What happened to full term? - Page 2

[jrayn]

Originally Posted by Devaya

there are several alternative/natural ways to bring on labour which could be tried before resorting to medical induction, but also does anyone consider the psychological side of unresolved issues in the mother's emotions etc, that may need to be addressed before she is ready to give birth? This really struck me when reading Ina May Gaskin's work.

I do, I read one or 2 books from her. If I compare it to the birth of dd1, it makes complete sense when looking back!
.... And as life is now I hope that is isn't all correct I have been trying and to get issues resolved, but it is impossible when others aren't willing or introduce new "issues"!!!!
It is an interesting concept, I didn't even think of before.

[maureen73]

I am still wondering what women in the playgroup would think "CS are wonderful"? I was devastated to have a CS with DS due to high risk factors (blood clottings disorders, cord issues) and just as devastated with Hannah and thinking about it with Jacob. The pain was unbearable for several days and I pushed my way through it with the most minimal of pain medication so it wouldn't creep into my milk supply. I delivered at 38 weeks with my children and will do so again as I am on large doses of blood thinners that need to be out of my system and cannot be countered with Vitamin K with I go into labor on my own. As far as I am concerned it is not a "choice" other than for my life and the life of my child. Is that what I want? Is that what I dreamed of? Is that what I am looking forward to? NOPE! But it is a reality as both my maternal grandmother and mother (with me) died in childbirth of the same condition (uterine rupture, DIC and stroke due to clotting disorder) and I was clinically dead and revived following a hemorrage after a d&c for a missed miscarriage. I will admit I get frustrated hearing stories of women who "choose" to have a c/s for convenience but for the life of me I can't figure out why? It is horrible. For anyone who has not had one it can be difficult to describe the pain and also the disappointment in not feeling like you "really gave birth." Please don't think I am being negative but I just felt this was one time I had to respond to a previous post with my opinion because I hear it all too often and not everyone has the same reason for being in this situation. Thanks ladies for listening.

[gottaknit]

Originally Posted by maureen73

I am still wondering what women in the playgroup would think "CS are wonderful"?

Unfortunately, many women now view cesarean birth as a wonderful and convenient "option", instead of the life-saving last resort procedure they should be. I also know many women who schedule elective cesareans for reasons ranging from "I can schedule it for first thing in the morning, have surgery while my other child is at daycare, and then they can visit me and the baby at the hospital in the evening! It's so much easier than not knowing when I'll go into labor!" to "I have HUGE babies, so I'm having a cesarean at 37 weeks. My first baby weighed over 8 pounds!"

As someone who had a necessary cesarean (and would never choose to do it again!), it is infuriating how cavalier their attitude is about it.

[candyapplez]

Originally Posted by maureen73

I Please don't think I am being negative but I just felt this was one time I had to respond to a previous post with my opinion because I hear it all too often and not everyone has the same reason for being in this situation. Thanks ladies for listening.

I don't think you're being negative. your situation is different. Sorry to hear about your grandmother. That would ground me when it came to childbirth.

[aylaanne]

Originally Posted by maureen73

Please don't think I am being negative but I just felt this was one time I had to respond to a previous post with my opinion because I hear it all too often and not everyone has the same reason for being in this situation. Thanks ladies for listening.

I don't think you're being negative at all, I think you're being realistic. C-sections were INVENTED for situations such as yours, and I don't think for one minute that you made the wrong decision or that your cs was unnecessary. Unfortunately, stories like yours are in the minority. I've attended over two dozen births in the hospital, with at least 1/4 of them by section, and not one of those sections was truly necessary and life-saving. I'm sorry your medical issues preclude the possibility of having a natural labor and birth, but I'm thankful that medical science exists to help you and your children survive situations when your grandmother and mother did not.

As for the OP, my midwives and my Bradley instructor told me that research has shown that a normal primary gestation, when allowed to spontaneously go into labor, lasts 41w1d. Many OBs consider 40w1d to be "overdue" and a reason for induction. Personally, I was 41w4d and DH was 42w3d so I'm not expecting to go into labor early. As others have said, some women "cook" babies faster than others, and I don't like using dates and timelines because it gives women false expectations. Just because you're 36 weeks doesn't mean your baby is ready.

