Post-dates pregnancy: Term plus 18 days today

[Fleurey]

Anyone had experience of this ? I myself was born at term plus 19 days

Hospital (senior registrar) fine with going to 43 weeks then will see consultant(have given me the royal college figures on the increased but tiny risk after 42 weeks). Going in daily for monitoring but would love to hear from other postdates mums for support.

Midwife supervisors supportive but community midwives edgy (home birth, fingers crossed)- they keep talking about other risks but not giving me any evidence based info. Told I had to be induced at first (had to find out alternative for myself - RCOG and NICE guidelines) also not good experince with doctors before seeing senior. One was talking about increased stillbirth after 42 weeks, I asked him what the increase was because we wanted to make an informed choice - he said "er well that's an exam question" !!!!!
another asked me if I had any history of mental problems !

Sorry not had experience but hope it happens for you soon

Thank you !

I went term +16 and had no plans for induction even though they thought i had bugger all fluid. Turns out there was fluid a plenty so i think the doctors came up with that nonsense to put pressure on me.

The still birth risk increase is very small and nobody knows why it occurs. I weighed up that risk against the risks associated with induction, medicalised birth, dirty hospital etc etc.

How are you feeling? If it all feels fine to you try not to worry and maybe buy some black cohosh or something to help get things moving.

I had ds at 43 weeks according to the scan date they gave me (which of course, they swore by!). I also asked just what the risks were and was only told "still birth" rather than anything I could actually base a decision on.

Unfortunately, I caved in and had a failed induction which lead to a c-section. I now know differently but ds was my first and found it too difficult to stick to my guns.

Whatever you do, best of luck, hope it goes well (and soon!)

Good luck, Fleurey.
Glad you've finally found a supportive doctor.
And at the comments of the others!

Hi there!

I'm overdue too!

40+13 by LMP dates
40+18 by scan dates

Don't really know what to say, but I keep thinking it has to be here soon

Thankfully am with a very supportive independent midwife who is visiting me twice weekly and liasing with hospital.

I had a internal on Friday and although thinning, the cervix wasn't agreeable for a sweep.

I think I'll wait until 43 weeks until I consider induction, and don't think I will go that long as 28 day regular clockwork cycle so sure of dates. It is our first.

It is awful how the hospital bully you, I had the same stillbirth comments though it's based on a 60's study and it is thought that babies lost at this time had congenital abnormalities, so they could have been induced but dies after birth anyway.

I want a home water birth, and worry sometimes if I'm just being too stubborn and should I bow down to the pressure.

How are you feeling today?

BunnyBaby

hi by my lmp dd was 5 weeks late, by hospital scan dates she was born 41+2 i know it correct by my lmp as i tested + before there scan dates say i concieved!
hope you dont wait too long for your baby to make an apperance.
also i didnt get any stretch marks till she was overdue by my lmp and my so called bh became more regular at the point when she was due by my lmp and my mo said she looked like my sis did who was 5weeks late!

mo was mom sorry

Thank you so so much all for supportive comments they really help at this time !!! It is great to know that I am not the only one - or the one that has gone the furthest past term ever!

I so want to have a water birth at home and still feel that whilst baby is healthy (have baby's heart rate monitored for 30 mins a day - very active baby and have had ultrasound to check for fluid etc) I don't want to go down the induction road and the risks that this can potentially bring.

Bunnybaby -sounds like we are in the same boat! Your midwife sounds great. Other than having to battle with policies, protocols and scare tactics (I have found it really really hard to say NO to them) I feel really good physically and mentally and baby seems fine. I too think whether I should give up (I think about this many times a day!) but at present I am just trusting that my body and baby will come when the time is right - and yes it is a tiny risk. My cervix is in the same way as yours -taking its time - lets hope things happen soon....please let me know how you get on.

I have been thinking that we take tiny risks every day - crossing the road for example! I found a great couple of pages from the royal college of midwives website - really cheered me up!

www.rcmnormalbirth.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1099658490375 and www.rcmnormalbirth.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1098878440156

Thanks again to all for your support.

from a study done in 1998 the risks are reported as follows

"The risk of stillbirth increases from one per 3000 continuing pregnancies at 37 weeks to three per 3000 continuing pregnancies at 42 weeks to six per 3000 continuing pregnancies at 43 weeks." A similar increase in neonatal mortality is also reported.

I'm not saying this to scare you, but to reassure you that although the risks increase, it is still a VERY small risk.

Good luck & I hope things get moving for you soon.

Thanks Fleury - will keep you posted, and it seems we're in the same boat. My midwife is round tomorrow so will have another check so we'll see, then I'm in the hospital on Tuesday for them to monitor me.

Will check out the RCM site, and sending strong labouring vibes your way!

Hi Fleury,

Any news yet?

My midwife came to see me today, I'm now 42 weeks by LMP and 42+5 by scan. As I am as regular as clockwork, it is unusual to go over the 42 week threshold.

