Your Baby Should Decide Your Due Date Not Doctors

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

I've seen a lot about this going around lately, as well as seen friends and family members induce when baby was probably just not quite ready (hello the E in EDD is there for a reason!). I've also seen a friend or two wait it out despite the doctor's concern over her being 42 weeks and both of her kids are super! Really just an interesting read for mamas-to-be to think about and consider.

https://thestir.cafemom.com/pregnancy/163097/your_baby_should_decide_your

sunflowermama42212 · October 2013

I just want my baby to be as healthy as possible and for it to be born safe and with out complications. I'm not a doctor and I don't trust Internet articles over my doctor. I had a friend make decisions for her labor off of articles and documentaries and her baby didn't make it through labor because she didn't listen to her doctor. For some woman it works out but if your doctor says they need to do this if that is for the best interest of the child It's not worth the risk for me. Just my opinion on it.

Eta: also are ivf due dates still estimated due dates? Since we know exactly when the baby was conceived.

BeeBee08 · October 2013

I hate the one-size-fits-all approach that most OB's offer. "We will induce at x weeks because we don't like to let you go much longer than that". Fine...is there a medical necessity for induction? If not, and it's just a matter of what the OB prefers to do, then I will wait it out. My biggest fear of labour is induction. Call me crazy, I know, but I will do anything to avoid it. I'm glad I chose a midwife, so that hopefully my baby can chose when it's ready to arrive.

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

I totally agree if there's a legitimate reason that baby needs to come out early and/or with assistance then by all means that's what should be done. But if you and baby are both healthy and you're past your EDD, there's no reason to panic.

My SIL rushed into being induced within 24 hours of her EDD and had ridiculous complications - one of the many thing that happened was she started to deliver her uterus, like the doc actually had to put it back - it was insane. And not only that, but even after being induced it still took days before my nephew actually made his appearance. There was absolutely NO reason for her to be induced other than she was uncomfortable and complaining - she and baby were both perfectly healthy. She admits that she would never do that again.

I have another friend who had a c-section the day after her due date that was definitely not necessary, at least not at that point. She and her husband are both tall people, and the docs were worried that she had GD the entire time, but she never tested positive for it - she just grew big babies. They were freaking out and told her that her baby was like 12lbs and did an emergency c-section. Yes, the baby was big, he was 10lbs, but there was no reason to do the c-section as early as they did. Because he was big they probably would have had to do a c-section anyway, but it could have waited until he was ready to come out.

My third friend, who was just about 42 weeks when she delivered both of her babies had perfect normal deliveries with no complications, and both babies and mom are totally healthy....I think there's something to be said for baby will come when baby is ready. Just my opinion, but I can't help but be swayed based on the different things I've seen people close to me go through.

jezebel57 · October 2013

in my situation, the american college of ob/gyns recommends for mono/di twins to deliver between 34-37 weeks because they are sharing a placenta. I spoke with my MFM about feeling more comfortable with 35-36 weeks and she said that sounded fine. IF i make it that far she said! my ob seems to be on the same page with her and i think we are aiming for a 36 week c section. i know my case is a little different because of the higher risks, but i would rather risk slight prematurity than the placenta failing and losing these little ones.

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

@jezebel57 I'm totally with you! I know it can be a little different with multiples and that there are a lot more risks involved. My girlfriend actually just had her twins over the weekend - she was 38 weeks! She was scheduled to have a c-section yesterday and 38.5 weeks, which I thought was actually really great to get that far with twins, but they decided that they wanted to come a few days early :-)

drjwj · October 2013

I agree! I feel like a lot of inductions are due to convenience once the baby gets to 37-38 weeks! I know that once you get much past 41 or 42 weeks the risks go up again, like meconium aspiration, so that would be okay, and I will definitely listen to my doctor, but I only want to induce if it is medically indicated! Also there was a study this year showing baby boys that were induced had higher rates of autism!

RosyGlow · October 2013

Great post, @FutureMrsW9. Here is an article that really breaks it down for you. Before agreeing to induction, you should know your Bishop's Score (google it)...EVEN if your doctor recommends it. Doctors are overwhelmingly great people with great professional practices, but they also sometimes want to induce for BAD reasons...such as convenience, etc.

