Anyone ever gone over 42 weeks? [Archive] - MotheringDotCommune Forums

KKmama

03-17-2004, 03:46 PM

I did... I went to 42 1/2 wks (I think it was 4-5 days, not sure).

I'm not going to tell you my *birth* experience, because I don't think it's particularly relevant, but I can tell you about my state of mind... I was going nuts. I really feel for you--it's hard! You start wondering if being pg is a permanent thing, and you get sick of everyone asking if the baby's arrived yet (like it would happen without your noticing or telling everyone!).

At ~41 weeks, I really withdrew and just did my own thing. I started letting the answering machine get all the calls (and we changed the message to let people know that we hadn't had the baby and weren't out having the baby and that they should be nice to us!). I did a lot of nesting and gardening. I spent time with my very closest friends (lots of lunch dates).

Hang in there... your baby *will* arrive one of these days. Just do everything you can to relax and survive the wait.

bwylde

03-17-2004, 04:07 PM

I went to 43 weeks and we tried nearly everything to get me going. I won't scare you with the details of what it took to get my son out :LOL (mainly because what happened to me was a rare thing), but it was stressful and I was pretty depressed. For the last week I was in the hospital daily and it broke my heart leaving each day without my baby. In hind sight, I would of better taken advantage of the extra time I was given.

candiland

03-17-2004, 04:20 PM

My friend went to 42 1/2 weeks with both of her children. They were born healthy and weren't huge. She was also 5'1".

forestmama

03-17-2004, 04:54 PM

My due date with my first was the 2nd of February but I had a rather odd french doctor at the time and he did not induce me until the 21st of February! Add to that the fact that I found out I was pregnant at only 2 weeks along and you get one VERY looooong pregnancy! :LOL Even after being induced I had a 15 hour labor, I really began to beleive that my baby was just going to set up home in my tummy for life and that I would never have her.
There at the end I was trying anything to go into labor, I walked miles and miles at a time, I even got super frustrated one night and actually did sit-ups to try to go into labor, :rolleyes: stupid move on my part looking back on it, but I was desperate. :(
But it all turned out in the end and I had a very healthy very alert baby girl in the end. :love Just keep in mind that one way or another the baby will come, sometimes they just like it a little to much in there. And hey who could blame them, I would'nt mind sitting around in a big tub of nice warm water day after day! :D

Ravenmoon

03-17-2004, 05:33 PM

43 weeks here too.I was threatened with induction so i took homeopathic remedies,herbal tinctures,acupuncture and the most goddess awful tasting chinese medicine herbal tea.I finally took castor oil and had my babe within 45 minutes.This was with my third kiddo and my other two were early!She was dried out,wrinkly and huge.

KKmama

03-17-2004, 05:46 PM

I wanted to add that just from talking to people (and my own experience with ds), "overdue" babies can often be more mature and thus easier to care for than, say, early babies. In a lot of ways, I feel like ds came out 2 mos. old. ;) He was very large (but not fat; he was heavy *and* super long). He was very alert, he understood nursing, he wasn't confused between day and night, and he wasn't "fragile."

There has to be a silver lining...

anothermama

03-17-2004, 05:50 PM

I went to nearly 43 weeks as well.............and it was no big deal. To be honest, those last few weeks were the EASIEST of my pregnancy. The worst part was EVERYONE calling DAILY to say "have you have the baby yet!!??".

At 42 weeks and 3 days my midwife stripped my membranes and I went into labor that night. I think I was almost fully effaced at that point.

I agree with KK.......my dd was HUGE and chubby and never looked like a newborn even, and she ate VERY WELL right away and slept through the night rather quickly....and I think it's just cause she was such a big, mature baby that it took less for her to "adjust" and grow into the world.

crazy_eights

03-17-2004, 06:19 PM

I did! With 2 of my pregnancies. I wish I could remember exactly how many days, but if memory serves me correctly Avital was 42 and a few days (weighed 8-3) and Tiferet was 43 weeks and a few days (weighed 9 lbs). And with Tiferet the OB I saw told me that I was LGA and probably due *earlier* than the March due date I'd been given (I think it was Mar. 20 and I gave birth April 11)! Thank goodness I had a midwife that didn't panic as long as I had good mov't and fluid. And she did look/behave like she was 6-8 weeks, not a newborn.

christymama

03-17-2004, 06:26 PM

ME ME ME ME:wave :wave :wave
I was about 43 weeks.. I had to be induced ( moving and had nowhere to stay at the time of her being so late we were military at the time) So we were induced finally at 43 weeks.. Labor was fast and easy.. Baby was 7lbs and some odd oz.. She was 20 and half inches long. So she wasnt huge and she wasnt small. She was only a few ounces bigger then my first dd who came 3 days early! I think it just depends on the baby! Good luck and hope you get that baby in your arms soon

Plaid

03-17-2004, 07:05 PM

When I saw my OB at 42 weeks she asked "When do you plan to have this baby?" I told her Wednesday. Sure enough, 17 days after my "due date", on Wednesday, Clare was born.

