Who's at term?

[honeybee]

Just wondering if we can start expecting some baby stories anytime soon? I'll be 37 weeks on Wednesday, but would stay home at this point as well. Despite that, I'm really not expecting this baby for another 4-5 weeks (my other 2 were nearly 42 weeks). I do have all the basic birth and baby supplies I need, though, so if babe is fully developed and ready, I wouldn't be too upset if (s)he came a bit earlier!

Anyone else think it might be sooner rather than later? Here's wishing everyone "happy labor vibes" if babe is ready, and "enjoy the rest of your pg" vibes if you or babe needs more time.

:::

[venustx]

You can expect mine within a week and a half, though I'm only 33w6d today.

[starparticle]

I'm due on 9/1...and my first two were two weeks and one week early.

But I would far prefer to make it to September - we are in the midst of a remodel and I'm far from ready

[Alcyone]

I'll be 37 on Wed. too. I don't have any intuition about being early or late, so I'm just thinking 41 weeks as seems to be average for first-timers. So that means in about a month!

[frontierpsych]

I'm 37 weeks today

Hoping the baby will stay in at least another week, preferably two or three, realistically four or five, hopefully not more than that! I'm at least a *little* anxious!

[truelife]

I'll be 38 weeks on Thursday! Both of my boys were 10 days late, but for some reason I think this little one will make her appearance on/before her EDD.

[SuperSarah11]

I am 37+1 or 36+4, depending on who you ask. DH and I were talking about it and because of my maternity leave/seperation from the military I need to make it at least until Labor Day. I went 42 weeks and was induced with DD1, so we'll see how impatient/cozy this one is!

[Scalpel]

We will be 37 weeks on friday and are down to weekly Dr's visits now....we go to the drs again today at 11:30....last visit she was were 50% effaced so it will be intresting to see if there is anymore progression. Dp last day of work is the 20th and mine the 22nd. I told dp she as to wait at least until then if she can hahaha. Our dr said he can induce when we are at 39 weeks if we havent gone by then or for sure at 40. Its so surreal to imagine that in 2 1/2 weeks I will be holding my first child!!!

[sarbear]

Originally Posted by starparticle

But I would far prefer to make it to September - we are in the midst of a remodel and I'm far from ready

My due date is 9/2, though I guess with twins they say they could come anytime between now and then (or maybe after - please, no!)

We are also finishing up a remodel though, and are staying w/ my parents. We will stay here until a couple weeks after the twins are born most likely, since the house is still a few weeks from being livable. For that reason, I wouldn't mind if they waited a couple more weeks to make their debut, but my body is SO ready!!

[alyssatuininga]

Yesterday was 36 weeks for me (which my midwife considers full- so yesterday was my go day). I can have the baby at home now. I am thinking though that it will still be another 3 weeks or so. I am guessing this babe will arrive last week of August (due technically Sept 7th but my boys were both a bit early).

[Mamato3wild ponnie]

I'm 34+6 today, and went 2 weeks early with baby#3...hopefully we will go early this go around also. But i'm prepared to go later. Just getting harder to move around and get anything done.

[guestmama9920]

my induction is the 18th or it may be before

[moderngal]

Another one that is 37w on Wednesday!!
I'm hoping to go close to my edd, but since Wednesday is my last day of work, I'm ok going a little late, too. I'm really excited to give birth and meet this baby though, so I hope she doesn't wait too long to make her appearance.

[honeybee]

Originally Posted by Scalpel

We will be 37 weeks on friday and are down to weekly Dr's visits now....we go to the drs again today at 11:30....last visit she was were 50% effaced so it will be intresting to see if there is anymore progression. Dp last day of work is the 20th and mine the 22nd. I told dp she as to wait at least until then if she can hahaha. Our dr said he can induce when we are at 39 weeks if we havent gone by then or for sure at 40. Its so surreal to imagine that in 2 1/2 weeks I will be holding my first child!!!

Okay, I know you weren't posting for advice, but I can't help myself.

I would definitely recommend avoiding an induction if there are no medical reasons for mom or baby. Just because your doc is willing to do it, does not make it good practice. The AVERAGE gestation for a first-time mom left to go naturally is 41 weeks and a few days. So, the average first-time mom inducing at 39-40 weeks is doing so before her baby is really ready to be born, which greatly increases your chances of having a c-section, plus increases the chances that your baby will be premature or have problems breastfeeding, etc. Here is a recent article about premature babies and the US infant-mortality rate.

http://www.time.com/time/health/arti...inline-sidebar

I would really encourage you to do some research on the risks of induction, the variability of gestation lengths, inaccuracy of due dates, and the potential effects of a c-section on your future fertility and future births. ACOG does not recommend elective inductions, nor inductions because of a suspected "big baby" or a suspected "small pelvis" or some other specious reasons docs give for doing inductions. But docs do them because it is more convenient to their schedules, and they are so routine to them. All that matters to them is a "healthy baby" and if the baby has to spend some time in the NICU first, it's no big deal, because after all we have the best technology to deal with it, and they will end up "just fine."

An excellent book I think EVERY woman giving birth in the US should read is Henci Goer's The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth. It really explains all the research about common interventions in birth and also explains the obstetrical mindset, and gives an insight into WHY so many things are done to laboring women that are not backed up by research (the short answer: fear of malpractice lawsuits).

[BeccaSue1029]

I have 2 weeks before I'm term

[guestmama9920]

Originally Posted by honeybee

(the short answer: fear of malpractice lawsuits).

Just a FWIW, in the UK there isn't a fear of lawsuits so the docs are much more likely to leave babies in that shouldn't stay in.

I think there is no middle ground, at least that I've found.

Inductions aren't always awful but should be avoided, sadly I've not avoided them both times, sometimes things aren't up to us

[elisheva]

Originally Posted by Scalpel

Our dr said he can induce when we are at 39 weeks if we havent gone by then or for sure at 40. Its so surreal to imagine that in 2 1/2 weeks I will be holding my first child!!!

Why would you induce at 39 or 40 weeks?

[covertlycrunchy]

I am nowhere NEAR 37 weeks, which is when my mw say I can stay home for the birth. I'll only be 33 weeks on Tuesday. I'm starting to feel like I'll be pg forever.

I would also avoid an induction for non-medical reasons. It hurts a lot more & is more stressful on you and the babe and you are more likely to get a c/s. I heard something recently that I really liked on this and other "routine interventions": When an intervention becomes routine (in other words there is no outstanding medical reason for the intervention) it leaves you with no benefits to the intervention, only risks.

But I could be biased since my induction failed and ended in a c/s for FTP (or failure to wait, whichever).

[BeccaSue1029]

Also, inductions are sooooooo boring...who wants to lay around all day if you can avoid it? And it's not the good kind of laying around, it's uncomfortable!

[funfunkyfantastic]

Originally Posted by BeccaSue1029

I have 2 weeks before I'm term

Same here... you're not alone! I'm 35 weeks and 1 day. I'm actually going camping this weekend. People think i'm nuts. hehe.