It would seem that by "hubby sweeps" this weekend worked somewhat and she was able to do a sweep today. Tomorrow I have to go to the hospital for monitoring. I believe they will put me under a lot of pressure to induce. I'm also going to see my reflexologist for her to do a stronger priming treatment tomorrow evening, MIdwife is round Wednesday, I have to be monitored as hospital on Thursday and it is likely they will induce me then - though I would prefer Friday.

Hopefully Baby decided to come earlier than Thursday.

Bunny Baby

Has the baby's head engaged? If not, I wouldn't let them induce until they scanned the cord and showed my that is was not wrapped around the baby. Sometime, if the baby is wrapped up a lot in the cord, it keeps the baby from dropping down to engage. And if that's the case then the head isn't resing on the cervix and that could be why you aren't going into labour.

And, IF this is the case, then that baby is probably not going out vaginally.

I only tell you this because (obviously) this happened to me. I was induced, and it ended in emergency section. I personally thing the should have done a scan and said "oh look, it's baby tarzan!" and we could have then made some calm well thought out decision rather than a failed induction, baby in distress, crash section at 3am...

I later learned (on Mumsnet) that if you are overdue and the baby has not engaged then it could be a sign that either the baby is wrapped up in the cord or the head is too big to engage in your pelvis. Either if these things will most likely lead to a section.

And, of course, a scan will also tell you if the cord is not wrapped around the baby and then you can rest assured knowing that this isn't a problem.

I think induction is used as a matter of course, and they ought to do a bit of research to see why you are overdue before they they run off and induce you without knowing what is causing the delay.

I had a CS after hanging around for two days at 42 weeks, it did turn out in the end that DS was completely wrapped up in the cord, as Gloria said. I would have much preferred a scan to find this out in the first place rather than hanging around for 2 days trying everything else, when there was actually no way the poor bugger could come out by himself!

Still pregnant ! term plus 19 days today.

So far have tried pineapple, homeopathy, acupressure/ shiatsu, raspberry leaf, chiropractic (for pelvis alignment), curry, talking to baby, visualisation, walking. Had sweep on sat but cervix still tubular - inner bit still closed so they could not sweep the membranes and still posterior but soft. They tried to pull it forward at bit. Was -3 spines engaged on sat - hopefully lower now fingers crossed - but have read somewhere that first time babies are at -2 at the start of labour.

Trying sweep tomorrow again. Had ultrasound last tuesday and asked about the cord then - she said it was hard to tell but seemed fine (but will ask about this cord stuff when see consultant at 43 week mark on wed - thanks for this)

Baby still very active (think it makes a point of performing for the CTG monitoring).

Bunnybaby- I am pretty regular too and am certain of dates but have read that long gestations run through the female line (as stocking filler mentioned too) and as I was induced by my mum at 19 days post term I am assuming that we carry longer but this has not been researched much as far as I know. Her 3rd baby, my brother was 14 days over and came naturally.

However I am beginning to doubt whether my body is capable of going into labour! It is so hard - I think the consultant will pressure induction on wed.

I have been calling AIMS for support as thay offer an alternative viewpoint to the NHS and Beverley Beech there said that they get loads of women ringing in our situaton but because nearly everyone has induction before 42 weeks then the women who would have gone over 42 weeks are not there anymore so we cannot do more research on this.

I have read loads and loads to try to inform myself of what is best to do. Thanks betsyboop it is reassuring to know I am looking at the same figures. Eventually when I got an answer from a doctor at the hospital quantifying the risks involved she quoted these also -so this helps me to know that I have not missed some important bit of research as each doctor and midwife has said some other risk to me and not given me any evidence to back it up.

I would give anything to have a crystal ball at this point! - Bunny baby let me know how you get on.

Fleurey I just wanted to say good luck and well done you for sticking to your guns. I caved in to be induced at +16 days and it's one of the biggest regrets in my life; I know that sounds ott but I really do view it like that.

Lulumama always suggests sex (because the semen contains something that softens your cervix) and nipple twiddling (stimulates oxytocin - I think). She knows more about it than I do so would be able to tell you much more!!

Thanks for the encouragement MerryXMoss - very much needed.

• Will try after hospital trip today !

Thanks for the information on the position of the cord. Baby is 4/5 engaged, but as we are there this afternoon, it makes sense to request that they check this properly with an ultrasound.

After the midwife sweep, we went for a swim and this triggered light contractions, so we also tried the hubby-sweep, raspberry leaf tea tablet, evening primrose internally, and I rubbed clary sage and lavender into bump. This continued the light contractions, 8 mins apart until this morning.

However as this is similar to what happened on Saturday night, I just want to see if it pregresses further. Midwife said that last run of contractions moved cervix down partially, and allowed her to get one finger in cervix to sweep. So this run may have done more of the same. Then it's apparently a domino effect. Will ask hospital midwife's to repeat the sweep.