Here is a great chart in this article that really outlines the risks for people of interventions in labor, including induction: https://vancouverdoula.blogspot.com/2013/05/cascade-of-interventions-in-first-time.html

@BeeBee08, I'm in the same situation as you. Because I did my homework in picking a midwife, I believe that I can trust her to recommend interventions in my labor if and when needed. I'll know that if she recommends something like epidural or hospital transfer, that it's because it's medically necessary and that we have already exhausted other options.

BeeBee08 · October 2013

@RosyGlow - when you say "hospital transfer" are you not delivering in hospital from the beginning?

curlylocks3 · October 2013

I am normally totally on board with letting baby come when its ready but no way in hell would I push to 42 weeks. I'm glad your friend had good outcomes but statistically the odds were not in her favor for that.

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

curlylocks3 Both times they scheduled her to be induced at exactly 42 weeks, and both times she ended up going into labor at 41 weeks 5 days. Just curious, if mom and baby are both doing fine, what is the harm is letting baby wait until s/he is ready to come on their own at that point? Not arguing, just curious what the medical reason is for it not being statistically in their favor?

sunflowermama42212 · October 2013

I just wanted to add that if they let the baby go to 42 weeks it could be to big to push out and that makes a c section more likely. My nephew was over due and couldn't fit, they tried everything but he was literally stuck and they had to do an emergency c section and then he had to be put in the NICU because he breathed in his meconium. His birth was very traumatic and my sister was very insistent on not inducing and I think she should have listened to her DR. And induced way before since she was overdue

Also with the autism thing, studies show that ultrasounds contribute to autism so with that we would all be at risk it's the same thing as the cancer scare all of a sudden everything causes autism, it's a scare tactic.

But to each their own I'm not giving birth naturally but will I still have the same bond with my child? Absolutely, it's all about your opinions and what makes you comfortable. Inducing or not it's everyone's own opinion.

74dragonfly · October 2013

This post rubs me the wrong way. I dont think people should ignore their Dr advice. They are the experts. when you have gone thru losses and IF you care most about LO being here safely and if your Dr says baby would be best if delivered at a certain point you should listen.

FutureMrsW9 · October 2013

KKDRAGONFLYMwhigham22
Sorry if you're rubbed the wrong way, totally didn't mean to stir the pot and I'm not out to argue one way or another - I just thought it was an interesting article and something that I've been seeing a lot of controversy about lately. I would never solicit not listening to your doctor, but my point was that I think people are serial elective-c-section schedulers these days when they don't necessarily need to be (and yes, sometimes it is necessary in many cases), and induction meds seem to be handed out like candy on Halloween just for convenience (my SIL case-in-point). If there's a medical reason that you need a c-section or to be induced, then I totally agree - whatever is best for mom and baby is #1 priority. Anyway, that's all...Happy Halloween! :-)

sunflowermama42212 · October 2013

I'm not trying to argue at all but I just feel like decisions like this are such a case by case thing and if you feel that way great I do to but I'm not going to judged someone for inducing or having an elective c sections or what ever they want.

RosyGlow · October 2013

Hmmm. I guess I would disagree that we should not question our doctors since they are the "experts". Questioning makes us better patients and more informed recipients of care. Unfortunately, bad care providers exist, and this can happen to us even when we love and trust our doctors or midwives. There is a lot of good advice in this thread from many different viewpoints, and all are valid and thoughtful. I would just reassure everyone that it's always smart to ask questions. We did that constantly with our IVF care (Why are you doing this? What are the pros/cons of this protocol? What negative side effects will this have? etc.) I am confident that questioning doctors always makes a medical and/or physiological process healthier and more successful for any patient, and most certainly has for me.

curlylocks3 · October 2013

@futuremrsw9

Placental breakdown, which can interfere with fetal oxygenation (and increased risk to the baby in labor, subsequently)

Low fluid volume- which can lead to cord compression during delivery, which interferes again with fetal oxygenation

Increased of passing meconium

Larger baby- increased risk of c-section or operative vaginal birth. Also increased risk of shoulder dystocia. Larger babies are also at risk for glucose instability.

Also, I'm all for patients asking questions and being involved in their care, but part of that includes listening to their doctors and their rationale for whatever steps they are recommending. If you don't trust your doctor to have your best interests in mind, I think you should look for another doctor that your trust.

Want a personalized experience?

Your Baby Should Decide Your Due Date Not Doctors

Re: Your Baby Should Decide Your Due Date Not Doctors

Choose Another Board

Search Boards