Question for stm+ moms: carrying fullterm

SquattingGryphon · June 2015

I read that full term can be anywhere between 37 and 41 weeks. Just out of curiosity to those who are already mothers and carried full term... At what week did you go into labor? (I'm at 18.5 weeks, just wondering if I can realistically/honestly say I'm "halfway there" lol)

ash413 · June 2015

It 100% depends on each mom and pregnancy, though not uncommon for FTM to go late. Your DD is bases on 40 weeks, so 20 weeks is generally considered half way.

Barker2+1 · June 2015

I went into labor with my first at 39 weeks and with my second I had to be induced at 40+3. Both times my dr told me at my 20 week appointment your halfway there. When the baby decides to come they come regardless of our perceived time tables. I was only induced with my second because he had been head down and engaged for 2 weeks and I was in serious pain and my dr had concerns about if waiting for things to progress naturally was in my best interest. For reference both of my sons had the exact same due date. Every baby is different

LSRoo · June 2015

39w5 days is when my water broke. Most doctors don't consider full term any less than 39 weeks. Thy won't induce you until after 40 weeks unless you have a medical complication. Sit back and relax. It's a long ride.

Squirtgun · June 2015

I had daughter at 36wks6days. For her health, she's considered a "late preterm" baby, while my OB considered it an "early term" delivery. Which basically means that from the OB's perspective, it wasn't early enough to be extra cautious to prevent preterm labor this time, while from the pediatrician's perspective, she's still got some differences between actual age and developmental age.
Either way, 20wks is still considered the 1/2 way point despite the slightly early delivery last time.

elbou · June 2015

41 weeks exactly with DD1

39 weeks and 4 or 5 days with DD2 (her due date kept flip-flopping between 2 days)

41 weeks and a couple days with DS (although I am pretty sure his due date was wrong and my MW agreed that he didn't look like he was as much overdue as he should have with the date they gave me)

As PPs have said, every baby is different, and 20 weeks is usually the benchmark for halfway.

ETA: change the number of days for DD2...oops!

mmk29 · June 2015

Squirtgun said:

I had daughter at 36wks6days. For her health, she's considered a "late preterm" baby, while my OB considered it an "early term" delivery. Which basically means that from the OB's perspective, it wasn't early enough to be extra cautious to prevent preterm labor this time, while from the pediatrician's perspective, she's still got some differences between actual age and developmental age. Either way, 20wks is still considered the 1/2 way point despite the slightly early delivery last time.

What was your OBs cut off to prevent pre-term labor? Mine said he wouldn't stop anything after 34 weeks which concerned me a little, I was so thankful LO stayed put until after 40 weeks and I didn't have to deal with that.

VexyMommy · June 2015

I was 39 weeks 5 days.

Squirtgun · June 2015

@mmk29, he never actually gave me a specific cutoff like that. I think it would depend on the situation. I had a really fast labor/delivery last time, so I'm not sure that there would have been time to do anything even if he'd wanted to.

LG812 · June 2015

I was 40 weeks 3 days when my daughter was born

ash413 · June 2015

mmk29 said:

Squirtgun said:

I had daughter at 36wks6days. For her health, she's considered a "late preterm" baby, while my OB considered it an "early term" delivery. Which basically means that from the OB's perspective, it wasn't early enough to be extra cautious to prevent preterm labor this time, while from the pediatrician's perspective, she's still got some differences between actual age and developmental age.
Either way, 20wks is still considered the 1/2 way point despite the slightly early delivery last time.

What was your OBs cut off to prevent pre-term labor? Mine said he wouldn't stop anything after 34 weeks which concerned me a little, I was so thankful LO stayed put until after 40 weeks and I didn't have to deal with that.

-------------'-----
My office won't stop anything after 37 weeks.
I agree 34 is a little early.

urby87 · June 2015

My sister and I were both 42w babies.

dogsombrero · June 2015

I was 40+3 when my water broke but my labor did not start so I was induced. This time 18.5 will be my halfway because I am having twins so I will be induced at 37 weeks due to complications last time. I'd say as a FTM you are halfway somewhere between 20 and 21 weeks.

MargaretC5 · June 2015

41 weeks 5 days when I went into labor. I am hoping this LO is more punctual.

Pontot31 · June 2015

My daughter was born at 41 weeks exactly.
Induction began at 40w5d.

My midwife doesn't consider full term until 39 weeks.
There's a huge difference between a 37 weeker and a 40 weeker. They grow so much during that time and practice eating and breathing. You want to let them cook as much as possible.

I consider half way 20 weeks but know it could more like 21.

wedding crazed · June 2015

My water broke at 39 weeks with my first. The rest were planned C-sections.

dogsombrero · June 2015

LSRoo said:

39w5 days is when my water broke. Most doctors don't consider full term any less than 39 weeks. Thy won't induce you until after 40 weeks unless you have a medical complication. Sit back and relax. It's a long ride.