The hardest part for me was keeping my doctor from inducing. She started suggesting it on my due date, and then said that I couldn't go past 42 wks, but I stood my ground. She insisted I go for ultrasounds to check fluid levels every other day toward the end, which was a drag, especially since I didn't want ANY ultrasounds, but I figured if it allowed me to go into labor naturally I'd do it. Of course, I ended up getting acupuncture in an attempt to bring on labor.:rolleyes:

Hang in there! Babies come when they are ready and soon you'll have that little one in your arms.

bwylde

03-17-2004, 08:19 PM

I have to agree they come out more "mature". My son was able to hold his head up soon after birth and never had that just born newborn look/feel. I was scared he'd be fragile, but it wasn't like holding a newborn and I had a lot of comments on that from others. I sometimes look back and think he was just super attached from the start and didn't want to be away from his mommy :love

mountain mom

03-17-2004, 08:43 PM

43 weeks here too. I was really surprised at how much my dd seemed like an 'old soul' right from the moment I laid eyes on her. She was and is still very calm and happy.

Trust your instincts mama! If it feels good in your heart, then I believe you are doing the right thing.

Remember that most everyone has a schedule they feel they have to follow exclusively.

Birth just simply cannot be scheduled!

Evergreen

03-17-2004, 08:54 PM

:wave 15 days "late" (I knew conception date) here!

My mother was 15 days late with all four of us, so I knew this would happen to me :LOL I kept telling my midwife, and she never beleived.

briar

03-17-2004, 08:57 PM

My first was 43 weeks and I was induced (also had to sign papers saying my OB was not responsible if my baby died :rolleyes: ) Wish I had tried herbs C section 8 12oz
Second was 42 weeks and I went in to be mildly induced (midwife) and went into labor had a VBAC 8 5 oz.

citizenfong

03-17-2004, 09:51 PM

WOW! I never would have guessed that there would be so many of you who've had this experience in this day and age! Just reading through all the posts I've been sighing a big, huge sigh of relief! Thank you all SO MUCH!

We totally believe that we are doing the right thing by just waiting, but both dh and I are in such a vulnerable mindset right now with all the outside pressure and that magic number looming over us, well it's stressful! I am so grateful that I'm not having to fend off a hcp wanting to induce (I'm not a good candidate at this point anyway--baby's head isn't engaged in the pelvis yet). I've had tons of false labor and this adds greatly to the stress and the perception that the baby will never arrive. :LOL

Again, thanks for all the encouragement.

love2all

03-17-2004, 10:12 PM

I went to 42/43 weeks before I induced myself with black cohosh. Both times this tincture got things going and I delivered that day. First baby was about 8lbs, second was 6.5- so little, I was glad he was 'late'.

Hang in there, the baby will come out sooner or later, and there are effective and safe ways to induce yourself before allowing the hospital to do it.

maria

pamamidwife

03-18-2004, 12:24 AM

I've had a few clients go 42.5 weeks, a couple go 43 weeks and one mama go 44 weeks and 2 days! seriously! :)

A reminder, which you already know, you're not a carton of milk with an expiration date. Heck, you don't even have a "best by" date! YOU'RE PERFECT!

Here's some other stories:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=86314&highlight=past+date+positive

:hearts :grouphug :rainbow :thumb

citizenfong

03-18-2004, 07:26 AM

Oh, thanks, Pam. Yk, it's like I need a fresh dose of encouragement every day (okay, a couple of doses :LOL). You were first in line this morning to quiet my spirit.

georgia

03-18-2004, 08:32 AM

tracy, i've not read the other replies.....i just wanted to let you know you will go into labor soon!!! i'm positive:D baby knows what s/he needs. hang in there---we're here to cheer you on!

my mw went 44 weeks w/both her dcs, and a close friend went 43 w/lots of n/s tests....so women do go over.....siome babies just need a little extra time!

all the best,

Mama2ABCD

03-18-2004, 09:47 AM

:hug

sorry about the outside pressures, how strong you are for waiting. you are an inspiration!

watermamma

03-18-2004, 10:21 AM

Hugs!

