thread: Anyone go over 42 weeks pregnant?

  1. #1
    Registered User

    May 2009
    16

    Anyone go over 42 weeks pregnant?

    How long over?
    Did your Dr want to induce at a certain stage?
    Did you have to have special monitoring?
    How did birth happen? Natural, induced or scheduled c-section?

    I'm only 40 weeks but just curious, as I never hear of anyone going over 42 weeks these days - but stats say 5-10% do!

  2. #2
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    If you're private then you probably won't ge tthe choice. Most will insist on induction at 41, 41+3 or 42 (depending on whatever arbitrary line they've drawn in the sand)
    In the public system you may have the option (particularly under midwifery-led care) to continue past 42 weeks with frequent monitoring.
    It certainly is unusual for anyone to go past 42 weeks these days (I mean, nobody actually wants to be pregnant that long anyway ).
    I was private first time round and was induced at 42 weeks.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Melbourne
    294

    I went to 42+1 with Bean, after refusing induction for the previous 2 days. Went naturally with the help of nipple stimulation (while dr was gloving up to break my waters - talk about skin of your teeth!), and had daily monitoring and fluid check. We were midwifery led at Monash.

    I was zen about it all until about 41w3d, went a bit loopy after that

  4. #4
    Platinum Member. Love a friend xxx

    Mar 2008
    Perth, WA
    1,225

    P was born just after I finished weelk 41.

    I didn't go to my last 2 clinic appointments becuase I was terrified of being induced.

    I knew baby would come when she was ready and my waters would break when they were ready...which they did, all over the couch.

    She didn't show any physical signs of being "over baked".

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Apr 2007
    in lactation land
    3,776

    We went to 42+3. They (public hospital) wanted to induce at 41+5 but I refused & was supported by my birth centre midwife and my bub was monitored daily from 42 weeks on. Had an ultrasound at 41+6 to check amniotic fluid levels which were fine and the head Ob was happy for us to continue waiting even though it wasn't the norm.

    I was eventually induced after 4 days of pre labour not going anywhere and getting very tired. I'm still glad I waited though as we had an awesome labour as I had given my body the best chance to prepare for labour and was fully engaged & dilated by the time I had the syntocin drip.

  6. #6
    ♥ BellyBelly's Creator ♥
    Add BellyBelly on Facebook Follow BellyBelly On Twitter

    Feb 2003
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, Australia
    8,982

    The stats on what gestation babies are born are hardly fair or accurate when many women are having inductions anyway, very few 'allowed' past 42 weeks (42 weeks according to machines and not the baby that is).
    Kelly xx

    Creator of BellyBelly.com.au, doula, writer and mother of three amazing children
    Author of Want To Be A Doula? Everything You Need To Know
    In 2015 I went Around The World + Kids!
    Forever grateful to my incredible Mod Team

  7. #7
    Platinum Member. Love a friend xxx

    Jan 2008
    hoppers crossing
    2,380

    i went 40 weeks 4 days...but my OB did that due oy risks of hig BP and other factors...

  8. #8
    Registered User

    May 2006
    Igglepiggle Land
    2,742

    My doula told me of a lady who went 20 days over, the hospital made a time for her to go in to be induced and the lady just didn't rock up .

    She went on to have a happy and healthy bub, not over cooked or anything!

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    I went to 42 attempting a VBAC, and in hindsight could have gone longer. Monitoring showed a healthy happy baby so there was no real "medical" reason at that time other than they were toey with me being a VBAC'er and at 42 weeks and saying that babies can die after that with no warming. Should have asked for that study.
    On another forum I have read of a lady who went to something like 45 +1 with absolutely no issues.

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Jan 2007
    7,197

    I went to 42 attempting a VBAC, and in hindsight could have gone longer. Monitoring showed a healthy happy baby so there was no real "medical" reason at that time other than they were toey with me being a VBAC'er and at 42 weeks and saying that babies can die after that with no warming. Should have asked for that study.
    On another forum I have read of a lady who went to something like 45 +1 with absolutely no issues.

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    In the jungle.
    4,809

    The WHO recommend inducing after 41 weeks, because babies can and have died for for no reason. http://apps.who.int/rhl/pregnancy_ch.../en/index.html

    I guess daily monitoring reduces the risk, and I was comfortable to go to 40+10, but I must admit I was getting a little nervous, and would have been induced the next day quite happily.

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Add ~clover~ on Facebook

    Sep 2007
    travelling
    9,557

    My close friend went to 42+2 only 2.5 years ago. Natural labour & delivery, with a very healthy 10lb 10oz baby boy

  13. #13
    Registered User

    May 2009
    16

    Tanstar, I'm also attempting VBAC, Dr doesn't induce, I don't want induction, so if I get to 42 weeks he'll be trying to book me in for a section.

    What happened with you at 42 weeks? Did you go into labour, or have a c?

  14. #14
    Registered User

    Feb 2007
    In the jungle.
    4,809

    I highly recommend acupuncture, I am sure it saved me from induction.

    You can have it from 38 weeks I think, induction acupuncture that is...