better bc she told me that in the last 2 years only 1 woman has had to leave the practice because she did not go into labor before 42 weeks. She ALSO told me that transferring to the OB at 42 weeks does not necessarily equal an automatic induction. I feel sooo much better about everything. Now I'm going to focus on staying positive and having a beautiful pregnancy and delivery!

TrendyTina · October 2013

TrendyTina · October 2013

Where in FL are you? I am in Central Florida and my MW will go until 42 weeks. And with dating U/S, yea I didn't have one until 18w for the anatomy scan. But I would definitely reconsider where your going if you cant be honest with them.

I'm in Tampa. I'll be delivering at Breath of Life Birth Center in Largo. Where are you?

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