Went to 42 weeks, 2 days, self induced w/castor oil after trying everything else... facing transfer of care in 5 more days. I knew conception date, so it was not a miscalculated due date.

Baby was so healthy (and big :)), placenta great, wonderful labor and birth.

ITA with the ladies about late babies being more "mature". Both of mine were late, and both never seemed like a newborn.

If we have any more, I am going to focus on feeling "special" about going late, instead of feeling freakish. I like to think my body just takes such good care of the baby, it doesn't want to come out! And next time, I will be telling everyone a "false" due date and not be rushing things, even at 42, 43 or 44 weeks!

pamamidwife

03-18-2004, 11:56 AM

It's so hard - I think it's so worrisome for women that go over 42 weeks because in our country, WE NEVER SEE THIS. No, women instead are induced a week before their due date, or a day after their due date.

Therefore, there must be something WRONG and DANGEROUS about going over the due date, right?

I have an obstetrics textbook that is about fifty years old. It never mentions induction based on due dates unless the woman is a FULL COMPLETED 43 WEEKS.

Oh, mama, I hear ya. Nurture yourself and enjoy how "portable" this baby is right now. He/she is waiting for the perfect birthday.

ketilave

03-18-2004, 02:27 PM

I'm just going to add to the bit about coping. Tune out and turn off. Both of mine, past their "expiration date:LOL " love that thought, and my mom got later with each of us. I am planning the same with this one. I know my dates are dead on too - I just am a slow cooker. The hardest part is mental. Esp when labour does come. Try to blow it off as much as possible. Lot's of baths and think about all this extra time you get to enjoy the current dynamics of your family.

Good luck. Come here or find a friend that you can talk to. The rest can buzz off - you probably will tell them when you have the baby so they can stop calling!

Funny story in a very sad way - my ob wanted to induce me right at 42 weeks but all the induction spots were full so she couldn't get me in. No big deal, told her I wouldn't show up anyway. I couldn't believe that many women were on the calendar.

KKmama

03-18-2004, 05:51 PM

I really think Pam hit the nail on the head... 42+ weeks seems "weird" now because it sure seems like most women see obs who just itching to induce earlier than that! I really hope, Tracy, that this thread makes you feel *normal*!! It's really great that you're being cared for by someone who's willing to let you go as long as you need.

tuffykenwell

03-18-2004, 08:33 PM

I was 17 days overdue when I was induced with Rhys. I ended up with failure to progress and a c-section. This time I *will not* be induced unless they can show me a medical reason (other than its "time") until 44 weeks. After that I am not sure about my comfort level but I will take it day by day.

Actually I won't be induced period because the research I have read indicates that induction is what really causes a VBACs risk of rupture to skyrocket :(

If I had it to do over again I would wait. Because of the impatience of my midwives I have a cut in my uterus which will affect me and my birthing choices for the rest of my life (and I still think about that often)

Steph

bebe luna

03-18-2004, 09:53 PM

well I was born about 3 weeks "late"... I weighed close to 9 lbs and was pretty wrinkled from what my mom says...
from what she said it sounds similar to previous posters about the baby being very mature & calm, as well...
hang in there mama!

UrbanPlanter

03-18-2004, 09:58 PM

42 weeks exactly here - when I was talked into prostaglandins gel, which I didn't realize at the time was an induction :(

If there is a next time, I will go awol before letting that happen again!

Arduinna

03-18-2004, 10:02 PM

I went to 44 1/2 weeks. My dr was actually pretty good, just told him each week that I didn't want to be induced. He didn't give me a hard time or anything. Dd was just under 10 lbs and was very calm and mature also. In fact she didn't seem like a newborn at all to me.

I caved into the pressure from everyone around me and ended up agreeing to induction which ended in a c section for no medical reason after 18 hours of pitocin labor. I really wish I had had better support around me and that I had the strength to withstand the pressure from my family.

citizenfong

03-18-2004, 10:49 PM

Originally posted by Arduinna
I caved into the pressure from everyone around me and ended up agreeing to induction which ended in a c section for no medical reason after 18 hours of pitocin labor. I really wish I had had better support around me and that I had the strength to withstand the pressure from my family.

Umm, I hardly call agreeing to induction at 44 1/2 weeks "caving"! Bless your heart, honey! It's a miracle you made it that far withstanding the family pressure.

