i'm 4 days overdue, and i'm curious how long an ob usually waits before inducing labor. i've heard about some women being as far as 43 weeks before being induced, and some being just a few days overdue. i know they like to give you time with first pregnancies, and they like to wait to induce bc the due dates can be off and they dont want the baby born too soon. but in a typical first pregnancy, how long will they wait? i dont want to be 43 weeks before anything happens! i'm ready to have her now.
2006-12-30 13:54:03 · 9 answers · asked by veitedl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
they induced me 1 day overdue. Being overdue is dangerous. You need to talk to your doctor
2006-12-30 14:01:40 · answer #1 · answered by rudyspuddin 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Babies know when they're ready to arrive! Inducing opens you up to a snowball effect of interventions that leads to an increase in the chances of c-section and so on. A normal average pregnancy lasts 38-42 weeks. Even at 43 weeks, less than 1 percent of babies have any issues, and it's generally nothing serious. If you're nervous, ask for a non-stress test to make sure the baby's doing fine. There's also a test that looks for something called fetal fibronectin that can tell you if you're likely to go into labor in the next week or so. I'm sure you're uncomfortable, but take advantage of this time to relax and enjoy your baby on the inside! Some doctors will induce earlier, but I have to tell you that the medicines they give you make labor way more painful - I've been there!
Natural induction is something you can try - and most of it is fun, too! Things like nipple stimulation, having sex (the prostaglandins in the 'swimmers' help things along), walking, and certain herbs can tend to move things along. You can also ask to have your membranes stripped - it's where a care provider does an internal exam and manually stretches the cervix and separates the bag of waters. It can be uncomfortable, though. I included a couple of good websites for you. Be patient and let your body tell you when it's time. Good luck :)
2006-12-30 14:02:21 · answer #2 · answered by Marleina 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on where you live.
USA: they generally induce at 41 weeks
Canada: Between 41& 42
Europe: Between 42 & 43 weeks.
The thing is it is normal for a first pregnancy to be 41weeks 3 days on average according to some studies. And being 40 weeks doesn't always mean your baby is ready, even when you are sure of your due date. Once upon a time due dates were always considered +/- two weeks. Then doctors wanted to look like they were doing more.
Induction also comes with a whole slew of risks that you should be aware of before consenting to it. Don't induce just because you are impatient. You will have your whole life with your child, respect them enough to come in their own time.
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/inducing.html
http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/cytotech.html
http://www.todaysparent.com/pregnancybirth/labour/article.jsp?content=20030523_130040_4292
http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/32523.html
Also before you are induced it is VERY important to know your Bishop's Score. It is a measure of how likely an induction is to succeed:
http://mother-care.ca/bishop.htm
http://www.childbirth.org/interactive/induction.html
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/plabor/0,,p94g,00.html
2006-12-30 14:06:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My OB told me she waits 10 days over before discussing induction options. If the baby is not too large and there are no health risks - even though you're ready! - it's better to wait.
When I was pregnant with my twins I was ready at 37 weeks to have them but she made me wait until I was right at 40 weeks. By that point I had started swelling extremely bad and it was almost impossible for me to breathe.
All they did was rupture my bag of water and labour went off without a hitch! 3 days later I got to take home 2 healthy 8 pound baby boys. Those last few weeks were a horrible wait but being able to have an uncomplicated birth with with no health concerns was well worth it!
Good luck to you - you'll meet your baby soon enough! Your doctor, your body and most importantly your baby will tell you when it's time.
2006-12-30 15:39:30 · answer #4 · answered by sweetin30349 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mostly they wait til a full 41 weeks unless the baby shows signs of being unhappy in it's environment. Are you having non stress tests and an ultrasound? As you become more overdue, these will become more important. Good luck
2006-12-30 13:59:25 · answer #5 · answered by Skip 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Typically 10 days to two weeks, depending on the doctor and the situation. If you have a good stomach, you could try castor oil, they do that in hospital too, it just induces labor.
2006-12-30 14:24:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is usually 2 weeks past your due date... unless there is another reason to induce... like baby stressed, fever, possible infection and things like that.
2006-12-30 15:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by hokiegirlvt79 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It used to be 2 weeks. That may have changed. 43 weeks isn't that long hon.
2006-12-30 14:03:10 · answer #8 · answered by Karen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your good to up to two weeks after the due date but til then try some home remedies theres lots of them out there, run up and down the stairs over and over agian, take a day where you literally have sex all day long over and over agian, i know its exhausting but it does help move the process along good luck and congrats
2006-12-30 13:58:12 · answer #9 · answered by <3 mykiddos,mylife <3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