homebirth mamas still pregnant - when will your MW start trying to induce?

[Beppie]

By induce, I mean by natural methods, of course.

There's a real possibility I'll still be pregnant on Christmas (I'm 40 weeks + 2 days now). But just wondering when mws usually start with the natural methods. At 41 weeks? or do they wait until 42 weeks?

Also, what methods do you think your mw might use?

Just curious!

[Sihaya]

My mw doesn't push induction at all - by natural means or otherwise. At 43 weeks she wants me to go into the hospital for a NST/BPP. I highly doubt I'll make it that far.

I think you should ask your mw what their policies are if you don't already know because they vary widely from practice to practice and can depend on the laws in your state. I know my mw is one of the more laid back ones I've heard of (that's why we picked her!) and there are no laws governing CPMs in my state, so she has no pressure on her legally.

[wife&mommy]

I don't know what all my MW will consider letting me do but she mentioned at 41 weeks talking about some things. That's Monday's appt for me... so we'll see. She mentioned stripping membranes last week if I wanted. At 42 weeks you have to be transferred to the OB so I'll try a lot before letting that happen again.

[Beppie]

In my state I think homebirths need to take place before 42 weeks. Although my mw is willing to do a homebirth beyond 42 weeks, I definitely think she'll be trying to encourage things along before that date, using acupressure and other methods. She'd rather not do one beyond 42 weeks, but she's not going to make me change my plans if I'm still pregnant on Dec. 28.

[Lizzardbits]

The community midwives have to go by policy and induction talk (read: pressure) starts at 41 weeks.

[MCKH]

I think it depends on the reasons. Since I've met my deductible for this year my MW suggested accupuncture and a few other things if I go past my due date (the 25th.) If I have a 2008 baby I owe 2,500 out of pocket. And I would personally choose an induction (even a medical one, if natural didn't work as horrible as it sounds) 10 days past my due date, for various reasons.

[crsta33]

I know that I have to transfer to OB care at 42 weeks. I have an appointment Tuesday, I'll be 40 + 4. I hope they don't pressure to strip membranes or anything else. I don't mind discussing options and I might be willing to try something at 41 weeks. But right now, I'm very reluctant to try *anything*. I feel very strongly that LO is resisting labor b/c he's not in an optimal position and I'd hate to get things going with him in a difficult position. I'd rather try to gently help him get where he needs to be. I have a feeling labor will start when he's in the right place.

I have already considered what happens if this pg continues. I'll be 42 weeks on the 28th. I'll contemplate a hospital induction at that point, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

Christa

[Momma2DoubleCuties]

I haven't even discussed this with my mw yet. I'm just over 38 weeks though.

[starry_mama]

Since *I* hired my midwives, not the other way around, *I* will make any and all decisions about induction, not them.

[Right of Passage]

We haven't really discussed it, techincally (according to state law) she can't do an inductions for a VBAC. Though she does have a few tricks up her sleve, I don't think I'm going to make it much past 42 weeks ::knockonwood::

[Elsaraw]

Mine won't do anything but if I'm still pregnant by the end of the year (which I really doubt right now) I will start doing natural stuff on my own because we really, really can't afford to jump into the new year with deductibles and stuff.

[starry_mama]

Oh yea, and as far as laws in my state, I believe they said they had to have someone other than themselves warn me of the risks past 42 weeks, and that is it.

[zjande]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

Since *I* hired my midwives, not the other way around, *I* will make any and all decisions about induction, not them.

Yes, I think this is a very good point! I agree.

But, I somehow ended up with the most ridiculous "midwives" I've ever heard of. I know you guys have all heard my rants, but this is just reason #456 that we decided to have a UC: my midwife's office (a practice of 6 CNMs that only attend hospital births) "require" me to come in at 40 weeks for non-stress tests & "monitoring". I would then be "required" to deliver "prior to 42 weeks". Insert Big fat Eyeroll here.

I am going to try reallyreallyreally hard not to attempt my own induction with castor oil & the like out of pure impatience because I want my UC to go as smooth as possible. I used the oil & cohoshes last time, flew crazily into labor, & had mec in the water & hemorrhaged after. Sooo, I'm just gonna try ( : !!) to be perfectly patient.

[Beppie]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

Since *I* hired my midwives, not the other way around, *I* will make any and all decisions about induction, not them.

Well, I agree with this too. But to be honest, once 41 weeks arrives and progresses on with no signs, I'm happy to try some natural methods of induction. I should emphasize the word ***natural***

My mw is very laidback about it all. She would never make me do anything I don't want to do. And we've never discussed having to go to the hospital past 42 weeks. In fact, I know that's not in the plan. If things proceed past 42 weeks, we'll just step up the methods we're using, that's all.

[mrsrayray]

Originally Posted by starry_mama

Since *I* hired my midwives, not the other way around, *I* will make any and all decisions about induction, not them.

:!!!

my midwife is pretty laid back though, and i think it'd be at least 42 weeks before she'd mention anything... it's not like due dates are an exact science.

[transformed]

At 41 weeks, they make me consult with an OB (by law)

But sometimes they have multiple due dates they can "play with."

I assume they will want to strip my membranes but I also think they would be open to other methods I might want to do.

[starry_mama]

Originally Posted by Beppie

Well, I agree with this too. But to be honest, once 41 weeks arrives and progresses on with no signs, I'm happy to try some natural methods of induction. I should emphasize the word ***natural***

My mw is very laidback about it all. She would never make me do anything I don't want to do. And we've never discussed having to go to the hospital past 42 weeks. In fact, I know that's not in the plan. If things proceed past 42 weeks, we'll just step up the methods we're using, that's all.

I'm not saying natural induction methods are all bad - if I'm still pregnant in a month, I will probably be at least considering them myself. I just mean that it should ALWAYS be mama's call, not the midwife, ya know?

[transformed]

Meconium can be dangerous-so I can understand the induction. I would be very very nervous if I went past 42 weeks. Because I dont want poo in babys lungs!

[Quindin]

My midwife just informed me this Saturday that I would not be "allowed" to go past 42 weeks. Not only for a homebirth, but I would not be allowed to go past 42 weeks AT ALL! So she said I should go in the hospital this week and schedule an induction for December 28th even though I am turning 42 weeks on New Year's day. Why? Because it is a holiday and it would be complicated for the hospital!! :

I was sad and shocked at first, but I have since been told by a homebirth support group that she has NO RIGHT to say what I am "allowed" or not "allowed" to do and that it is a common lie they tell women who want to homebirth here in the UK. They HAVE to send me a midwife no matter when I give birth and nobody can tell me where or when I should give birth! If there is nothing wrong with the baby, why should I let them push me around?

So I am just going to write a letter to the head of midwifery - the ladies told me that would be more than enough

[*MamaJen*]

I don't know. The topic's never come up with my midwife. I've never felt any due date pressure from her, though I guess if I went to, like, 42 or 43 weeks we'd want to make sure the baby was healthy.