All these replies HAVE made this seem more normal. Pam IS right--you just don't meet many people (at least our age) who have experienced this and it makes it scary!

My mom tells me that this pressure and fear-mongering is completely a product of our times. When she was having babies, she says no one said a word about going overdue. She said the only stress you were subjected to was the stress of waiting. And she should know...my sister was 42.5w and I was 12 days late. This never seemed significant before, especially since my ds was a week early. But it is a great comfort to me now!

Induction: I am not getting any "official" pressure on this as we are planning an unassisted birth. I can't say how grateful I am for this as I do not know of a single care provider in my area who would "stand" for this. The birth climate around here is not so great. And, even if dh and I felt like we wanted to seek out induction, I am not currently a good candidate anyway, as the baby's head is not engaged in my pelvis. I can just imagine how it would go. I've had TONS of false labor, so it's not like I need pit to induce ctx. If I can have over 24 hours of ctx at home without progress, I can only guess that I would surely end up with a c/s if I were induced.

We are keeping a close eye on the baby. It seems to be doing just fine. Plenty of movement, lots of hiccups. There's got to be ample amniotic fluid, cause there is still room for the baby to move around.

I do kind of hate that we might miss the newborn period, but all the advantages of that mature baby in these posts do sound appealing!

bwylde

03-19-2004, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by AdrianneWe
42 weeks exactly here - when I was talked into prostaglandins gel, which I didn't realize at the time was an induction :(

I have to ask, did this work for you? I'm wondering as I was induced with this 2-3 times a day for over a week and I never got over 1 cm dilated. Most people I talk to said it worked for them so I'm wondering if I'm just a freak of nature or what. They were going to do this for another week, but my son and I went into distress (they were adamant all along I was not getting a c-section, but I ended up with one, which I personally had no problem with as it went great for me)

ketilave

03-19-2004, 07:20 AM

I can't get over how many other slow cookers have similar birth experiences with #1. No contractions and no dilation when my waters broke or with pit and had a c because of fetal distress. DD on the othe hand was also late(r) but I had a great vaginal birth with my mw - 5 hours from 4 cm to baby. This time we are at home.

citzenfrog - I came to terms with my "lateness" with DD when I realized that no one on either side of my family had ever gone early. Only contemorary society has an issue with not fitting into the norm. Which is an average - someone has to go long!! It's like baby weights - they can be 50% or over but not under? How do you get that math!!

Best wishes to all you mommies - it means that we are providing the perfect environment for our babies and they are going to stay there until they crowd themselves out!

mimim

03-23-2004, 07:01 PM

My first was born at 43 weeks. We tried EVERYTHING to start labor - sex, castor oil, blue cohosh, evening primrose, miles and miles of walking. The whole time I was fighting off my midwives with a stick. They were desperate to induce, although non-stress tests and ultrsounds were showing no problems. I finally gave in and scheduled an induction for 8 am on Thursday.

DS was born at 7:27 am on the day I was scheduled to be induced artificially. :thumb

He weighed 9lb. 2 oz. and was perfectly healthy! The stupid medical people still had to poke him and make him bleed repeatedly, trying to prove that something HAD to be wrong with him.

Since the OP is a couple days old, I hope you've had your baby, Tracy!!

citizenfong

03-23-2004, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the reassuring story, mimim.

I'm still hanging in here at 42.4 weeks...

junebugmidwife

03-24-2004, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by bwylde
I have to ask, did this work for you? I'm wondering as I was induced with this 2-3 times a day for over a week and I never got over 1 cm dilated. Most people I talk to said it worked for them so I'm wondering if I'm just a freak of nature or what. They were going to do this for another week, but my son and I went into distress (they were adamant all along I was not getting a c-section, but I ended up with one, which I personally had no problem with as it went great for me)

Prostaglandin gel can induce labor, but the main reason it's used is to "ripen" the cervix--that is, to make it soften and begin to efface (thin), to make it ready to dilate--frequently, with pitocin, although some women kick into labor once their cervix changes. As with some inductions, though, if the time isn't right, it won't make labor happen.

Glad that you feel okay about how things turned out w/your C/S....sometimes I feel like it's the thing I fear most about birth, but really it's not the worst thing that can happen...a healthy mom and a healthy baby are always something to celebrate! Sounds like the C/S was what your son (and you) needed.

