Due Date

[datingthedevil]

Hi guys,

My due date is 13th December 2012 and it's my first.

I'm concerned about being overdue and needing to be induced. I'm not concerned about the process of induction itself, I am more concerned about the date they would induce. if I run 10 days over (the point in which they say they usually induce) they will induce on 23rd December 2012.

This will sound really selfish, but it's my first christmas without my dad (he died in May) and I really want to be at home with my mum to offer her support etc.

Are they more likely to induce me early as it is christmas and they won't want me clogging up the wards at Christmas time? or can I request to be induced earlier?

As I said, I really don't want to sound awful and selfish.

Thank you xxx

[CountryKitty]

A friend had the same due date as you a few years ago and they had her in to be induced on the 19th. The midwifes and doctorsapparently wanted their Christmas' at home too! Goodluck

[datingthedevil]

That sounds perfect! I'll ask when I see my midwife next :)
Thank you x

[sammyleh]

You don't sound awful and selfish at all, my first Christmas with my dad was so hard when I lost mum a few years ago (she died on new years eve previously) and I could imagine that the stress of wondering if I would drop would be far too much to handle. You want a nice stress-free xmas to enjoy with you baby, that's completely understandable x

[nickelbarapasaurus]

you don't have to be induced even if you go overdue.

Might be worth reading the NICE guidelines on that.

Basically, NICE says that you aren't actually overdue until 40+14, and that you may choose to be induced on that date.
Most PCTs go for 40+10 because they know that inducing doesn't normally work anyway.

My DD was 16 days overdue - I opted for "expectant management" from 40+10 until 40+14, which basically means they hook you up to a monitor for 15 minutes every day to make sure the baby seems okay.
(they also did a scan at 40+13)

at 40+14, I allowed them to do a Vaginal Exam and a sweep (I put in my notes "with view to doing a sweep" - ie if the conditions were good for a sweep, because they need to know beforehand if you're going to have a sweep, because of risk of infection. they never tell you all this though!)
They swept and I went into labour the following morning.
DD was born at midnight of 40+16.

[nickelbarapasaurus]

(and you're not selfish - of course you want to be there for your mum!)

[datingthedevil]

I didn't know if I would be ok going overdue. I thought I might feel more comfortable if I wasn't that overdue at Christmas! Thank you so much!

[Bellyjaby]

My mate was induced on the 23rd December. She'd gone in for a routine check and they went, right we're starting now. No you're not, she said, I've got Xmas to deal with! But they started her off and bubs came very late that night. But that was twins, so I'm guessing it's different than single babies where it's all a bit more planned.

As nickelbarapasaurus points out, they don't necessarily work either. So bear in mind you could go in on 19th for a nice early induction and still be there on 23rd with no bubs. Eek.

Fingers crossed that itll all go fine, bubs will appear some point very close to their due date and first Xmas without your dad will be full of baby joy x

[datingthedevil]

@bellyjaby - are you going to be there with me to hold my hand?

[Bellyjaby]

I'd love too, though I'm guessing I'll be rather bus with my own two monsters and totally befuddled with lack of sleep!

[datingthedevil]

You are so selfish xxxx.

[Jakeyblueblue]

Hi, can totally understand why you want to be at home with your mum! I would too, However, My friend was due on a similar day to you and was booked for induction on Xmas eve. She asked if she could have it earlier and was told she couldn't. Obviously every hospital has different rules so its perhaps worth asking anyway. As for going over, As a nurse, with midwifery experience, I would say that you should think really carefully about not being induced when they advise you to. I am totally for natural pregnancy and birth without intervention, but for every positive story about people going over the advised 10 to 14 days, there's also a negative story. The placenta doesn't function as well after so long and I am aware of several ladies who refused to be induced or whose dates were wrong and mistakenly went over and had awful outcomes as a result.
I am sure someone will come along and beast me for suggesting this and tell me I am talking rubbish but I thought its only fair to look at both sides of the story.
Aside from this, I wouldn't fret too much about it. I was convinced I would go over and need induction and I was actually early. Also I can guarantee that the birth of a beautiful grandchild will make sure that your mum will cope just fine with Xmas! you never know you may even have an Xmas day baby! How lovely!

[Bellyjaby]

I know ;)

[Bellyjaby]

Just read another thread you posted on. Really wish I lived closer so I could come be with you. Not sure how much help I'd be though, not having really done proper birth myself lol

[datingthedevil]

I could bring my paddling pool over and have it in your garden?

[Bellyjaby]

In the middle of winter?

[WildWorld2004]

I dont think its selfish of you. I wouldnt want to spend xmas in the hospital no matter what the circumstances are at home.

As for being induced, they tried about 3 times with me & it didnt work. Took about 3 days from when i was booked in to hospital. You may go in on a set date but its not going to be guaranteed that you will have your baby on that date.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

[datingthedevil]

Thank you all, I don't feel so bad now!

Belly I'll just put the fan heater next to the pool. It will be lovely

[Secondsop]

Datingthedevil, I have the exact same due date! I too really want it all done well before Christmas because I'm high risk due to preg induced high blood pressure (although it's been controlled very well by meds) and also have a low-lying placenta so may need a c-section, and ALSO have a raised risk of Downs (although am planning a late amino to confirm the situation) so for all those reasons there's a chance I or the baby will need specialist care and I don't want to run the risk of any particular specialist not being around at Christmas! I'm going to discuss my concerns with the midwife at my next appointment. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

[datingthedevil]

Thank you second, you too. Whereabouts are you based?
That's my other concern, all the people we might need - specialists etc being on leave. I know they can't all be away but still, I dont want to risk anything happening.

[Secondsop]

Datingthedevil, I'm in south London. I think there's a reasonable chance i'll be early; If my placenta doesn't move up then I expect to be booked in early for a c section at perhaps 37 or 38 weeks. I've been booked for 2 more scans and if the 32 week one still shows a low lying placenta then I imagine they'll book me in for a few weeks thereafter to avoid the risk of me going into labour.

I would have liked the baby to be just one day early, so born on 12/12/12!!