This 37 weeks is not considered "full term" new medical guidelines are stating that 39 weeks is term.

Squirtgun · June 2015

Pontot31 said:
My daughter was born at 41 weeks exactly.
Induction began at 40w5d.

My midwife doesn't consider full term until 39 weeks.
There's a huge difference between a 37 weeker and a 40 weeker. They grow so much during that time and practice eating and breathing. You want to let them cook as much as possible.

I consider half way 20 weeks but know it could more like 21.

This. There is a HUGE difference between an 37 weeker and a 40 weeker. Daughter had a NICU stay (not as long as earlier premies, of course) and had related issues (weight gain, maintaining temperature, etc) for a long time after coming home. She has caught up in a lot of ways, but is still behind in a some ways.

jasbaby2 · June 2015

I had my son at 39 weeks. I don't even know what my doc considers full term but I wouldn't consider myself half way there until 20 weeks. I mean I know it could be more or less. In fact I'll be having a repeat C-section at 39 weeks so for me halfway is technically a little over 19 weeks I guess.

I'm loose with terminology with friends/family though. More for ease than anything I wouldn't hesitate to say to someone asking that I'm almost or about halfway there at 18 or 19 weeks.

lopezalonso · June 2015

With DD (my first) I went naturally at 40w2d and she was born 40w3d. Let's see what happens with this one!

AshleeM7784 · June 2015

My son was born at 38 weeks. He was very small, did not sleep well and had lots of digestion issues for the first few months. He is perfectly healthy but I am hoping that this baby stays put a bit longer.

OP, don't start thinking about 18 weeks as half way there or the second "half" could feel really long! Just let baby bake as long as he/she needs and know that every day they stay in there is another day to grow stronger and healthier.

SquattingGryphon · June 2015

Aah, thanks for all the info and sharing your personal experiences! I will (try to) sit tight. Although I've already noticed that second tri is moving a LOT faster than first tri. I remember counting day by day during the first trimester... I was so restless.

VexyMommy · June 2015

I'm glad the second tri is going faster for you. Hopefully you feel the same way about the third tri.

FilbertTree · June 2015

Kiddo1.0 was induced at 41w5d, which was the limit for how long my hospital would allow him to cook. I'm not so secretly hoping this nugget moves out 5 days early because I kinda want a Halloween baby (also my EDD is my BILs birthday and I dont want my LO to have to share with that huge pain in my ass).
For comparison, my brother is 2 years younger than me. We were both due on the 20th of the month; my birthday is the 30th and his is the 15th. The other brother is an anomaly and didn't really have an exact due date because he was a bit of a surprise, and I guess in 1990 accurate dating scans weren't a thing.

leslie523 · June 2015

Man November seems a long way off from this humid heat wave...and summer hasn't even started...wish my 2nd tri was going so fast. I seriously can't imagine this as even close to the halfway mark even though it is..I don't feel quite large enough to be halfway and I'm 19wks...
stretch marks here I come
also I'm secretly hoping my baby is late because the due date is my SIL birthday and I don't want it to become a thing...

rox7777 · June 2015

My first was born at 38w4d. But I had preterm labor starting at 32 weeks so the fact that I made it that long was very surprising for everyone. My doctor told me early delivery is likely this time due to a history of preterm and an under active thyroid, but like everyone else said, due dates are kind of more like a time frame than an actual day.

kmkrushi · June 2015

rbradshaw77 said:
My first was born at 38w4d. But I had preterm labor starting at 32 weeks so the fact that I made it that long was very surprising for everyone. My doctor told me early delivery is likely this time due to a history of preterm and an under active thyroid, but like everyone else said, due dates are kind of more like a time frame than an actual day.

Huh! I had no idea that my thyroid could have played a role in DD'S early arrival! She was preterm at 36 weeks. I was lucky though and we had no time in the NICU. They stopped labor 2 weeks earlier and gave me the steroid shot to help develop her lungs. They would have tried to stop labor at 36 weeks but my water broke. This time they want new baby to stay as long as possible so I'll be starting progesterone shots this month.

They used to consider 37+ weeks full term but now they say it 40 weeks.

emilyealbers · June 2015

At 37 and 38 weeks most babies still have a LOT of developing and growing left to do, especially brain, lungs, and the ability to suck and swallow well. Full term is really more like 39-42 weeks, while a 37 or 38 week baby is unlikely to have long term problems, that is still early. The average first time mom with no complications and no medical interventions delivers at 41+2 and it decreases by 1-2 days with each subsequent birth. For your own sake, I would tell yourself 21 is the half way point, and mentally prepare yourself for 41 or 42 weeks of pregnancy. If you expect to deliver by 40 weeks, you will most likely be disappointed, and stressed. Let baby come when he/she is ready and developed. Don't force it earlier. Induction for the sake of being impatient is really not healthy for you or baby even if baby is "full term" ESPECIALLY, if you aren't 100% sure when you ovulated and concieved. Due dates are guesses and unless you know when you ovulated baby could be a week or two earlier or later than your estimated due date - which is just that, an estimate, not a rule.

