First Pregnancy: OB says going upto 42 weeks is ok!

[Anonymous]

At my 36-week visit today I asked my OB what if its 40 weeks and there's no sign of the baby? To which she replied, "oh, honey we could go until 42--you have a lot of time!"
I was mortified! I do not want the baby inside past 40 weeks and change. Has anyone delivered much later than 40 weeks? What was labor like in that case? Did you end up having a C-Section because the baby was too big? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Going past 40 weeks is not unusual at all.

I went to just about 42 weeks (however I loved being pregnant the 2nd and 3rd trimester and didn't mind going over), and they did stress tests, measurements, etc and everything was fine. I could have been induced earlier but I really wanted as natural a birth as possible. Unfortunately I started having slight issues with my amniotic fluid and conceded to an induction (which I am greatful for). Due to a whole host of issues I did end up with a c-section - but not because the baby was too big - it's very rare that the baby will be too big to have vaginally. Lots of drs will dicuss induction after a week overdue if you are very uncomfortable though.

Don't worry, chances are you won't go over by much, but don't be alarmed as it isn't unusual.

[Anonymous]

My dr wouldn't even consider inducing until 10 days past due date. My wanter broke at 40w2d, so it ended up not mattering in the end. Pretty much everything I read said that your chance of a c-section is greatly increased if you get induced when your body is not ready (and I think that meant cervical dilation). I ended up with a c-section anyway, for failure to descend, but I am glad at least that things started on their own - had i had the induction and ended up with a c/s I would always wonder "what if i just waited to go naturally". The last few weeks of pregnancy are really miserable, but trust me, a c/s recovery is no picnic either, and I consider my recovery to be average to better than average.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I went to 42 weeks with my 2nd son, and was induced. The labor was quick and I had a vaginal delivery and only pushed 4-5 times! They did a stress test at 41 weeks and all was OK, so my dr. let me go another week. My son was big - 9 lbs. 4 oz., but he was also long so I did not tear at all. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I almost went to 42 weeks. I read somewhere that the average first-time mom goes into labor 8 days past her due date, which is in the 42nd week. So I wouldn't be worried about it. I would be much more worried about needing a c-section due to induction than needing a c-section due to your baby's size.

[Anonymous]

My dr said that "if things are progressing" then they would induce at my due date. I don't think I'd survive an additional two weeks.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP - I feel for you - I also was soooo ready at 36, but 42 weeks is not unusual. My baby came at 42, on the dot, weighing 7lbs -- normal and OK, no induction, no nothing -- just a regular delivery - healthy baby. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks guys. While I am certainly not ready for anything before 40 weeks, 42 sounds like it will break my back. Literally! It hurts a lot. Question to PP 16:05, what exactly do the docs mean by "things progressing?"

[Anonymous]

I would not want to go to 42 weeks. Two of my kids did and they ended up back in the hospital under the billiruben lights. I know folks will disagree.....but it's the truth!!

[Anonymous]

How old is your OBGYN -- youngish? Under 50? I don't think my veteran doc would have let me go that long.

[Anonymous]

I doubt it has to do with age. It likely has to do with the OB/practice's philosophy regarding interventions.

[Anonymous]

I go to a practice w/ a bunch of docs, and the older male docs are more conservative than the younger female docs. Personally, I wouldn't want to go past my due date. I was born two weeks late and my umbilical cord was damaged.

[Anonymous]

My doctors don't want me to go past 41 weeks and I am already lined up for an induction shortly after my due date (in case it doesn't happen by then). I guess this is not the norm. I was told they've "seen bad things happen" to babies when women go past 41 weeks. I am also 37 yrs old, and my age seemed to be a factor to them.

[Anonymous]

I was scheduled to be induced at 41 weeks with my first, but went into labor on my own the day before. Besides the "extra" week of waiting, the one bad thing about going late is that DS had passed the meconium in utero. As a result, they had to get him out pretty quick once his head was out so that they could do a deep suctioning procedure. He turned out fine...but it was scary for a little bit there (and could have had bad results). Not to scare you...I'm just saying there are certain risks the longer the baby hangs out in there.

[Anonymous]

OP, you asked what a PP meant by "things progressing" -- this refers to dilation and effacement. Once you are starting to efface and dilate, you are much more likely to have a successful induction, if such intervention is necessary. A long, hard, closed cervix is not what you want going into an induction.

Just to add to the poll, my OB (a middle-aged woman) scheduled an induction date at 41 weeks with my first, as a matter of course. My water broke at 36.5 weeks, so that was that.