When is classed as over due and your mw/hospital start trying to get things moving?

[K8eee]

Basically the above question. I'm 39 weeks tomorrow with my first so have no experience to go on

[nolongerbumpieorlumpie]

Hey. How exciting, you are so close!!

At my 38week appointment we planned a sweep at 40.5, 41, 41.3 then induction at 41.5 Consequently, he came at 38.6!!!

Good luck!

[thecakeisalie]

After 40 weeks your classed as overdue and they may start offering you a membrane sweep. They tend to schedule induction around the 10 days overdue mark but I think it depends on the hospital some offer any where between 7-14 days overdue. I will be holding out until 14 days over if I have to as I went into labour at 9-10 days over last time and I'd rather avoid induction.

[greentshirt]

In my area you get a sweep at 40 weeks with your first baby if you want one, then another at your 41 week appt, then induction appt at hospital at 40+10, although I'm not sure when they actually do the induction, anytime between then at 40+14 I suppose

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

In my experience, overdue was anything after your EDD, but no steps would be taken to encourage things along until at least a few days after that - even then would only be a stretch and sweep (very unscientifically the MW has a bit of rummage at your cervix)

Induction in hospital wouldn't happen unless you were 42wks, and there might be leeway with waiting longer depending on your pg and the pct, but they'd probably want to do additional monitoring.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Not long now.

cervix)

[weebairn]

My midwife told me sweeps were pointless before 41 weeks, and you weren't technically overdue until 42 weeks. They suggest induction at 42 weeks, some places I think go for 40+10. I went into labour at 40+3 (delivered 40+5) and was very grumpy for those last couple of weeks!

All the best. Not long now.

[TheScience]

37 to 42 weeks is "full term" - stillbirth risk increases slightly after 42 weeks.

Most hospitals want to induce at some point between +10 and +14.

[callamia]

Here, 40w is your due date and they don't consider you over until 41. I had two sweeps after 41 and had an induction considered for 42.

[K8eee]

I've got a mw appt on Tuesday, would they maybe talk about a sweep the forthcoming week if things haven't progressed then I assume?

[TheScience]

First babies are born on average at 40+8, so you have a while to go yet.

[TeWiSavesTheDay]

I'd have a chat and find out what the local system is.

[CristaBell]

I'm exactly the same as you K8eee, I'm 39 weeks today and been wondering the same. I couldn't see my usual midwife last week and the one I saw said my midwife might give me a sweep on my 40 week appointment, she said some midwifes do and some don't! I haven't been able to book my next appointment yet as I'm waiting for my usual midwife to text me back but hopefully she will pre-warn me or ask me if I want it done. To be honest I'd rather wait and go atleast a week over before having a sweep. Good luck x

[Mummytobe2014]

I went yesterday for a sweep and I was 40+4 and she said to me that sweeps are more effective from 1 week over due and unfortunately my cervix was unfavourable so she couldn't do the stretch yesterday and I need to call back Monday when I am one week over, I don't know when induction will be decided but although I don't really want to go down that route I am going to ask as I have spd and finding things very tough but I guess it depends on your area how its dealt with!? Good luck x

[AntoinetteCosway]

I've heard it said that sweeps are only effective if you're about to go into labour anyway. They're also (from experience) pretty painful, so this time round I'm not going to bother with one at all.

[affinia]

It also depends on your age. My last birth I was over 40 and they were more cautious about letting you go too far over. Was induced at 41+1.

[K8eee]

So I've still got a little way to go ill definitely mention it to my mw Tuesday though. I hate being left in limbo

[greentshirt]

Does it say in your notes what they will discuss at each appt? Mine do, the 40 week appt notes say that a sweep will be offered.

[whereisshe]

As pp have said, "due" is a 5 week window between 37 and 42 weeks. Your EDD isn't actually a due date as such, just an average within that window. I found it helped a lot to assume my baby would arrive at 40+14 so I want too frustrated with waiting!

Different hospitals have different policies on sweeps / induction but they probably won't do anything until after 40 weeks unless you have other risk factors.

[K8eee]

No my notes don't have any guidance in that sense

I keep trying to tell myself I should be prepared to wait an extra 3 weeks at the most. The risk of a stillbirth does worry me though

[greentshirt]

Its only past 42 weeks that the still birth risk increases I think, they wont let you go over that without some discussion re induction etc.

At 38 weeks you have at least another 2 before anyone will show any interest unfortunately!

[whereisshe]

Don't worry, they'll be checking you for any risk signs, and obviously you should keep track of your baby's movements. It will be ok!

Relax and enjoy the last few weeks of pregnancy (I know that sounds silly as you're probably very sick of it but in a weird way I miss it a bit).

[hazchem]

The risk of still birth after 42 weeks is very very small with stats
This is also good as it talks though what the risk mean in terms of your care midwife thinking