UrbanPlanter

03-25-2004, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by bwylde
I have to ask, did this work for you? (regarding prostaglins)

Yes it did send me into labor. I always wonder if it was the "right" time. It was inserted at exactly 42 weeks. I ended up having a very difficult back labor, even though ds was turned in the right position. I did not have pitocin, but ended up with an epidural due to the unbearable pain and I wasn't progressing. I even had a doula, but we just could not manage my pain. I wonder if the pain became too intense bc of the artificial means to get it started.

Like I said, in retrospect, I would have never used prostaglandins, and won't use it if the occasion should arrise again.

My mom was weeks late with all three of her births, and I told my doctor this, but I guess with the litigiousness of society today and the unbelievable insurance for obs, etc., docs are more concerned about getting the baby out "on time".

Next time I will go "awol" :)

My advice, Citizenfong, if you are still waiting to deliver, is to turn off your phone, set your answering machine with a message like "today is Monday and we're still waiting for baby to arrive" (for all of the inquiries) and try to relax and enjoy the quiet before baby does arrive.

Good luck, and I hope you have a marvelous birthing experience!

mollyeilis

03-26-2004, 06:58 PM

My hubby was born at 44 weeks. MIL was sure of conception, and says she MADE herself wait to deliver until FIL was back home. He'd been at sea for 6 months.

Robert was able to lift and turn his head (from tummy) on his birth day, and unless I'm mistaken was able to roll over shortly after.

However, he wasn't big, 7, maybe 8 lbs. But I think it's more like 7.

I've had a strong sense that this baby will be LATE, so when I fired my first midwife (has her own birth center, and regulations are tight for bcenters here vs home) I was sure to ask what their procedures for a late baby were. I only thought twice about people who didn't seem worried about it (as long as everything else seemed fine, of course).

I guess we'll see in May, eh? :D

Smithie

03-26-2004, 08:39 PM

Tracy, hang in there! My mom birthed me naturally in '77 at 43 weeks and a couple of days. I was healthy and NOT postmature, and she was sure about the conception date. Trust yourself!

I am really worried about following my mom's pattern, since the medical attitudes towards "late" deliveries have changed a lot in 26 years. My midwives can't deliver at their freestanding center past 42 weeks. Your option then is to deliver with a midwife at the big scary university hospital - they will let you go to 43 weeks. I am seriously considering finding the crunchiest doctor in the State of Washington if I pass 40 weeks and throwing myself on his/her mercy. I do not want to be induced. Absent fetal distress, it is a stupid, senseless, coercive practice.

mollyeilis

03-26-2004, 08:44 PM

Smithie, it's the birth center aspect of it, not your midwives. Well, they might not want to let you go that long either, but with you birthing at their center, they CAN'T.

It's WA regulations. When I was finding new midwives I was looking at two practices that have privileges at a freestanding center in Tacoma. Both practices said that they could easily let me go beyond 42 weeks if I were birthing at home, but state regs do not allow a birth center to allow it.

That's why I decided to have the baby at home! :)

My other choice was using the midwives that practice out of St. Joe's in Tacoma, and I finally decided I just couldn't do the hospital thing.

So...you don't even have to find a doc, if you're willing to find a willing midwife and have baby at home. :D :rolleyes: :p

citizenfong

03-26-2004, 09:00 PM

I want to thank everyone who posted their inspiring stories on this thread. It really kept me (and dh!) going at times.

Emerson Reid was born this morning at 3:43 at home at exactly 43 weeks. He had plenty of vernix and even a touch of body hair. He seems like a newborn to me! The only thing that might indicate that he was late is that, and I'm still having trouble believing this...he was just short of 11lbs.!

Thanks again for all the support!

mollyeilis

03-26-2004, 09:04 PM

Congratulations! Wow, there's a lot of 4s and 3s in his birth info. :)

Smithie

03-26-2004, 09:19 PM

What awesome news! Congrats, Tracy! :D

Molly, my geographic location makes me uncomfortable with homebirth. My midwives would totally do it - in fact, they'd prefer it - but I want to get to the hospital in FIVE MINUTES if an emergency happens, and I need to go to the center to have that. Or (bleagh) to a hospital.

mollyeilis

03-26-2004, 09:27 PM

Off Topic:

Aha Smithie, well that makes sense. I'm guessing you live further north than I do? (considering you mentioned a big university hospital)

It's such a bummer that BCs are so rigid, it doesn't make any sense.

I'm comfy with 15-20 minutes to the hospital, so the Tacoma hospital is OK for me (I'm in Fed. Way), unless it's noon or something...

Back to congratulations! Congratulations AGAIN!