How long will they let you go past your due date?

[livelovelaugh]

I am hoping to have my second VBAC any day now - I was due yesterday, so now just waiting and waiting. I have an appointment tomorrow with my midwives, but they are new to me as I have had to switch b/c of a VBAC ban at our local hospital. Anyway, I know it is different from practice to practice, but I would love to hear some different experiences from those who have gone past their due date with a VBAC. I want her to come on her own and soon, and I don't want to go anywhere near a c-section!

[AlexisT]

it's quite variable. NST at 41 weeks, RCS at 42 would be typical, but some OBs are rushers. 41 weeks is the new standard in some areas, even though the evidence isn't very good.

Very few practices like you to go past 42 weeks (I don't like the term "let" in this instance, since I think a doc can only "let" you do things that are directly under his/her control, and surgery is your choice). If they do, most hospital based providers will want you to do monitoring.

[BreakfastyMichele]

I don't like the term "let" either, but my doc will let me go to 41w5d. (My due date is a Saturday, and they do scheduled c-sections on Mondays and Thursdays only. They'd let me go to 42 weeks if that were a Monday or Thursday.)

[hapi2help]

My Dr told me 41 weeks in the beginning of this pregnancy but I am not sure if that is 41 weeks 0 days or 41 weeks 6 days.

I am 39 today and am wondering what the real answer is too.

Will your care provider induce or auto csec? I think my Dr will induce......I think.

[Mom2M]

Mine wanted 41 but pushed it to 42 with good BPP's. I did have a section scheduled though for the Monday after she was born! She came just in time and I bet yours will too!

[livelovelaugh]

Yes, sorry about the "let," I hear you. Poor word choice - though this long drawn out VBAC fight for me has been all about what the hospitals and docs will and will not "let" me do. So wrong and I was at least able to stay with my regular midwife for the majority of my pregnancy, but our local hospital has banned VBACs, so until ACOG changes their statement small tow hospitals like mine are the ones calling the shots. I don't think I would feel very comfortable going past 42 weeks, either...hopefully I won't have to worry about any of this!! Hopefully baby will come tomorrow and show these folks who is really in charge!

[Monkey Keeper]

We will discuss induction at 41w--we'll try a Foley/AROM/nipple stim and possibly some low dose pit at some point after that.

[AustinMom]

I'm a HBAC mom and thankfully, I have a very supportive MW, who 'let's' me make my own decisions as to when too long past is too long. For me, it'd be 43 weeks at the earliest, and I'd have to do some more research to feel comfortable going further.

In any case, as a PP said, surgery IS YOUR CHOICE. Especially WHEN. They can't come to your house knocking on your door with scalpel in hand. So I'd go as long as you feel comfortable, and go from there. If you are 'forced' to schedule a CS due to 'late' baby, I'd schedule it for 42 weeks or as far out as they will 'let' you, and then not show up for it, and wait for labor.

The book Medical Myths VS. Research Realities has a whole section on 'post date babies'

If you are worried about baby getting 'too big' in those final days, trust you body that it won't build a baby bigger than it can birth, and know that around term, the baby's weight gain actually plateaus and he/she doesn't grow as much as he/she has before.

[CoBabyMaker]

Funny that you should ask. I switched at 20 something weeks to a homebirth MW who is fine up to 42 weeks at which point she recommends a NST. I was originally seeing and OB that will only allow a VBAC if you go on your own prior to your due date. My due date was the 7th (my midwife and I decided to move it to the 11th based on my cycles but most OBs won't do that it seems) so yesterday I just realized that I would have been scheduled for a c/s on WEDNESDAY. I am SO grateful for my midwife!

[boatrat]

This is my question as well. DS1 was two weeks "overdue". I ended up having a c/s due to complications with my heart that occurred during his labor, which have since been fixed via a completely curative procedure, so that should not be an issue this time.

However, I'm afraid that my OBs and midwives will not be on board with waiting until 42 weeks this go-round. So far, they have said that we could go until 40 weeks plus a few days...I'm pretty sure I can push that until 41 weeks.

They will of course try to induce me with a foley bulb, followed by pit if unsuccessful. They have not mentioned scheduling a c/s and are supportive of my VBAC decision. However, I know my chances of having a successful VBAC will be higher if I go into labor on my own...come on little fella!

My "due date" is July 10th. Let's hope this little guy decides to make his appearance within the next week or so.

[cairomama]

My midwife said 42 weeks (with good NSTs) and then induction 42, 1 the next day. It really took the pressure off. I went into labor on my own at 39 1/2 weeks, but it was great not to have the pressure.

[smeep]

Originally Posted by boatrat

This is my question as well. DS1 was two weeks "overdue". I ended up having a c/s due to complications with my heart that occurred during his labor, which have since been fixed via a completely curative procedure, so that should not be an issue this time.

However, I'm afraid that my OBs and midwives will not be on board with waiting until 42 weeks this go-round. So far, they have said that we could go until 40 weeks plus a few days...I'm pretty sure I can push that until 41 weeks.

They will of course try to induce me with a foley bulb, followed by pit if unsuccessful. They have not mentioned scheduling a c/s and are supportive of my VBAC decision. However, I know my chances of having a successful VBAC will be higher if I go into labor on my own...come on little fella!

My "due date" is July 10th. Let's hope this little guy decides to make his appearance within the next week or so.

If your first surgery was based completely on a no longer existing condition, why not go to or past 42w if baby came out fine (no signs of being "overcooked," etc.)? I would push it back or refuse a repeat section. Babies in my family come 41-43 weeks. DS was 41w5d (no section, I just like to pop in this forum). If a HCP told me 40w + a few days was the limit, I would simply not show up. Babies in my family simply aren't ready then. Perhaps that is your case. My mw does weekly ultrasounds after 41w to make sure all looks well but, assuming all is well, doesn't induce unless something comes up.