Changing definition of full term and inductions

BackseatDriver · December 2014

I know it has been posted before that term pregnancies are now broken down into different categories to better capture differing outcomes:

Early term: 37 0/7 weeks through 38 6/7 weeks
Full term: 39 0/7 weeks through 40 6/7 weeks
Late term: 41 0/7 weeks through 41 6/7 weeks
Postterm: 42 0/7 weeks and beyond

I know previously it was common for inductions to be scheduled so that women did not go beyond 42 weeks, but I'm curious if that is changing now. Are OBs scheduling inductions for late term pregnancies? In 2012 my OB informed me that they prefer I not go much past 41 weeks so I'm thinking they would likely be in support of an induction for a late term pregnancy, but I'm curious what other practices are doing.

LooneyLife · December 2014

I just asked my OB last week how far past my EDD she'll allow and she was pretty quick to respond with 1 week.
So she'll induce at 41w. I personally don't want to be induced considering the stories/experiences I've heard, however I'm not concerned about baby not being "ready" since dates aren't off in anyway since we did IVF.

BackseatDriver · December 2014

I would prefer to have my membranes swept before they do a full induction. I do want to ask them about when they would recommend doing that. If it gets to that point I want to give it a chance to work before full induction is discussed. But I've heard that having your membranes swept tends to be more effective if you are 41 weeks or more. So we shall see.

BackseatDriver · December 2014

That is devastating @ICarriedAWatermelon. I can't even imagine. Do they know what went wrong? Did she have a NST at 40 weeks? I know sometimes things just happen.

mshepherd20 · December 2014

@ICarriedAWatermelon‌ My doctor just recently told me that he will not let me go past 40 weeks before scheduling an induction because studies now show that the rate of delivering a stillborn increases dramatically after 41 weeks.

I can't even begin to imagine what she's going through. So sad!

BackseatDriver · December 2014

It's relevant IMO. The changing definition is because the risks of a poor outcome are increased after 41 weeks. I know my practice schedules NSTs automatically once you reach 40 weeks which is why I was curious if that was their practice as well.

vjdk07 · December 2014

ICarriedAWatermelon said:
A mom on my first BMB went in for her 41w appt this week and there was no HB. So awful. Could have happened for any reason but it makes me want to talk about how far my doctor would "let me go..."

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This is exactly why I would rather be induced at 39 weeks than wait it out until 41 or 42 weeks. This happens more than people realize. Due to GD and gestational hypertension, I will be induced at 38w3d IF my BP continues to stay under control.

Edited because mobile bumping is hard with fat fingers.

robsbabygirl08 · December 2014

I will be induced at 41weeks if I make it that far. They also have to take the mothers age into consideration because the placenta deteriorates sooner in advanced maternal aged women.

4littlebears · December 2014

ICarriedAWatermelon said:

A mom on my first BMB went in for her 41w appt this week and there was no HB. So awful. Could have happened for any reason but it makes me want to talk about how far my doctor would "let me go..."

That is so terrible. I've been told for months I'll probably be induced at 39 weeks because of GD and my history of pre-e. Now, everything is doing so well and under control that she's thinking she may let me go longer. My BP is creeping up, but still on the higher end of normal. I don't know, this makes me want to be just a little less careful with my sugars maybe in about 4 weeks so she'll go back to scheduling an induction. Though that is probably a stupid idea too. Worst. Nightmare.

MrsT0514 · December 2014

When I was pregnant with DS1, my OB said they wouldn't let me go past 41w. I ended up delivering at 37w4d (SROM...I had already been 3cm dilated anyway) so it ended up being a non issue.

This time around, I would not want to go past 40...and TBH, I'd be open to induction around 39weeks if it came down to it.

Trek3 · December 2014

It depends on the provider - some are adamant about 41 weeks, some will allow a few days later with extra ultrasounds and discussions of risks.

I can't imagine finding no heartbeat at 41 weeks

LuckyPenny1231 · December 2014

The earliest they will let me schedule an induction is 41 weeks. The latest they will let me go (with good NSTs) is 42 weeks.

If I'm still pregnant I will definitely pick to be induced at 41 weeks vs waiting an extra week.

sanbry · December 2014

My doctors made me wait until 41w3d to induce with my first. My bishop score was 0, I had no dilation or effacement whatsoever and they wanted to avoid a c section, which I ended up needing anyway. Luckily my daughter was healthy and apparently I had some sort of rockstar placenta because they said I could have kept her in another month with how good it looked.

snowbaby1214 · December 2014

So my ticker is lying? Dammit, I feel full term!

I don't understand why they let me go to 42 weeks w/ #1 when I had pre-e and GD. I didn't have any problems being induced.

Jellybean707 · December 2014

I go to a midwifery practice and they usually induce at 41 weeks as well. I went into labor naturally with DS at 37w 4d but they would have induced closer to 42 weeks back then(2012.)

Beauxbaton · December 2014

With DS I was scheduled for induction at 41w. But I ended up having DS at 40w 4d. I think I could convince my doctor to go to 42w. But I can barely breathe/move at this moment. So unless LO comes on his own I will probably be induced around 41w. But I'll probably have membranes stripped at 39w.

brickcitylove · December 2014

My midwives will induce at 42 weeks unless there is a compelling medical reason to do it earlier.

soon2bejp · December 2014

My practice induces at 41w unless the mom really wants to wait. In that case they will do NST and US to see if it is safe for baby.

Bigboneded · December 2014

I think its an OB preference/call. Last time I was told not past 38 weeks d/t my age. Now im older, with twins, and this one says no plan to set a date as long as we all look healthy.... hubby thinks we will be having the talk next appt about when to induce if not delivered before.
I like that the OB was willing to watch my progress instead of declaring a time frame first trimester.... :-)

MusicFanatic · December 2014

snowbaby1214 said:

So my ticker is lying? Dammit, I feel full term!

I don't understand why they let me go to 42 weeks w/ #1 when I had pre-e and GD. I didn't have any problems being induced.

That is pretty crazy! I was going to be induced at 37 weeks if I had made it. Pre-e can go downhill very very quickly, especially at the end.

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