Does your midwife/OB start "extra" tests at 41 or 42 weeks?

[jrose_lee]

Well, we're 40w3d right now and my midwife mentioned that at 41 weeks she would like to do the following:

fetal monitoring to check that heartrate goes up when baby moves
u/s to check amniotic fluid level

I always just thought that everything was considered normal until 42 weeks and that was when "extra" monitoring started. Am I wrong?

I am extremely sure of my estimated due date b/c we were charting and know exactly when we concieved.

Of course I want the baby to be okay and healthy, but I don't like the idea of extra testing and ultrasounds etc. It just seems like the more technology you start relying on the more the results can be wrong and lead to interventions

I know I shouldn't worry much yet....still have 4 days til 41 weeks....come ON baby!!!

[wobblykate]

my mw did this @ 41 weeks and found that my amniotic fluid was too low. also i ended up with a 9 lb baby and i'm glad she didn't grow another week. however, mine had a happy ending b/c i was dilated to 3 and 90% effaced and a membrane strip (and castor oil) put me into active labor.

[Lindsay1234]

My mw prefers not to do any testing but will ASK you if a u/s is ok at 42 weeks or if something seems wrong. She lets mothers go to 43 weeks.

My ob wanted to start the testing at 36 weeks but I refused and agreed to start AFTER my due date (which was yesterday). I agreed to have ONE fluid level check and once weekly (20 min increments) fetal monitoring. I think I read that after 42 weeks youre considered "post-term" but docs never let you go past 42. (at least in my city)

Oh and my ob WANTED me to do:
U/s for weight
3 u/s for fluid
2 hrs a week fetal monitoring

[FischK]

My OB-practice starts monitoring officially at 41 weeks, but during my last check-up at 40+2, the doctor decided to wake up the baby and see how he reacted to it, and he did fine.

I'll go in again on Friday at 40+6, supposedly for NST (30 min max), some other tests (which I assume will be u/s), and discussion of induction procedures. But supposedly until we're closer to 42 (also the cut-off point where I live), I'm the one making the decision on how to proceed.

I don't mind the NST or u/s for fluid levels. Based on my own calculations of EDD based on date of conception, my OB's date may be a couple of days later, meaning I'm actually closer to 41 weeks already. While I don't see a problem with that, I also want to make sure that the baby is still ok.

[Peony]

Absolutely nothing here before 42 weeks. At 42 weeks a consult is needed with another care provider to give the ok to continuing the pg past 42 weeks, this is usually done over the phone.

[JenMidwife]

I think it's fairly routine @ 41 weeks (whether or not they are warranted & evidence based is another question, but I don't think your provider is out of line)

[CEVmommy]

My OB wanted to schedule induction for 41 weeks, but since I refused that, they wanted to at least check with an NST and fluid check. At the testing, baby was deemed "non-responsive" for the NST and the fluid check came back high. Usually they worry the fluid would be too low I guess, but for me they were concerned that it was too high and that could indicate a different set of problems. They strongly recommended inducing right away, and though they left it up to me, we ended up doing it.

[Murph12334]

i had 2 nst the week after turning 40 weeks, and a fluid check

i asked for a membrane strip twice

[EdnaMarie]

nak

no-stress @ end of 41 wks, repeat if not ideal, u/s if poor, induce if all signs (incl. u/s) poor

u/s @ 42 for AF

induce @ 43rd wk unless proven fam. hist. of 43 wk babies

size not a consideration... i would say she errs on side of caution but respects the natural process. she is a hb midwife.