Collected stories of "overdue" babies? *Added questionnaire* - Page 6

[Lynn08]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?
41w 3d

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?
First/only child

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?
Anything past 42 weeks our mw would not perform birth at home. So as week 41 dragged on, we were getting pretty desperate. The mw only suggestion natural methods of induction, though (eg. sex, walking, castor oil, etc.) and we tried them all. We actually have pictures of the "induction hike" where I am crawling up the VERY steep hill on my hands and knees.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)
LMP - we never even had an ultrasound.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)
Nope - she was definitely overdue (something to do with the labia development, I think the mw said).

[Kimmiepie]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks exactly according to O date

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? All 4 of them...but they were all induced so I cannot survey about them.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? My midwife talked about things we could start doing when I was ready, but it was up to me. She did not push at all and wouldn't even discuss opyions with me until at least 41 weeks. I never did try anything (nipple stim, herbs etc) as I didn't feel ready to at the time.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) O date

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) He had peely skin that indicated he was "overdue" but other than that everything else was "normal". He was only 7lbs 8oz...I just cook them long.

[kgrace]

How many weeks were you when baby was born? 41.5

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? first birth
3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? my back up MD pushed induction made me sign a paper accepting possible fetal death or c-section if I didn't induce due to "post dates" My non stress test was fine baby very active the whole time so I left AMA. My midwife was completely supportive and stripped my membranes at my request I had a lovely fast homebirth that night!
4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) lmp,date of conception,ultrasounds. I disagreed with my MD's "due date"
5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

9 pounds even, no water, old placenta, peeling skin,enlarged nipples but a healthy baby.
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[Say]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?

41w, 3 days.

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?

This was my first.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?

I was very, very stressed as I was having a planned homebirth with a midwife and after 42 weeks I would lose her under the provincial guidelines. I did not want to have an induced labour in a hospital! Once I hit week 40, when she made any suggestions to encourage labour, I eagerly went along with them. I did not feel 'pushed' in any way. She encouraged me to walk, have sex, take blue cohosh, evening primrose oil and drink raspberry leaf tea. I did all of these things. She offered to strip my membranes at toward the end of week 40, but I hadn't dilated so we didn't try it. I think the walking, the cohosh and the raspberry leaf tea were the most effective.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)

LMP. Ironically, at my 14 week ultrasound (which was my first us), they tried to convince me that I was 10 days further along than I thought, which was impossible since my husband and I had been long distance while he finished school.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

She weighed 7lbs. 2 ounces, had a full head of hair, some lanugo on her back but there was very little vernix. There was a little bit of meconium in my amniotic fluid too. She was definitely ready to be born.

She presented sunny side up (posterior), which in retrospect helps explain why I went late, and why my labour was so slow (84 hours, all back).

[Full Heart]

Ok this post could get long. I have had 7 "overdue" or post dates babies I will answer the questions for each birth because each was different. All my babies had calcified but HUGE placentas. None were hypoglycemic. None had lanugo. None had stained skin, none had meconium.

Baby #1
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? First baby

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? MW had me do black and blue cohoshes as well as castor oil. Did not work. I was anxious to get the pg over with as I was having wierd symptoms.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) LMP

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) There was no vernix, she had peeling skin. She didn't have much fluid and was 7 lbs exactly. Very healthy. Had Apgars of 10 and 10 and my mw said she never gives a 10.

Baby #2

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? Previous 42 weeker

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? I declined any and all "natural" induction methods.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) LMP

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) She didn't have any peeling skin but no vernix. The dr dated her as 41 weeks upon delivery. She was 8.5 lbs.

Baby #3
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks 2 days

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? 2 previous 42 weekers

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? Yes. But one of my mws other clients lost a baby to late onset GBS when I was 41 weeks 2 days. She lived only a few miles from me and I was a mw apprentice at the time and did her prenatal care. Fear set in so we went for BPP and tried castor oil and the cohoshes again. Ended up using arom to start labor. Due to back up concerns - the backup could have dropped my mw if I didn't do what the back up wanted.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) U/S early on as I had not had a pp af before getting pg.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) He had a tiny bit of vernix in the creases of his armpits.

Baby #4
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 41 weeks 6 days

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? 3 previous 42 weekers

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? MW strongly pushed for induction and threatened to drop me at 42 weeks. I did castor oil twice. Black and blue cohoshes. Enema. Everything. Castor oil ended up working. Labor was terrible. I dehydrated and passed out twice after the birth.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) LMP

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) Nothing that I recall. He was perfect.

baby #5
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks 2 days

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? 4 previous 42 weekers.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? Yes, Black and Blue cohoshes and membrane stripping. I refused any castor oil. She dropped me when I didn't go into labor. Dh called her when I was in labor and she did come out and "fudged" the charts.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) Ovulation since I was charting.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) This is my only baby that was covered in vernix.

