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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

EDD is today, midwife says to expect to go 7-10 days after? Are there any stats re EDD's

15 replies

sedgiebaby · 15/09/2010 11:29

I'm thiking...If first pregnancies are generally going overdue, then why do the EDD's not reflect this in some way?

Also I believe my dates are out I was still taking the pill 40 weeks ago today?! Not wanting to bore you but..I stopped on the 10th of december, first day of LMP was 13th, I ovulated 2 weeks later (had the usual and familar to me one side pains) so I believe my Due Date to be this Sat or Sunday instead, not that anyone is interested because my 'Dating Scan' says otherwise.

In view of the foregoing I refused the offer of Stretch and Sweep at 40 wks (as I don't think I'm quite there yet) but just wondering if anyone has any other thoughts or evidence/stats on Due Dates and first babies. TIA

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DonDons · 15/09/2010 11:31

Only 5% of babies are born on their EDD. (from my pregnancy book)

sarahscot · 15/09/2010 11:49

Something like 75% of first babies are overdue.

cardamomginger · 15/09/2010 11:57

And I think ethnicity plays a part too - caucasian women typically have longer gestation than women from other groups. Don't have a reference for this though.... So if you are a white woman expecting her first child, I think that to say that you are "overdue" if you go past 40 weeks, is an inaccurate description. Well, that's going to be my argument when DC doesn't show up in 10 days and I have to start having conversations about induction . Should probably find that reference then....

PinkElephant73 · 15/09/2010 12:07

Your m/w is offering a hostage to fortune. Yes its true that a lot of babies go over dates but this doesn't mean that she can offer you as an individual an accurate prediction of when you will give birth.

I know several people who have had first babies before their due dates so it does happen.

Maybe she was trying to reassure you that it is "normal" to go overdue and you just have to be patient.

I believe that a "sweep" is more uncomfortable and harder to undertake for a first pregnancy, so many MWs don't offer them to "primis" but someone may be along shortly with more info on this.

However if your cervix is favourable for a sweep then it is worth considering as this may have a chance of kick starting labour without having to resort to induction.

sarahbuff · 15/09/2010 12:31

I read somewhere that the majority (don't remember actual stats) of first pregnancies go to 41 weeks (7 days overdue). Mine were 8, 12, and 10 days over scan dates (I refused induction, went into labour myself with all of them) and for my first baby I knew exactly the day I got pregs, so my dates were accurate but they moved them forward 7 days at the 12 weeks scan and, surprise! He was born 8 after the scan date (1 day over my date). Dating scans are notoriously unreliable, the usual disclaimer is up to a week either direction.

Original poster

sedgiebaby · 15/09/2010 17:38

Thanks for the comments, I would like to avoid induction although, MW suggests that its nothing like as 'unpleasant' as years ago and there are far fewer complaints
(everyone I know who has been induced appears to not want it again! But this includes my mum so quite some time ago...)

The Stretch and Sweep I will think about for next week when I see her.

I'm very interested in what sarahbuff says because it indicates own dates were correct, my boss says all four of here came bang on 'her' dates...we will have to see with me!

OP posts:

runningrach · 15/09/2010 20:52

Hi, in some countries (France apparantly, I was told recently by a french woman), they work out your EDD as 41 weeks from LMP. It's not an exact science which is why it irritates me when everyone gets treated as though they have to fit into perfect little tickboxes.

Original poster

sedgiebaby · 17/09/2010 10:50

runningrach - that is really interesting I just saw your comment.. 40+2 today!

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katekitkat · 17/09/2010 14:58

Hi, I don't normally post much but I feel compelled to add a little bit here. I went over due with my first and had about 5 or 6 sweeps which had no impact at all. Some people consider a sweep in itself a form of induction. This time I won't be having a sweep (32 weeks with second). I feel that this is a form of intervention and I would worry that it might start my labour but then if I didn't progress adequately I would end up being induced anyway to be "helped along". Despite waiting and waiting with my first (19 very long days). I did end up having my waters broken but I didn't progress and was ultimately induced with all that came with it. Being induced isn't that bad so long as you do your research and know what to expect. My DD was born healthy after an epidural and vontouse (I had wanted a home birth). Interestingly she wasn't especially big, 7 lbs 14 oz and showed no visible signs of being over cooked like dry skin. Also my placenta was fine.

It is important to do what you feel is right regarding induction but it is worth knowing that you don't "have" to be induced @ 10 or 11 days, you can wait longer it just pays to do some research so know your options.

thesecondcoming · 17/09/2010 16:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PomPotty · 17/09/2010 16:15

runnin - yeap that is true re France - your edd is 41 weeks, or as my odd- gyne like to do it 9 calendar months from the date you conceived (from early dating scan) which works out at about 41 weeks and a couple of days...... anyway I digress, what I meant to say was, that they use this as the date after which they will discuss/encourage/strongarm-- you into induction/c-section.

Good luck sedgiebaby!

PomPotty · 17/09/2010 16:16

failed miserably with my strike outs there...

Original poster

sedgiebaby · 20/09/2010 14:02

Thanks for the comments 40+5 today getting acupuncture later on today, will advise if it works...

OP posts:

LoulouCapone · 20/09/2010 16:27

Aah Sedgie - I had acupuncture too, but not to start labour, just to relax me. I was so relaxed I fell asleep halfway through.

I'm planning on having it again this time too.

Haliborange · 20/09/2010 16:35

I did find some stats when waiting for DD2 which related to white women in North America and which said the average gestation for a first pregnancy (iirc) was 41+1 and for a second pregnancy was 40+3.

With my first I just knew I would be late and was not thrilled about being booked for induction at 10 days over. In the event the hospital ran out of beds, I couldn't be induced and went into labour on my own that night (DD arriving at 41+4).

I also knew DD2 would be more or less on time and she (miraculously) turned up at 40+2, which is practically early for a baby in my family.

It's true that women of different ethnic groups have different norms. One friend is Malay and got very cross when she went past 38 weeks. Baby arrived at 38.5.

Re stretch and sweep, my MW said that they shouldn't really be performed before 41 weeks because the study into their efficacy relates to women at 41 weeks or later so there is no evidence they do anything before then. Which is not to say it wouldn't help, but that there isn't the evidence proving that it can.

I'm sure the baby will come eventually!

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