Overdue, 'expectant monitoring' and referral to foetal health unit

[HardCheese]

I'm 41 weeks today with my first baby, feeling fine, completely uncomplicated pregnancy throughout, baby a decent size, active etc - I'm aged 39. I've refused sweeps and induction offers, and my midwife has said that when I see her tomorrow, she'll refer me to the foetal health unit of the hospital where we plan to give birth for monitoring. I didn't ask any more questions when I saw her last week, as I was hoping to have gone into labour by now and that it wouldn't be an issue. But here I am, unfortunately.

Could someone give me some idea of how regularly I may be asked to attend the foetal health unit, and exactly what kinds of check they will do when I'm there?

I've been pretty calm about being overdue so far, as I know first babies often are, and I suspect the scan dates may be a week or more out (meaning I'm only now at term, really), but now I'm getting very worried that if I go another week over I won't be able to give birth, as planned, in water at the MLU, but will have to go to the delivery suite, with no possibility of a water birth. This is making me very panicky and weepy at a time when I feel I need to feel as strong and in control as possible but I really cannot face a sweep.

Any wise words? Thanks in advance.

Hi there, I think they normally get you in every other day until you go into labour or until you go over the 42 week mark (when they will really hassle you to induce) - they will listen to the babies heartbeat and sometimes scan you to check health of placenta.

This happened to me with my first, he was 8 days overdue. I really didn't want to be induced if could avoid it. I think they called it expectant managemnet. I had to go to the antenatal day unit every other day and I did have at least one doppler scan to check blood flow to the placenta (maybe more, can't remember, sorry) - all fine and no issues - for me preferred trekking up there and having reassurance that I wasnt endangering the baby to induction. I did have membrane sweeps with all 3 of mine though - they are not too bad - might be worth it to get things going?

I am sure you know that there is a statistical risk of stillbirth due to the placenta failing after 40 odd weeks - I think the risk goes up a little bit after 40 weeks and quite a bit more after 42 weeks. That is why they monitor you every other day. It is worth remembering that the day you go up there and they say the baby is fine and the placenta looks ok or whatever, it can apparently change quite quickly, even the next day.

Only you can decide on risks (induced births have an increased risk as well I believe) Personally I was always fine going up to about 10 days or so - especially with expectant management - (only had to first time as the second two came on their due dates) - I think it is quite normal for first babies to be late and this may be normal gestation for you (my SIL has 5 babies and all were 41-43 weeks!).

Good luck!

Some places offer daily monitoring, some every two days. It'll probably be a scan to check placental function and some time sitting with a monitor strapped to your bump listening to baby's heart. We dont get that until 42w here. If anyone tries to engage you in discussion about induction just for being overdue then firmly say 'I do not wish to discuss induction, I have
considered the risks and benefits thank you' - repeatedly if necessary

sorry keep thinking of other things - tbh with regards to the MLU you are between a rock and ahard place ime - if you end up being induced you will be forced to go on delivery suite and if you go much over term at 39 I expect they will try and put you in there too.

Hopefully it will all kick off naturally tonight!

I wanted water birth and MLU with all 3 and was forced onto delivery suite with all of them - also very upset and teary with all of them. Grand scheme of things though - didnt make a huge difference (try and force them to let your partner stay though), dont worry xx

Thanks, flisspaps and befuzzled.