Baby #6
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 38 weeks 6 days according to paper work. More like 42 weeks

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? 5 previous 42 weekers.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? No because I wasn't even due yet.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) date of + pg test and thats it. We were not sure of my due date since I had no pp af before getting pg. So we just went with the + pg test day as 4 weeks. It became obvious soon enough that I was much further along but my mw decided to ignore that since all my others were 42 weeks. I felt movement at 13 weeks and I never feel it till 16 weeks. I was measuring beyond huge. Looking at the pictures from that pg I was the same size as with my other pgs a mos further along. I also recalled nipple pain and ms starting weeks before I got my +.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) Obviously post dates.

Baby #7
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born? 42 weeks 2 days

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well? 6 previous 42 weekers.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed? Nothing and I would have declined all natural induction methods.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.) Conception date since I was charting and a corresponding u/s that confirmed my date (w/i 5 days, which is the margin of error for a 1st tri u/s).

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?) Dated to be exactly 42 weeks 2 days.

I have since learned that doing something for the sake of someone else and not because of evidence can be very harmful. I was more concerned with loosing a mw than what the effects on my health could have been. My mw was more concerned with her license than what effects induction had on me or my baby. I am not broken. I do not need to be induced because I carry my babies for a long time. I will never sacrifice my health and safety or that of my childs ever again for the sake of someone else. Even "natural" induction can have consequences.

[smeep]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?
41.5

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?
0. However, my mother birthed all 5 of us between 40 and 43 weeks and my sister was induced at 40 but probably would have gone at least a few more days, or so it seemed.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?
Nope. My midwife is very crunchy and doesn't even recommend natural techniques unless there is a good reason. In fact, at 41.4 weeks I had an ultrasound to check out everything (my midwife referred me out to one of the local hospital programs just for the u/s) and the u/s tech freaked because he wasn't responding much to her poking and jabbing. She brought in a doctor who did the same thing and they told me to go straight to the birth center for immediate induction. My heart broke right then and there. That was the last thing I wanted. When my mom and I got into the car (she just happened to get off work early and decided to go with me) I told her I thought we should go home and call my m/w first and she agreed, saying how all her babies slowed down and didn't react as much when she was in early labour (which we were pretty sure I was since the night before - something I even mentioned to the u/s tech and was quickly dismissed). We went home and called my m/w who agreed with us but wanted to run it by her backup physician to be safe. We all agreed that I was most likely in early labour and if I didn't go into active labour by the next morning that I would induce naturally. Well, my water broke around 11:00-11:30 that night, active labour picked up a couple contractions after that, and he was born at 5:21 the following morning, a beautiful waterbirth, all on my own terms. I can't imagine what would've transpired if I didn't have my midwife.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)
U/s because my LMP definitely didn't seem right. What the u/s determined better fit what I was thinking anyways.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

His weight was 8.10 (seems just right to me), placenta looked great (I still remember the look on my then 6-year-old niece's face when my midwife showed it to her and was telling her all about what parts do what), the only thing was he had a fair amount of vernix, but nothing that concerned us in the least.

[rere]

☀
1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?

41+2 days

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?

This is my only child

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?

Yes,but not because of dates.My blood pressure was going up.She suggested membrane stripping.I thought that was safer than having a baby in a hospital due to high blood pressure so I agreed.It wasn't really pushed on me though.It was presented as an option.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)

Date of conception.I told the midwife when my daughter was conceived and we went from there.She never questioned it.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

No.

[kat726]

1: 41 + 5

2: My one previous pregnancy was SROM at 37 +5 with baby not born until 36 hours later. With #2 we were expecting an early delivery which made those extra 4 weeks interminable.

3: Used LMP (we do NFP so pretty sure about dates)

4: WE did try everything in the days after my due date (everything but castor oil - yuck!). Nothing worked though and eventually we just stopped trying to make it happen and let baby decide. Once I made that decision I was in a much better place mentally.

5: He was not big (7#15), but he didn't have any vernix and his hands and feet were red and peeling. He was definitely ready - though I don't think "overdue."

[MegBoz]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?
41+4

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?
1st baby

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?
I had a practice of 3 hospital-based CNMs. The official hospital policy was routine induction at 42W. One MW said to me, "So are you going to let us induce you on Monday?" Before I could even answer she said, "Well, I went to 43 with one of mine & it was fine." I took that to mean that she personally disagreed with routine induction at 42W!

I did however ask for a membrane sweep. Ctrx started 2 hours later, & 6 hours after that he was born!

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)
LMP, an U/S to confirm pregnancy at 8 weeks, another US at 22 weeks.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates?
Nope. He was probably exactly 41W4D. No lanugo, no vernix at all, but not the least bit wrinkley. He was 7#4oz.

[AKmoose]

The birth story is linked in my signature...the 2007.

