Does anyone know the odds of having a truly post-term (beyond 42 weeks) baby? I figure a lot of "late" babies are probably due to inaccurate dating, but we were charting using Taking Charge of Your Fertility, so I'm very sure of my conception date. My doctor is reluctant to let mothers go much beyond the 42-week mark, and I'm just wondering what the odds of that happening were.
foodie.yarnie.mommie.
08-01-2008, 06:17 PM
Honestly I personally don't think mother nature lets it happen that often because it can have risk factors, but like you I am 100% positive of conception time within a week and my EDD has me delivering about a week and a half before my 40w, so I would still be within the 42. Totally just my opinion though.
fairy_wings
08-01-2008, 06:54 PM
We knew our conception time down to within a 2 hour window, and we went post-dates with Aidan. He was born at 41w2d, with no interventions. And he was covered in very thick vernix and very obviously not "late" at all. Some babies need longer to "cook" but going past 42 weeks is not all that common.
Tiny Trousers
08-01-2008, 08:09 PM
I know that I was due on July 22nd and that this Tuesday marks 42 weeks. I don't know what the odds are, but apparently I may fall in that small percentage. I think I read that 5% go beyond 42 weeks.
MamaToBe84
08-02-2008, 05:29 PM
i knew my conception date down to like the MOMENT of ovulation.. my due date according to LMP, was march 18th. But, i ovulate late, and i ovulated on the 18th day rather than the "typical" 14th day, and riley was due at 40w4days LMP, or EXACTLY 40w if you take the actual day of conception, lol!
It happens, but just trust your body, honestly. 99% of the time, it really knows what its doing!
OneFabMama
08-02-2008, 05:34 PM
I am 100% sure of my conception date because it was like the only time that month we DTD.
I'm not passed 42 weeks (40w4d right now) but my MW said it was very rare she had patients go over 42 weeks. I hope that is the case.
My DD was born at 38 weeks, and barely any vernix at all.
This kid obviously just needs a few more days to cook.
RachelC
08-02-2008, 05:49 PM
I was completely positive of my conception date with ds and I went to 41 weeks and 6 days...so technically, he still wasn't postdates, but close!
RachelC
08-02-2008, 05:51 PM
I am 100% sure of my conception date because it was like the only time that month we DTD.
The actual conception might not have actually taken place when you DTD since sperm can survive for up to 5 days, maybe longer. :)
OneFabMama
08-02-2008, 06:38 PM
The actual conception might not have actually taken place when you DTD since sperm can survive for up to 5 days, maybe longer. :)
I know that - but I got my BFP around 9dpo so I doubt they hung around for 5 or so days before getting to their destination.
But, I also realize the "due date" is just a big fat guess. Doesn't really mean anything to me - and he'll come when he's ready. :mrgreen:
RachelC
08-02-2008, 06:48 PM
I know that - but I got my BFP around 9dpo so I doubt they hung around for 5 or so days before getting to their destination.
But, I also realize the "due date" is just a big fat guess. Doesn't really mean anything to me - and he'll come when he's ready. :mrgreen:
Yep, you're right. :) I got my BFP with my ds at 9 dpo too!
neveraim
08-03-2008, 09:59 AM
It would be soooo convenient for everyone if all babies "cooked" for the same amount of time. But we are all different...with different length cycles and our babies need different amounts of time to mature and grow.
So many women are induced for "post-dates" when they really don't need to be. Although there can be problems with having a baby late...the risk in this country is having a pre-term baby because OB's are so scared of liablity that they are inducing and C/S women 1-2-and even 3 or more weeks before their EDD. Our rates of pre-term and premature infants in this country are higher than ever because of it. That's scary!
If you have a baby that needs a little longer to bake and your dates are off...having a 3 week early c/s could easily get you a 35 weeker that ends up in the NICU. I've seen it happen. Gestational age is hardest to tell, the bigger your baby is. It's near impossible to "read" soft tissue on an ultrasound..so if you didn't have one in early pregnancy...it's very difficult to get a true idea of dates.
The E in EDD stands for ESTIMATED, not Exact. We have always been taught that average is 2 weeks before or 2 weeks after that date. Everyone in this country is perfectly comfortable with going at 38 weeks, but mention 42 and suddenly you've got an emergency on your hands!
Babies come when they are ready.
Kaci
08-03-2008, 10:39 AM
I knew my dates for certain and DS was born at 42w5d.
jennylou
08-03-2008, 10:45 AM
Well, my mom went about three weeks over due with me. Not sure how confident she was with her dates, but she went around her due date with my older sister and she was like 7 lbs 4 oz, whereas I came out 9 lbs 15 oz.
ClothDiaperMePlease
08-03-2008, 10:48 AM
I was 41 5 this time. Lots of vernix in the tub when my water broke as I was pushing. But I rarely hear of moms over 42.
justjess
08-03-2008, 10:55 AM
my last child i had a good idea of the time frame of conception due to my DH only being out of the field for like a 2 weeks break!!LOL however the doc said i couldnt be that far along because of having had a slight period. needless to say all my fluid ended up going somewhere and i had him at 39 weeks according to the docs due date. i would have been 41 weeks according to mine. i have no clue how the whole waiting things happens i've had to be induced with all three of mine. I'm just DYING to get the chance to go into labor maturally!!!!! maybe #4 will be the one!!!
jackkant
08-03-2008, 11:06 AM
My MIL was overdue (well and truly), with all three of her boys. I think her youngest was closest to her due date at 43 weeks. Her other boys were both 44 weeks and longer. She didn't have any problems birthing them at home (my DH was 10.5 pounds!), nor did any of them have any health problems. I had mine at 41 weeks 3 days, and I totally can't imagine being THAT pregnant for so long. D:
oneofsix
08-07-2008, 05:50 PM
I have 7 and my earliest was 13 days past my edd. One was covered in vernix (at 16 days past). Post maturity is very rare. Only 5% of babies who are post dates are born post mature. And I think only 10% of pg go post dates and of those only 5% are post mature. So yea the odds are really low. However low the odds are, post dates is the leading cause of OB lawsuits. Because patients feel "if he had just induced me earlier". They feel it could be prevented. Lawsuits is why drs do what they do though. Educating ourselves is the best way to keep ourselves and our babies safe.
I am ttc and fully expecting to go to 42 weeks for an 8th time. For the longest time I thought there was something wrong with me. Why couldn't I go into labor sooner? But I just realized that is how long my babies need and I am so glad I didn't go with the induction route because forever I would feel like my body couldn't do it on its own.
lovemyzoo
08-08-2008, 12:55 AM
I went past 42 weeks with 2, and to 41 weeks 4 days with another. with all I had a 2-3 day window at the most for getting preg.. With one of my 42 weekers I had a 1 day shot at getting preg...
All 3 were induced, 2 with no signs really of labor, no BH or anything.. I was at 2-3CM and 30% when they started the inductions. With my 41 week 4 days I was still 1cm and 10% they id a foley cat. induction to rippen my cervix and try to start labor with out anything else.
