what does your CP advise after you pass your "due date"?

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[loveneverfails]

My midwife starts talking about NSTs at 41 weeks, but she'll provide care past 42 weeks in some cases depending on what's going on with the mom and the baby.

[briome]

The two most popular HB mw in this area seem very hands off regarding post dates. I don't know the 'official' stance of either of them but know a lady who was 43 and a few days when she had her baby at home and it was fine. My mw (the other local one) is even less medically minded then that one.
I am sure the other one might offer ultrasounds or other tests and give advice on keeping up the strength of the placeta through nutriton and supplements.

I don't think that was very clear, but I think you get the idea. The OB's in the area do not seem to like if you are over 39 and 5 days over so if you lived here you would likely get induced or cut if your still pregnant at 41 plus-----or be a very combative paitent!

Good luck with that!

[crazyrunningmama]

I saw my mw today. I am 40+1 and she said they aren't worried for at least 10 more days. For typical pregnancies they don't suggest NST's until 41 weeks but she told me that it is the official recommendation for me to get one now since I am technically "high risk", but she completely left it up to me to decide. She also very specifically said that if the results of the NST indicated issues, the topic of induction would still be a conversation and ultimately my decision.

[ann_of_loxley]

Here in the UK, they will 'review' you at about 10 days overdue.
It is totally up to you though what you choose to do. They can not deny you a homebirth. (everyone gets a MW here and they have a care of duty not to leave you alone to labour no matter where you choose - and can not force you out of your own home, etc).

Usually they start with a stretch and sweep if thats what you want. (and if you are choosing a homebirth, there isn't much else they can do)... If you go for pit or something, then you are already stuck in hospital.

I guess if I had to legally choose a hospital birth over a homebirth - then id go for some induction route to get that homebirth! First though - I would try everythign I could naturally...acupuncture, acupuressure, herbs, etc. As thats not a problem here, I wouldn't accept anything because baby will simply just choose not to never come...they all come eventually!

[ssethi]

At my 39th week last week my OB said that I was 50% effaced and the cervix was still posterior. He said going "by the book" it would take 2 weeks for me to get into labor but that's just a rule of thumb, not set in stone. He sounded cool about going into week 41. I am going for my 40+1 appointment this friday so will hopefully know about NST / ultrasound etc.

earlier he mentioned the idea that after week 42 he generally advises induction.

Keeping my fingers crossed for baby to come soon.. but it doesn't seem like it just now.

[Ell-Bell]

I had my 41 week appointment with our midwives (homebirth) and they did a NST for the first time. They said they wouldn't really worry until 43 weeks, but that after the 42 week visit they would need to see me more frequently to check my water and do more regular NST's.

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[mariaz]

We do one fluid level check at 41 weeks and an NST.

Then I think there is another NST at 42 weeks.

After 42 weeks we can't have the baby at the birth center--we have to labor in the hospital.

I have VERY quick labors so when I went 12 days past dates with my last pregnancy I just had AROM to guarantee a birth center birth.

[onlygirls]

After 40 weeks, NST and transfer to hospital after 42 weeks.

With my first 2, facing hospital transfer from a FSBC, I induced with caster oil as per my M/W.

2 oz mixed in pancake batter for breakfast (blueberry pancakes), 2 oz mixed in scrambled eggs for lunch (breakfast burrito) and I was good to go. Had my babies within 24 hours.

Last one was a homebirth and I went into labor on my own.

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[dogretro]

My midwives practice out of a hospital & will not even do an internal unless you request it I am scheduled for an NST at 41+1 and an ultrasound at 41+4. That is it so far. I cannot be pit induced (VBAC) & there has been no discussion of any other kinds of inductions, other than they know I am inserting EPO at times.

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[AustinMom]

Personally, I battled this with my last pregnancy. Here is the thing, if you are ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN of your CONCEPTION date, then I'd trust your "due date". We are this time, last time not. Even first trimester u/s can be off by 5 days. So, the reason past 42 weeks is scary is because the risk of still birth goes up. Not my much, and not enough for me to induce at 42 weeks, but that's a personal decision. Post dates babies are very rarely post mature babies, even at 42 weeks. I'd recommend reading Medical Myths VS Research Realities, they have a whole section on post date babies, and it's very factual, and most MW have a copy or know another MW who does.

I would worry about NST till 42 weeks, that's just me. I would though keep track of baby movements, and if you find that baby is moving a lot less or a lot more, then I'd go in for NST. Pick a time of day, usually the same time, after the same activities, like, after dinner for ex, and count how long it takes baby to kick, move, wiggle, jult, 10 times (hiccups don't count of course). It's ok if it takes 1 hr, or if it takes 2 minutes, as long as that is what is consistent for your baby. This is something you can do now, to keep track on "normal" for your baby. If for a week it takes 10 minutes to get to 10 movement, and then one day it takes 1 hr, and then the next 1.5 hrs, I'd tell your MW right away.

[Ell-Bell]

Why would you worry about a NST before 42 weeks? Our mw did it at 41weeks, all they did was wiggle the babys butt whe listening to the heartrate to see if it increased sufficiently. Seems harmless to me...

[Ell-Bell]

Our midwives (homebirth in Oregon) don't regularly do internal exams, but I asked for it at 40 and 41 weeks.

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[Lovin_Life]

I am 40+2 today and my midwife (vbac delivery at a hospital) wants me to come in for an u/s at 41 weeks and then at 42 weeks if baby is still in good position she wants to break my water to bring on labor. I hope I don't even make it to 41 weeks though. I know I will be getting an NST but not sure when.

[AustinMom]

Originally Posted by Lovin_Life

I am 40+2 today and my midwife (vbac delivery at a hospital) wants me to come in for an u/s at 41 weeks and then at 42 weeks if baby is still in good position she wants to break my water to bring on labor. I hope I don't even make it to 41 weeks though. I know I will be getting an NST but not sure when.

I don't understand why care providers can't tell a baby's position by external palpitations? I think this is a illegitimate reason for a u/s, and you will probably be told (as most often moms are, but I hope you are not) the baby is too big, the fluid too low, the placenta ageing, etc, etc, etc. All things that are of opinion, and not backed up by studies or facts or LOGIC to induce, but moms commonly are.

Again, there are a few other threads on breaking water to start labor, I'd look into those and some other studies to see if it's a smart decision for your health.

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