Placenta degrading at 41 weeks?

[chlobo]

So I had a very annoying OB appt today. They made me go in for an u/s last week b/c I was measuring small. So I asked about the results today. Well the OB was clearly looking at them for the first time and it turns out they sent over the biophysical profile but no information about the size, which was the whole purpose for the u/s in the first place. He said he'd call over & have someone call with the results. Sheesh. This is care.

Then he tells me that at my next appointment we have to set an "end date" for the pregnancy. That is, schedule an induction. He said they generally do it at 41 weeks because that is when the placenta starts to degrade.

Anyone know if this is really true? I just can't imagine it does and even if it did, is it a big deal if the baby is still doing ok?

[mkoontz]

There is some evidence to support an increased risk of unexplained still birth after 42 weeks. I think the figures are about 1/500 for each week post 42.

Hope that's helpful

And a degrading placenta may mean that baby is not OK - especially when put under the stress of labour, However as you can see by the stats above by far the majority of placentas are fine..... You just need to make a personal choice

[lyttlewon]

Here is an article I got on the birth board that might help you http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/datesppr.html.

[Isaac'sMa]

Not in your DDC but I went to almost 42 weeks with ds who was fine (and 10 lbs!)...but a FBP showed that the placenta was healthy and when he was born a day later my MW said that the placenta was stage 2 degadation (or some phrase like that, I can't remember exactly) Basically it can start to calcify etc and not properly nourish the baby and filter the baby's waste. It is a real concern...especially if baby is not thriving.

Have you tried natural methods to induce labor?? Starting at 36 weeks you can begin evening primrose oil orally and vaginally...

[cornpicker]

Some placentas can last longer just fine. They should be able to check it out and THEN decide to induce or not, rather than just automatically going there at 41 weeks (which is a guess, anyway). Good luck!

[dctexan]

While it is true that placentas do not last forever (like vernix), it doesn't mean your baby has to come out RIGHT NOW. In my opinion, as long as the baby and momma are doing well, then the pregnancy should be allowed to continue. Note - this will mean that you need to be monitored more frequently...if you object to the frequent monitoring then go it probably IS "safer" to get induced. However, no studies (that I have seen) show any increased risk to a fetus BEFORE 42 weeks. So, if you are positive about your dates, I would argue with your OB about NOT inducing until you are 42 weeks+

Good luck momma!!!

[Jster]

I just attended a birth as a doula where the mom had to fight with her midwives and the supervising OB about going to and then past 42 weeks. They were convinced that she had low amniotic fluid levels, an 11+ pound baby, and a degrading placenta. Baby was born a healthy 9lb 11oz, with enough fluid to flood the room, and the placenta was one of the healthiest the midwives had seen with absolutely no signs of degradation.

If the OB's opinion about when it is "healthy" or "best" for a baby to be born is based, not on evaluating you, your baby, and the whole situation, but just on some arbitrary date, how can that possibly be good care, as you say? If you want to appease him by setting a date for induction, maybe make it 42 weeks, then you can always postpone it if you need to. But plenty of babies are born very healthy after 41 weeks, in fact, the average gestation (average, mind you!) of first time caucasion women w/o intervention is 41weeks 1 day, so obviously, that is when they naturally go into labor. The whole "40" week pregnancy was theorized in the 1800s and has little to do with knowledge of how long women can safely gestate.

Oh, and just fyi, the most important factor in having a healthy placenta (as in having a healthy baby) is the mother's nutrition and condition. Keeping yourself healthy, well nourished, with good vitamin sources, will keep you and baby and placenta all very healthy!

HTH!!

[Blue Belle]

Well said, Jster! I second that!!

[mama2walden&luna]

Originally Posted by Jster

I just attended a birth as a doula where the mom had to fight with her midwives and the supervising OB about going to and then past 42 weeks. They were convinced that she had low amniotic fluid levels, an 11+ pound baby, and a degrading placenta. Baby was born a healthy 9lb 11oz, with enough fluid to flood the room, and the placenta was one of the healthiest the midwives had seen with absolutely no signs of degradation.

If the OB's opinion about when it is "healthy" or "best" for a baby to be born is based, not on evaluating you, your baby, and the whole situation, but just on some arbitrary date, how can that possibly be good care, as you say? If you want to appease him by setting a date for induction, maybe make it 42 weeks, then you can always postpone it if you need to. But plenty of babies are born very healthy after 41 weeks, in fact, the average gestation (average, mind you!) of first time caucasion women w/o intervention is 41weeks 1 day, so obviously, that is when they naturally go into labor. The whole "40" week pregnancy was theorized in the 1800s and has little to do with knowledge of how long women can safely gestate.

Oh, and just fyi, the most important factor in having a healthy placenta (as in having a healthy baby) is the mother's nutrition and condition. Keeping yourself healthy, well nourished, with good vitamin sources, will keep you and baby and placenta all very healthy!

HTH!!

You're not a midwife? You should be a midwife. I would hire you, that is, if I lived in Florida.

[Jster]

Originally Posted by walden's momma

You're not a midwife? You should be a midwife. I would hire you, that is, if I lived in Florida.

Nope, just a doula and child birth educator...but thank you very much for the double compliment! Thanks as well Blue Belle!

[chlobo]

The monitoring they've done thus far have shown no problems.

They are basing the induction date on the 41 week cutoff. I did not discuss it with him further right now but obviously will push the point. I am generally not happy with the care I've gotten from this office. I feel they are very lax and just doing things b/c that's the way they are supposed to do them. However, I doubt I could find another ob at this point.

[twilight girl]

I have a really decent, hands off OB here in Costa Rica (he's American, btw). He gives you a pre-natal card on day one that says normal pregnancy is between 38 and 42 weeks. I just saw him at 37 weeks and he said that he did not need to see me back until week 40, since I am a low risk pregnancy, unless there were contractions, bleeding or decreased fetal movement.

So, I don't know where the arbitrary 41 week cutoff comes from.