What's the longest a pregnancy can safely go?

[Pruni]

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[starlover]

i thought it was dangerous because the placenta stops working as effectively or something...

[charleepeters]

I think its 44 weeks then the placenta doesnt work as efficiently. Why doesnt she want an induction?

[charleepeters]

oops 42 weeks sorry not 44

[fastasleep]

(Cos inductions are nasty?! Lol!)

[jessicasmummy]

no their not - they are fantatic!!!

[starlover]

see here

also read this

The placenta starts to deteriorate after 38 weeks or so, which means an overdue baby may not get enough oxygen. An overdue baby could also grow too large for vaginal delivery.

[Pruni]

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[fastasleep]

Inductions are nasty you liar ...I'd much rather be free to roam around and scream than to be strapped to a bed by heartbeat monitors and a drip!...But 42 weeks sounds on the verge of safety to me..

[charleepeters]

i had an induction it was great - i didnt have to worry about when i was going to go into labour or if i would get to the hospital in time ect ect.

[snafu]

Starlover, where did you get the info about the placenta deteriorating after 38 weeks? I've never heard that before.

[fastasleep]

Yeah but some of us never want to step foot in the hospital in the first place!

[snafu]

Is she absolutely sure of her dates anyway, pruni?

[starlover]

apparently going beyond 42 weeks can also increase chances of baby passing meconium into waters which can be dangerous

[starlover]

snafu... it was on here

[Pruni]

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[littlerach]

At the risk of repeating a horror story, a lady I met some weeks ago told me about her stillbirthat 42 weeks. She didn't want an induction, was being scanned and checked regularly and finally went into labour. The result was a stillbirth after a very lengthy labour. Baby had been fine on the scan a day earlier. Such a terrible story, I don't know that it was anything to do with the length of the pregnancy.
She went on to have another baby 18 months later, and was induced at 38 weeks.

[Pruni]

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[fastasleep]

There's nothing you can do really, except give her the links to the information to make sure she knows what she's doing? With any luck she'll have gone into labour before you see her again though! xxx

[misdee]

i know a lady who has given birth at 43 and 44 weeks. not prbs for her and her babies. she is a doula as well. she had dopplers every few days i belive and refused induction.

[snafu]

I think as long as she's being closely monitored, she should be okay. There is an increased risk of stillbirths when pregnancies go over 42 weeks but it's still something like 1 in 2000. I think it's also pretty unusual to go much longer than 43 weeks anyhow - she'll probably be in labour tomorrow

[dyzzidi]

I think its a bit silly to go against medical advice with something as precious as a baby. But then thats just me who would move heaven and earth for a healthy baby wouldn't actually care it the pked me with big sticks to start labour if baby were ok

Very naively surely inductions can't be that bad

[katierocket]

as long as she's being checked daily I would think it's OK. Inductions are IME vile and more often than not result in lots of medical intervention. Straw poll of 8 friends all of whom had inductions; 4 had emergency c/s, 2 had ventouse deliveries and 1 forceps, all had pretty grim labours.

[snafu]

She's not going against medical advice, dyzzidi - her midwife is supporting her decision and monitoring her every day.

[Flamesparrow]

I was 44 + 3 with DD (they refused to believe my dates... I KNOW my dates...)

My friend has been 44 with 2 of hers.

[dyzzidi]

oops sorry I thought she was. Having never been that pregnant (am only 12.5) surely she just wants her child here now?