Is it too late to question my due date? (due tomorrow)

[MushroomTree]

Hi everyone,

I'm due tomorrow (first baby) and so far there's been no sign of baby making an appearance so obviously talk has started of sweeps, inductions etc.

My birth plan (and I know these are very much subject to what happens on the day) is a water birth at my local birth centre. If I have to go down the induction route then I'll have to have the baby in hospital, which I really don't want to do.

My concern is that actually my due date should be about two weeks from now, so it would be jumping the gun to start medical intervention - my midwife is offering me a sweep at my appointment next week.

I know when I conceived (could only have been one time) but because of the way dates are worked out it's put my conception at two weeks before I could have been pregnant.

I questioned this at my initial appointment with the Dr and midwife but this was dismissed and I was told I couldn't possibly know when I conceived

When I was sent for my 12 week scan they actually dated me as being 9 weeks and based my due date on that.

I'm just worried that in 2 weeks they're going to be badgering me for medical intervention when actually baby should still have another few weeks of cooking time left.

Is there anything I can do? Having looked into it I know I can refuse an induction, but then I won't be allowed to go to the birth centre anyway so it looks like either way I could end up in hospital and having a birth that is totally the opposite of what I want.

Sorry, this is a bit of a rambling post, and I could be worrying about nothing because she could turn up before they induce me anyway. I just wondered if anyone had any experience of this or advice. Thanks

Due dates are always 38 weeks from conception, roughly.
I had a sweep at 40 weeks with DD1. It was horrid, and didn't work. Went into labour naturally at 40+6.
Refused a sweep with DD2, went into labour at 40+2.
It's completely normal to not have any signs of labour before it actually happening though. I didn't with either of mine. The first sign was the first contraction.

Try not to worry as I think it's you that's dating your pregnancy incorrectly. On the day you conceive you are considered 2 weeks pregnant.

Thanks for all of the advice. I think me getting confused about the dates were me clutching at straws to come up with a reason not to be induced.

I'll do some more research on the alternatives and discuss it with my midwife at my next appointment if baby hasn't arrived by then.

Think of it like 'two free weeks'. No one is ever pregnant at 0-1 weeks. That's just the start of your cycle. Nor are they pregnant at two weeks, that's when your ovulating. By 3 weeks the blastocyst is implanting and at 4 weeks you miss your period. Then you are pregnant! So at 40 weeks it's technically only been 38weeks since you ovulated but it's almost impossible to zero down the exact date for that (I'm very clued into my cycle but I certainly don't know when the sperm and egg decided to fuse each time) so the only way to have a standard is to use the first day of your cycle.
I hope you don't need an induction BUT if you do, try to let go of what you had planned. It is in the past! The worst things I've seen from friends and family is birth disappointment. You grew a baby and birthed it! Never mind the in between. Xxx

Your due date is correct.
You have the right to refuse a sweep, induction or any other medical procedure you don't want.
How about acupuncture? I had a session to try and help things along when I went over 41 weeks. Gave birth a couple of days later but I don't know whether it was the acupuncture or baby was just ready!

A word of warning. You might need to go to the maternity ward for all sorts of reasons. Like you I really wanted to be in the birth centre and use the pool. But I couldn't because there was meconium in my waters and they wanted to monitor DS closely. I'm disappointed that I didn't get the birth I was hoping for, but it was fine. Anyway, my point is, try not to get your heart too set on the birth centre. Hopefully you will be able to give birth there but be aware that your body and baby might have other plans!

Thanks calimommy. Obviously I'd forgotten GCSE biology because I'm sure I covered this at school

NameChange30 I'm OK with the idea of going into hospital if it turns out there's something wrong. My priority is getting my baby out safely. It's just that at the moment there's no reason why I can't go with my birth plan and I'm just not sure that her being comfortable and wanting to stay where she is for a few extra days counts as being "wrong" enough to warrant hospital.

All of the research I've read says that if I'm happy and relaxed giving birth then there's less chance of complications. I know I won't be either of those things if I'm in hospital so I'm trying to avoid it.

But I'll discuss it with my midwife and see what she says. Thanks for the advice.

You'll probably go into labour before it comes to induction anyway!

Try to stop worrying as baby is more likely to come if you're calm and content. Maybe go for a nice walk today and settle into your nest with plenty of snacks hopefully something happens for you soon

As a side point on this, I was all for the birthing centre and a water birth and then the pain came...hello epidural! Please don't get hung up on the fact you really don't want a hospital birth, just see how you cope at the time.