Comments on: Beyond Due Dates: How Late is Too Late?

By: ElElRi

ElElRi — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:23:24 +0000

Oh you should’ve posted the rest of these articles I’ll have to look for them.

By: ElElRi

ElElRi — Thu, 13 May 2010 03:22:14 +0000

I’m at the age where tons of people I know are having babies (24, so my friends are all 22 – 32) and I see this over and over again. And when it rarely ends without a c-section or horribly traumatic delivery I’m happy, but it sadly usually has not for people I know.

I went to almost 42 weeks and was told repeatedly by the midwives that I really “need to get this labor going” after 40 weeks 3 days, and was told to speak to the OB about it, and the OB kept saying my decision not to induce, based on my own research, was “interesting”.. I’m guessing he did not see women refuse induction much.

And even without an induction after my hospital experience with those midwives and that OB, I’ve decided being in a hospital for my future births – barring emergency – is not a good option for me, so home birth it is for my future kids with or without a midwife (if she stops seeing people at 42 weeks, oh well, I’m not doing what I did last time. No way.)!

I try to spread the word about what is evidenced based.. I shared this with some pregnant friends because the comments in here are exactly the sort of thing I think about this.

I look forward to the rest of this!

By: Sherwood

Sherwood — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:14:50 +0000

Very good topic. I have known people whose babies with a month early and nearly a month late- all were healthy. As one mom said “I think everyone’s oven cooks at a little different temperature” The pure absurdity of forcing a healthy baby out early is wrong from so many different angles. AND more importantly, Dr.momma blog recently did a closer look at induction, and upon reviewing the pitocin package insert found out that pitocin is contraindicated by the manufacturer for inducing labor, rather it’s a “augmentation” for failure to progress- another beauty It is appalling to hear these stories of psychopathic OBs on insane power rants over pregnant women, and know that this happens everyday all over this county and the world- thank you increasing awareness and for sensibility!

By: Laura Setiu

Laura Setiu — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:57:42 +0000

Thanks for bringing up this topic. I have had 3 boys who have all been 41- 42.5 weeks ‘overdue’. There is so much social pressure when you go past your due date as people start asking on a very regular basis “have you had your baby yet” and “when are you going to be induced” and “oh i would get an induction…it’s been long enough already”. As a society we have squeezed childbirth into our ‘control’ box and that to we want to have on schedule. I have been blessed to be supported by 2 midwives who were more than happy to watch and wait.

By: Helen Loucado

Helen Loucado — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:07:37 +0000

Mayri, so glad to see you here! I really appreciate your approach to this topic and will share it with clients. I attended a labor support workshop you taught in 1999 through ALACE. Loved it, so inspiring. This whole issue of being considered post dates is very stressful for moms. Last month a woman who took my birth class asked for natural things to get labor going because she didn’t want the pressure and stress from her OB about going 41 weeks. This is just insane. Even women who have midwifery care are affected. So pleased to have your logical,intelligent voice to this discussion.

By: Twitted by 4manspeak

Twitted by 4manspeak — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:57:44 +0000

[...] This post was Twitted by 4manspeak [...]

By: Sally Westbury

Sally Westbury — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:21:27 +0000

personally i am frustrated by the question.

so.. how long will they let you go over??

i tell women… who are they??? when did they take possession of my mind and body.

Each woman is capable and competent to assess risks and benefits and decide what will happen to her body and her baby.

Having waited recently for spontaneous labour until 46+1 day past her EDB. I trust women.

By: Amy V. Haas, BCCE

Amy V. Haas, BCCE — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:45:57 +0000

@Claire Winstone
actually, sometimes midwives do freak out about size.
I am thinking they may be ones who fear shoulder dystocia.
Are they not taught the Gaskin Maneuver?

By: Amy V. Haas, BCCE

Amy V. Haas, BCCE — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:39:17 +0000

You are correct Rosie!
The length of normal human gestion has been estimated to be longer than nagel’s rule — there was a study done, but no one seems to know about it.
they estimated that the average for a 1st time mom is actually 41 weeks and one day. This takes the “over due” date out to 43 weeks and 1 day.
apparently 99% of women will birth by then.

I am also floored by the alternating arguments care providers use -
” your baby will grow too big–” (fear of shoulder dystocia)
” your system will stop working–” (fear of postmaturity syndrome)
so wait a min. — which is it? The system shuts down, or the baby keeps growing? Make up your minds!!!

By: MomTFH

MomTFH — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:08:57 +0000

At the birth center where I trained as a midwife, we did biophysical profiles on anyone who went post date. Unfortunately, we were legally required to transfer care at 42.0 days.

I was a doula for a grand multip who went 10 days over with every pregnancy, just like her mother. She started post dating her FDLMP when she presented at each initial prenatal visit, so they ob/gyn would not start pressuring her to induce when she invariably went post date.