My Midwives' policy is to deliver at home between 36 and 42 weeks. Outside of that range they feel it's more prudent to have medical support, and I agree. But if I, personally, was to go into labor at 36 weeks, I would be very worried about lung prematurity in my baby, because my family has a history of being slower "cookers" (I'm a crock pot!).

[Madeleine'smom]

I have been feeling that this baby will come before 40 weeks and recently asked my MW at what point could I deliver at home. She is comfortable with 36.5 weeks, but the window of time she uses to define full-term is 37-42 weeks. I think it's part of California law regulating midwifery practice i.e., she can attend only full-term births. Births which occur outside this window need to be attended at the hospital, most likely by an OB.

To address the original question, full-term is definitely defined by the medical establishment. By the way, I'll be "full-term" tomorrow- I'll be 37 weeks gestating!

[Banana731]

Maureen, I am so sorry. I totally understand where you are coming from. I found my c/s to be a completely demoralizing experience. I couldn't talk about for a long time without getting really upset, and it completely colored my birth outlook this time. I don't think at this point I could give birth in a hospital, kwim? But I second the PP who said that a woman like you validates obstetrics. It's why we need good OB's and why it's wonderful to have so much technology. Because of these sorts of things you are around to be a good mother to your children. I understand the mourning of your ideal birth though, and you have every right to do so. Kudos to you by the way for waiting until 38 wks, I'm sure many docs and moms would opt to do it sooner.

And yeah, I'm not talking about women who go into labor on their own at 36 weeks or whenever. Obviously if you deliver health babies at 35.4 weeks than that is your ideal cooking time. The push to move up "full term" for the sake of inductions and what not is what concerns me. It would be awesome to see 40+ weeks given the same treatment right? If 36 weeks is fine than why not 42??

[hetaera]

Originally Posted by Banana731

Maureen, I am so sorry. I totally understand where you are coming from. I found my c/s to be a completely demoralizing experience. I couldn't talk about for a long time without getting really upset, and it completely colored my birth outlook this time. I don't think at this point I could give birth in a hospital, kwim? But I second the PP who said that a woman like you validates obstetrics. It's why we need good OB's and why it's wonderful to have so much technology. Because of these sorts of things you are around to be a good mother to your children. I understand the mourning of your ideal birth though, and you have every right to do so.

a BIG :
and

I am trying super hard to stay patient.
My first was born at 35 weeks. (I honestly think I was further along, but according to everyone else... ) So anything after that is unfamiliar territory for me. I am really glad I've made it to 36 weeks. If I were to go into labor this week I would feel more comfortable UCing, whereas before I would probably have went to the hospital. After 37 weeks I am good to go.
Im not going to do anything 'induction wise' but mentally I am cool with having the baby.

It does bother me that in the medical world gestation seems to be getting shorter and shorter... :

[naturalthinker]

Originally Posted by Banana731

so true...

did you see the post in the main pregnancy forum about the 4lbs c/s baby due to an OB using an u/s for weight determination? I would want some answers from that guy.

My sister is the same way about c/s. She's 8wks or so and told me she's scheduling her c/s(because she had one last time and of course things will be the exact same this time. I tried to tell her that it was a horrible idea and she tells me she thinks I'm the one who's nuts and "she'll be praying for me when I'm in labor." I wish I had thought to say, "you should pray for yourself, since you're much more likely to die having a c/s than I am having a VBAC!" But alas, I don't have the silver tongue you've been blessed with.

I can't wait to start sending her all the journal articles I can find on increased maternal mortality and the effects of anesthesia on BFing. There is a pretty new study on how infants born by primary c/s have a higher mortality rate than vaginally born infants, I wish they'd do more studies on repeat c/s and infant mortality, I'd bet findings would be similar!

send her the last copy of Mothering...

[kleines]

What ever happened to just letting "nature take its course." We know for sure that baby won't stay in there forever. I get impatient too, and I *hope* that something will happen sooner than later. Hoping for something and taking action on it (induce, section, etc) are different though! People around here don't even believe that you aren't post dates until 42 weeks. I had a woman scream at me and tell me I was dumb for saying that very recently! yikes.