Post-Date and Natural Labor

[chiro_kristin]

How long did you go before going into labor naturally?

I've got a patient who is 42-43 wks (lmp with variable cycle). Baby's doing great. Just would like to encourage her to wait for the birth she wants so desperately. Thanks for your testimonials!

[pageta]

If she has a variable cycle, can you find out what her longest cycle was? If it's a semi-normal amount of time, say 35 or 42 days, you could calculate a due date based on that just for informations sake. Also, how is the baby measuring? Is it measuring for 42 weeks?

I'm not a provider, but if I was the mom, those are things that would help me have patience.

[chiro_kristin]

We have those things all calculated out. Either way, she's postdate. I'm not worried.

I'm just looking for anecdotals :) thanks.

[3ncountin]

My first child was 43 wks gestation when I went into labor.My midwives were pressing me for liability reasons to go ahead and induce even though they even admitted baby seemed just fine. Finally they said if you dont go into labor by 44wks we will have to induce I went a couple of days after 43 wks on my own and baby was just fine .Was it hard to wait ? Absolutely! With my 2nd ,my daughter I went into labor at 42 wks ,Again a hard wait but well worth the healthy baby. Some babies just need that extra time in the womb to be ready to come out into this big world.In passing with my 3rd my water broke at 39 wks but my body just didnt want to go into labor so I had pitocin and it was awful!I labored for only three hours but it was the most intense labor ever then I couldnt stop the urge to push at 8 cm so her chin got stuck on my cervix(ouch!) and then her shoulders were stuck after her head was birthed so I would definitely not induce for a post dates baby unless I had to it was my hardest birth so far.There is a definite difference between a pitocin contraction and a normal contraction.

[orangebird]

I was exactly 42 weeks when I went into labor with my first. (I was seeing an OB that pregnancy and had a VE the day befor that showed no changes top my cervix- no thinning or softening) I hadn't "dropped" yet either. I was set to go in the next morning for a NST but at midnight my water broke spontaneously. Labor started a few minutes later. 5 hours of labor and a couple of pushing.

Looking back, I'm surprised there was never one mention of induction. But then this was about 13 years ago.

[annakiss]

42 weeks and a day with DS1 for me. It's hard to wait, but it's owrth it. So glad I didn't go in to be induced. :nod I know 2 moms who recently had 43 weekers - one it was her 8th baby and the other her 3rd.

[flyingspaghettimama]

I was a few days short of 43 weeks for my planned homebirth...and only two days from being sent to the hospital for induction (due to local egal hotbutton issues for mw's). I did do some natural techniques - big walks, acupuncture in combination with some herbs from a naturopath. I did have two BPPs done - the first was great, the second was apparently worrisome to the staff at the outpatient clinic, but not to me. They said he wasn't moving, but I knew he was just asleep.

I went into labor after the natural induction, and he was born after 14 hours of mellow labor. It was great. He was great. I am so glad I waited for the right time, although I admit it's soooo hard to wait. But having him in that birthtub - totally awesome. And, I'd been on pitocin at my first birth and was absolutely against having that again. Has your client experienced pitocin before? It's horrible. Medical induction is not at all like waiting OR natural induction. Perhaps she might see a qualified naturopath?

[DesireeH]

Medical induction is not at all like waiting

I totally agree. I had my son at 39 weeks 6 days with medical induction (20 hours.) It was AWFUL. I would never do that again. I had my daughter at almost 42 weeks (11 days overdue) but my cycles were off too. It was an entirely difference experience. MUCH better (and 15 hours shorter!) I would definately encourage her to wait for her body to do it's thing, provided the baby is doing great (and sounds like it is!).

[chiro_kristin]

Thanks for the replies. I'm happy to announce she delivered a beautiful little boy all on her own!