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?
41

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?
Two previous - babies came at 39+4 and 40 on the dot (and our next baby after this one came at 38+4)

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?
Didn't have one...just a supportive midwife-trained friend...who was only reassuring to me as I got antsy

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)
I chart, and knew LMP, ovulation and conception dates exactly. No U/S.

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)
Baby was 7lb 6 oz (my largest, but right on track with the other two); he was not a "post-dates" appearing baby, but "perfectly cooked."

6.) Any comments on baby's position - either prior to labor, during labor, or at birth?
All normal, vertex, OA.

[major_mama11]

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?

Went into labor at 41 +1, baby born at 41 +4.

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?

First birth.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?

My providers were CNM's at a freestanding birth center, and they assured me that, as a first-timer, they expected me to go into labor slightly after 41 wks. They were right on. I did a lot of hiking and long walks every day to try to encourage labor, but that was all.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)

I knew exactly when I conceived, based on charting, even though I had a very long cycle that month. My original CNM didn't think I knew my stuff and sent me for an ultrasound at 8 wks for dating purposes. The u/s confirmed that I was right within one day! (Good thing too, otherwise she would have been setting me due date for 3 wks before what it really was).

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

She was 8# 11 oz, had some lanugo in the fluids and on her body, no peeling skin, but did have long fingernails. They told me she looked like a typical 40-weeker even though she was 41 +4 wks by dates.

6.) Any comments on baby's position - either prior to labor, during labor, or at birth?

She was ROA all through labor, and was born ROA.

(FWIW, I did have a 700-800 ml postpartum hemorrhage after having her, which they thought was related to my uterus being worn out from a 3-day labor. My midwife this time wants me to try some "natural" methods to get labor going before my due date, in order to try for a smaller baby/shorter labor that won't tire out my uterus so much. But we're just talking sweeping membranes, EPO, RRL tea type stuff, not medical induction.)

(Also, I was a 42-weeker myself, and my mom was a 10#, 43-wk vaginal breech. Going postdates is pretty common in my family)

[EdnaMarie]

Please copy/paste your birth story or link to it if it's online. Either is fine. Also please address the following questions:

1.) How many weeks were you when baby was born?

Baby 1 (B1): 41 exactly, B2: 40, 5 days by LMP, 41 by ultrasound @ 6 weeks due to bleeding.

2.) How many previous births and were they "overdue" as well?

Just these two, but also family history of births at 41 weeks on my and Dh's side.

3.)Did your care provider - if you had one - push any techniques to "move things along?" If so, what and when was this brought up? How did you react? What was your thought process in deciding how to proceed?

Yes, at 41 weeks w/#1 due to low amniotic fluid and measuring small, though baby seemed well. Because of the low fluid we agreed to sweeping membranes at 40.5 weeks. B2 with same midwife nothing was used because I was measuring larger so no reason to have a late ultrasound or suspect low amniotic fluid.

4.) What information was used to date the pregnancy (LMP, ovulation kit, U/S, etc.)

B1: LMP, 3 / mo ultrasound (corroborated exactly), B2: LMP, 6 week ultrasound (u/s dated her earlier by 4 days)

5.) When baby was born was there evidence that supported or called into question the dates? (EG baby's weight; presence of lanugo or heavy vernix; dry, peeling skin; loose or stained skin; abundance of hair; placental abnormalities; hypoglycemia?)

B1: No, looked 41 weeks, B2: Some signs were late but overall midwife gave her a 39-week appearance

6.) Any comments on baby's position - either prior to labor, during labor, or at birth?

B1: Breech for some time but turned weeks before labor, B2: Moved a lot but was often posterior up until birth. Both positioned well overall.

***
I was annoyed at 40.5 weeks with #2 when my mother finally asked her mom how long SHE went, and her mom said she went 41 weeks with 6 out of 7 kids. COULD HAVE USED THAT INFO SOONER FOR PLANNING, thanks . (Own mom did not remember how long she went.) Sorry for abbreviated post, must get back to kids, good luck w/your survey!

[Chamsia]

Hi there!

1)42 weeks exactly
2)This was my first birth
3)My hb midwife had me start taking black and blue cohash root at 7 days past EDD. At 10 days I went to the hospital (at her recommendation) for a stress test and some other test. Of course they wanted to induce, but I trusted my midwife that all was well and returned home. I did do castor oil on day 11, methinks, to no effect. I wanted to try everything. The hospital people did freak me out a bit, though deep down I knew I trusted my body and my midwife. But we had tons of sex and spicy food, also to no avail!
4)Only the date of my last period was used to date the pregnancy.
5)The babe was 8lb 12 oz at birth, with plenty of vernix, butno lanugo (as I recall), no problems.
6)'twas back labor, so I guess she was sideways!

[Maggirayne]

Bumping so I can come back and post.