Homebirths seem to be 'OK' from 37 weeks most everywhere, today i was told from 38 weeks ...

[EnchantedwithEdwardCullen]

by my midwife, I don't expect to go before 38 weeks (or 40 even!) but if I did I have the right to put my foot down don't I?

I'm sure it was 37 last time in my area.

She said from the 'end of week 37'.

I know its not a major issue but I REALLY hate hospitals and don't want to have to go unless there is a valid medical reason.

Is term considered 36 weeks?

At what point you you feel validated in saying 'I am (x+z) weeks and days and I am staying at home'??

Just curiosity

[pookamoo]

Surely you can put your foot down from 37 weeks. It's 37 in our area. I don't think they can MAKE you go, anyway, can they?

[pbo]

I had the same thing happen to me, I thought it was 37 and when I reached 36 the MW said it was 38 - so it's 38 in my area. Not that it affected me, I'm almost a week over EDD and still waiting!! If you know it's different in other places then argue it, I really want to avoid hospitals too so I would have had I gone into labour early.
Good luck!!

[EnchantedwithEdwardCullen]

Thanks,

Im torn between starting raspberry leaf tea and all that stuff in case i go before 38 weeks now, even though in reality I know its unlikely.

But this has been a very up and down pregnancy, very unlike my other two and it just feels like I should be too relaxed about not being due for another month iykwim.

[EnchantedwithEdwardCullen]

I don't use gas and air, suppose i could just get in my pool and refuse to move if i were 37+2 or something!

[misdee]

was told 38 weeks ideally, but if i went into labour past 37 weeks, with it being my 4th baby, they would assess and consider on what was happening at the time.

[sparkle12mar08]

This shifting of the date seems to be a common tactic to put people off. I think it's discussed on the homebirth.org site. Term is usually considered as 37 completed weeks. There seems to be a definite decrease in breathing difficulties at 38 compared to 36 weeks. If you've completed 37 weeks i.e. are into week 38 then I'd do the broken record technique if you go into labour, and simply refuse to budge. They will come out to you and will bring G&A with them, I'll lay odds on it. I went into labour with my first at 37+5 and it was no problem.

If you've had a problem free pregnancy and everything else is fine and you go into labour at 36+5 say, I'd call the ward and discuss it, but that's still quite early I'd say. Somehow I'm comfortable at 2+weeks early but not 3+weeks.