Really want the baby to come naturally. However and willing now to take induction on thursday as Dad's brother was stillborn and no-one really knows why and this thought niggles at the back of my mind.

Should I get to Thursday and they induce, and the baby comes out not looking over-cooked, and my placenta's in good shape, I'll know I'm just a "slow-cooker". And will hold on longer for subsequent pregnancies that go over.

I heard that gestation follows father's genealogy. MIL went 2 weeks over with BIL and GMIL went 2 weeks over with MIL. On my side of the family most babies come within a week of EDD. Maybe it's just personal to each of us.

Good luck at the hospital today Fleury, let me know how you get on!

BunnyBaby

I went 13 days (twice, with baby 2 and baby 3 )over and I had totally had enough by then.

It was fine. Being induced is not as bad as a lot of people say.

I had very quick labours (1 hr 55 and 1 hr 24) after having my waters broken. Both times I was told that there was no way the waters would go on there own, the sac was too strong.

I was certain of my dates too.
It gets a bit awkward if you aren't quite sure of your dates or had very irregular periods.

Good luck

Good luck Bunnybaby! I was 42.5 weeks and eventually succumbed to induction. DD born covered in vernix and v. healthy placenta and so now know I take a little longer. I was really pressured by hospital and horrid doctor who actually told me my baby was really at risk and compared waiting to leaving your car unlocked outside your house, can you believe? Did you know that in France they set due dates at 42 rather than 40 weeks?

Great about the contractions etc Bunnybaby! Hope baby comes before thurs for you but if not hope you have a great birthing - It is difficult times when thinking about stillbirth isn't it and we just have to go with what we think is the right thing to do. Am changing my mind many times a day.

Went to the hospital and had a look around the labour ward today with lovely midwife and asked for info about induction (as no one medical had offered us any info before - have read up on it myself). We haven't agreed to anything yet - seeing consultant tomorrow. Hubby was 16 days late and induced with castor oil apparently- will ask MIL if she was overdue.(so what with my 19 days late when my mum was induced with me ..!)

On a lighter note have looked up the world record for longest pregnancy and found a webpage of a doctor in Texas - gestation 17 months 10 days - no way !!!

Lets keep our fingers crossed that our babies are out soon !

Sorry to hear you are so overdue Fleurey and Bunny. I really hope things start naturally very soon.

I was in a similar position 13 months ago - 41+5 and no scheduled induction (midwives had forgotten to book me in). I was really against an induction, but my boredom of being pregnant, and the fact that I'd tried everything to kick things off and it hadn't worked, meant that when they did book me in for an induction the next day (coz i was SO old - 37!) - I just accepted it.

Returning to the point (and not trying to belittle your concerns) - induction isn't that bad, nor are emergency c-sections. Please take heart from this reassurance, and try not to worry about not having your planned birth.

Good luck, and whatever happens - don't forget to take in those anti-septic wipes to the hospital!

ah guys i know how you must be feeling, i went 42+2 and it is the longest wait ever...i tried every remedy going and when i went for a sweep i was told my cervix was'nt ripe enough to do one, i was so upset as just wanted baby to come. i eventually went in to be induced 14 days over due date and only needed 1 prostaglandin tablet to kick start things and i went onto have a normal birth, no interventions no tears, just a lot of gas and air and pethidine. i was told by midwife afterwards that she was still quite small (6lb 15 oz) considering she was so late and that she was probably not really overdue as my cylce is quite irregular anyway...i would say just make sure you moniter babys movements all the time and go in for monitering as they advise and good lluck!!

I went three weeks over with DS2 and I almost bit their hands off when they offered to induce me. Living the maximum distance from the hospital meant I was very relieved not to be giving birth in the car .

According to the EDD, I was only two weeks over. I had had two sweeps. DS2 arrived safe, sound and pretty fast, once the contractions kicked in - and afterwards, I was told my placenta was very ropey. BTW, my Mum went over a similar amount with me.

Good luck - it is a huge relief to finally hold them. Oh, the brilliant thing was I had milk straight away!

Latest update...

well I went in for monitoring again, and the consultant popped into give me a scan. It would seem that baby is posterior, which explains full on contractions stopping for no real reason. Apparently there isn't enough pressure on the cervix to tip me into full labour.

They confirmed the show and my cervix and body are completely ready, just need little one to turn through 90 degrees.

They checked cord and it wasn't round baby or baby's neck which was good. Placenta and blood flow also excellent.

It's amazing to think if baby hadn't turned on Friday, I would have probably tipped into labour Saturday, and be over on the post-natal thread, as I've been contracting since Friday, but no pressure from baby to get things established.

So unless baby moves tonight - we'll be in the hospital in the morning.

Good luck Fleury, and thanks for all the messages to Fleury, they have helped me too. Will update on the induction, hopefully it will be a positive experience!

BunnyBaby