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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Going overdue - risks??

17 replies

MissBax · 12/07/2017 08:34

Is there more risks to going overdue regards baby's health ? I've looked online and found mixed messages.
My friend has pushed for an induction at 40+3 (not for health reasons) as she seems to believe that it's more dangerous going over, but I thought upto 42 weeks for 1st baby is very normal? Her family are medics and I'm anxious now about going overdue myself if there's something they've told her that I don't know!

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LumpySpaceCow · 12/07/2017 09:47

I work in healthcare (linked to maternity) and tend to find that medics, or family of medics do over medicalise pregnancy and will have very specific requests around timings of induction. I think their main school of thought is that the placenta may start 'failing' after term - but as you say, I think most of the literature points to this being post 42 weeks than post 40. If it was post 40 then they would be booking inductions earlier for everyone and not just the few who happen to be in on some inside information
Term is classed as anywhere from 37-42 weeks and I certainly wouldn't want inducing at 40+3 with my first unless medically indicated.
Maybe have a chat with your midwife/obstetrician as they will be able to explain things more clearly!

Caenea · 12/07/2017 09:50

I was told that it's more likely for there to be the meconium in the waters after 40 weeks.

I was 40 + 4 when I went into labour and DD had pooed in there. It just meant staying in hospital for the labour for monitoring.

If there were risks, as PP said, there'd be inductions before 40 weeks. The biggest thing is that the later you get, the more uncomfortable it gets.

SuperBeagle · 12/07/2017 09:54

My hospital wouldn't induce before 41 weeks unless medically necessary.

Mine were 41+2, 41+4, 42+0 and 41+2 with no problems.

Original poster

MissBax · 12/07/2017 10:00

Is meconium in the waters a danger to baby?

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Orangebird69 · 12/07/2017 10:05

Yes it is. It can block a baby's airway if inhaled when they're born.

LumpySpaceCow · 12/07/2017 10:05

Meconium can be a sign of stress which is why they would want to monitor you during labour. Meconium staining more common after 40 weeks. Thick meconium can be dangerous if the baby is in distress and inhales some before he/she is born so it's more that meconium can indicate distress rather than the meconium just being present at birth.

Original poster

MissBax · 12/07/2017 10:13

So how would I, or the midwife, know if there was meconium in the waters?

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NotAnotherUserName5 · 12/07/2017 10:57

I had meconium in my waters when I had my baby 2 weeks ago. We knew as when I was induced (reduced movement at 40+4) and my waters broke they were a golden colour and not the clear colour they were with my previous births.

Not sure if they can tell prior to birth/labour though. Although I do think my reduced movements were a link for me, also the dips in her heart rate during labour

Original poster

MissBax · 12/07/2017 11:07

Notanother thanks for sharing your experience. I hope you and baby are doing well?
I have been quite anxious throughout this pregnancy due to past MC's and problems conceiving and I feel like something else is going to go wrong. I know many women go overdue all the time but now I'm wondering whether I should try and bring it all on sooner (take the sweep at 40 etc), whereas I had wanted it to all happen naturally and of its own accord. I don't know what to do now.

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Caenea · 12/07/2017 12:24

Like PPs say, if there is meconium in your waters, you'll know about it. They're clear otherwise, mine were a horrible dirty grey, like old dish water.

They popped me onto the labour ward instead of the birth centre and put the straps around my belly to keep an eye on her heartbeat and movements. No complications arose from it in my case. I know it's stressful but please please try not to worry. Meconium is fairly common and midwives know exactly how to deal with it. If you are feeling very anxious though, please talk to your midwife and ask if they can perhaps do a sweep at least.

Policy in my trust area was not to offer a sweep until 41 weeks and they wouldn't offer a full induction unless the sweep didn't work. But it is always always worth talking to your midwife and discussing what would happen.

BentleyBelly · 12/07/2017 13:40

How far along are you MissBax?

I would really recommend doing some pregnancy yoga or relaxation classes if you are feeling anxious, its really helped me chill out.

My first baby was only 2 days overdue but I had it in my head that I would refuse induction unless the baby was at risk. I feel the same way second time around too. Baby comes when baby is ready and induction can cause more problems if they are not ready. They monitor you quite closely towards the end and i think we need to trust our bodies to a certain extent, like a previous poster said birth can be over medicalised sometimes.

Polly2345 · 12/07/2017 14:00

Mine was born 12 days overdue and all was fine. Was offered a sweep at 41+0 but they couldn't do it. Was booked for an induction on 41+5 but went into labour naturally at 41+3.

You due date is an estimate anyway so if you're a few days 'late' you might actually be on time iyswim.

HorridHenryrule · 12/07/2017 14:01

42 weeks and it was a forceps delivery I was very big when I gave birth to him. Apart from that no problems.

Tilapia · 12/07/2017 14:05

I was 8 days late with DC1 and 7 days late with DC2 - no one mentioned induction.

Original poster

MissBax · 12/07/2017 14:30

Thanks all! I'm 33+5 now so still a way to go, I've not been too bad throughout the pregnancy with anxiety but just the last week and I think it's cos my friend keeps hammering on about getting the induction asap to prevent problems. Sometimes I wish people just wouldn't tell me things!

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NotAnotherUserName5 · 12/07/2017 15:06

MissBax-sorry to hear you have had losses.

I can completely relate to how you feel. I had a miscarriage at 13 weeks right before this baby. The anxiety it leaves in a following pregnancy can be awful.

My daughter was/is just fine thanks. Top apgar score after birth too, so the meconium had no impact on her.

I have four children now and have been overdue with all of them. Its more frustrating than a concern usually. It didn't concerned me with my others.

I certainly don't regret getting induced myself. My gut feeling and the doctors opinion was it was the right thing for baby. I wouldn't push for it based on friends stressing you out though.

Anditstartsagain · 13/07/2017 09:06

Being induced is not a nice experience I wouldn't do it unless there was no other option. Ds1's induction was awful my body wasn't ready then with ds2 I was forced to choose an induction because of reduced movements and no ELCS slots being available.

Don't get me wrong if thats what you need to have your baby then go for it I did but it's not a choice I would make just incase. Ignore your friend and hope it all happens naturally.

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