attention labor gurus!
Is it safe to go past 42 weeks? I'm 40+3, and only 1cm dilated. Hardly effaced. Today my midwife checked me and said I'll be getting an ultrasound / BPP next Tuesday. Assuming I don't go into labor, and the BPP goes well, they'll schedule an NST later in the week and an induction no later than 42 weeks.
Thank you sparkling and littlebeebs! I'm honestly trying to be calm and patient and at the same time panicking lol.
41+4 today. Luckily the baby is very healthy in there.
I went to 42+1 with zero signs of labor coming up! No contractions, no bloody show....baby appeared on her own, healthy, happy and perfect :) my midwife would've done a BPP in my second week and if all was well I would've gone to 43 weeks.
Hope you're doing okay mama. I know going over can get to you!
At 40 weeks I was 1cm dilated and that didn't budge until 41+2 when I was 4cm at the bottom of my cervix and only about 1cm at the top. Lots of walking, sex, crazy foods, acupressure and even acupuncture. Finally at 41+4 (while in labor) I was 4cm fully through. I had him at 41+5. If I hadn't had him that day my midwife would have given me herbs to help jump start labor. Give it time. But at 42 weeks I would get induced. My midwife told me at 42 weeks it was induction or they could no longer see me as a patient because my state changed the laws about providing care at 42 weeks. (The law used to say 'after 42 weeks' so midwived took it as they could go through the 42nd week, now it says 'at 42 weeks')
Lol I just want her to come as safely as possible. I know induction puts more stress on her than a spontaneous labor - but if she's unwell then induction may be safer. In the end it's about my baby coming safe and healthy.
My stomach is already torn up with stretch marks so I'm no longer worried about my body lol!
I've been trying everything - pineapple, sex, red raspberry tea, evening primrose oil capsules, walking.... Idk.
I was scheduled to be induced at 42 weeks and I ended up going into labor the night before but I had placenta abrubtion which is when it separates from wall and is pretty much dead and anomic fluid was filled with blood . (Ended up in emergency c) won't always happen but that's why they usually start pushing induction after 41 weeks. I say whatever you AND your Dr agree on cuz let's face it we're not doctors and there's no reason to put baby at risk just to have a natural birth
Eta: I'm not for induction for unnecessary reasons but if nst says so then it's necessary. Also ask your Dr about your Bishop score before hand (:
I went 42 and 5 with my first. He wouldn't budge and i didn't want a c section. They did sweeps, Foley bulb and a pill i cant remember the name of before i went into labor. He was fine( i had nsts every day tho) he came out super wrinkly and old looking haha with super long nails
I planned on getting to 42 weeks without intervention. My water broke at 41+3 after having a check up earlier in the day (during which my cervix was closed) so I'm glad I planned to wait until the last minute.
Whether or not it's safe to carry past 42 weeks may be controversial, but there's nothing wrong with planning on waiting until then because labor could literally begin ANY minute now.
Good luck and God bless!
One of the complications you can run into is that the placenta can get old and start to fail. As long as you're being monitored they should be able to look out for signs of this. I'm not sure of other risks but that's the one I am aware of. As long as you're being monitored and both of you are fine, I see no reason not to wait to go into labor naturally
There is an increased risk from bot mom and baby to go past. MIL went 43 and a half weeks over with DH. He lost two pounds and had the cord wrapped around his neck twice. She ended up with an emergency c section. They said it could have been avoided had her doctor induced by 42 weeks. That's why now, they try to stick to that. That don't mean anything bad will happen to you or your baby, it's just a personal experience. Just wanted to share for you :)
Good luck! Hope baby makes their appearance soon. ☺️
I made it to 41w6d before mine arrived, so fingers crossed he makes it before 42!