CheeseSticksfor4 · June 2015

39 weeks 5 days

helsbels222 · June 2015

I delivered at 34 weeks exactly. Besides for being jaundice, my son was on an apnea monitor for the first 3 months of his life. He was born 6 lbs 3 oz. Everyone said just imagine how big he'd be if I carried full term... Ouch! Now he is perfectly fine. He's one of the tallest in his class and has no developmental issues whatsoever.

The closer to 40 weeks they stay in there, the better. My doctor said you are safe anytime after 36 weeks but technically 40 weeks is full term. I would say at 18 weeks, you're not half way there yet.

Elyse1384 · June 2015

I was 40w1d when I gave birth, but went into labor on my due date (40w). My OB did a sweep at my 40w appointment to see if that would jump start things... boy did it. And as an aside... OUCH!

rox7777 · June 2015

kmkrushi said:

rbradshaw77 said:
My first was born at 38w4d. But I had preterm labor starting at 32 weeks so the fact that I made it that long was very surprising for everyone. My doctor told me early delivery is likely this time due to a history of preterm and an under active thyroid, but like everyone else said, due dates are kind of more like a time frame than an actual day.
Huh! I had no idea that my thyroid could have played a role in DD'S early arrival! She was preterm at 36 weeks. I was lucky though and we had no time in the NICU. They stopped labor 2 weeks earlier and gave me the steroid shot to help develop her lungs. They would have tried to stop labor at 36 weeks but my water broke. This time they want new baby to stay as long as possible so I'll be starting progesterone shots this month.

They used to consider 37+ weeks full term but now they say it 40 weeks.

According to both of the OBs I've seen, the most common side effects of under active thyroid while pregnant are early delivery and low birth weight. DS was 6lbs13oz at 38w4 days so I don't really see that as low, but considering I gained almost 60lbs, I guess it could be.

SquattingGryphon · June 2015

All the info has been great - thank you! Didn't realize how important an extra week or two of "cooking" is. The new insight definitely gives me a different perspective.

2octobermama · June 2015

39w2d here. Baby will definitely come when they are ready.

Gapeach83 · June 2015

First was 39 weeks 2 days second was exactly 41 weeks. 20 weeks is the half way point.

JLB24 · June 2015

40 wk 6 days w baby 1. 39 wk 5 days w baby 2.

SquattingGryphon · June 2015

Elyse1384 said:
I was 40w1d when I gave birth, but went into labor on my due date (40w). My OB did a sweep at my 40w appointment to see if that would jump start things... boy did it. And as an aside... OUCH!

A sweep?

sarahsnowball · June 2015

SquattingGryphon said:

Elyse1384 said:
I was 40w1d when I gave birth, but went into labor on my due date (40w). My OB did a sweep at my 40w appointment to see if that would jump start things... boy did it. And as an aside... OUCH!
A sweep?

I had 2 sweeps and they didn't work for me. As is understand it, they put a finger inside your cervix and "sweep" the finger around the membranes in a circular motion to try to get things moving. If it's effective you will go into labour within 24 hours or so.
I went into labour at 41+2 and DS was born the next day (the day I was due to have my 3rd and final sweep)
I got so frustrated and impatient, especially once my due date had passed, and tried everything to get things moving. I was obsessively waiting for my baby and I cried every day that I went further overdue. I honestly thought he would arrive on time. But babies don't always listen to their EDD.
This time I'm going to try my best to be patient and remember that my baby will come when it's good and ready.

Jennsoule · June 2015

DD1 41wk+4, DD2 41 wk+4, DS3 41+5, DS4 39wks

dogsombrero · June 2015

I had 3 sweeps and nothing. My boy was staying put as long as possible.

Pontot31 · June 2015

sarahsnowball said:

SquattingGryphon said:

Elyse1384 said:
I was 40w1d when I gave birth, but went into labor on my due date (40w). My OB did a sweep at my 40w appointment to see if that would jump start things... boy did it. And as an aside... OUCH!
A sweep?
I had 2 sweeps and they didn't work for me. As is understand it, they put a finger inside your cervix and "sweep" the finger around the membranes in a circular motion to try to get things moving. If it's effective you will go into labour within 24 hours or so.
I went into labour at 41+2 and DS was born the next day (the day I was due to have my 3rd and final sweep)
I got so frustrated and impatient, especially once my due date had passed, and tried everything to get things moving. I was obsessively waiting for my baby and I cried every day that I went further overdue. I honestly thought he would arrive on time. But babies don't always listen to their EDD.
This time I'm going to try my best to be patient and remember that my baby will come when it's good and ready.

An EDD is just that- estimated. Also there have been studies that show the 40 week EDD is wrong. Most babies will come with in 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after that. And for the majority of first time moms it'll be closer to 2 weeks after.

I also had 3 sweeps and none of them worked. I lost my mucus plug but it never put me into labor.

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