past due pregnancies

[Xpycoctomos]

My wife is now 10 days overdue and counting... it would just be nice to know that there are others out there who have been in her position.
Im on Spring Break and we were thinking at WORST he would be born at the beginning of the week and then we would be able to use this week to recoop and get our ducks kind of in a row... nope. Spring break is over as of today and now it is just the regular weekend.

ugh.

We've done all the old wives tales even though not any of them pan out in scientific studies, even in correlation, but we are pretty desperate. We made the mistake of picking the ONE hippy doctor at the clinic we go to who won't induce without an order from the president himself (or so it seems). Any of the other doctors would have had her induced today at latest.

Anyway, therea re much worse situations to be in.

Oh, and there should be a law against doctors even SAGGESTING that you're going to "go early". Three of them told us this stariting about 10 weeks ago. So now it feels like we are more like 25 days overdue than just 10.

Just venting. Anyone else been there?

Xpy

[Xpycoctomos]

And then I read aobut the triplets here whom might be born at 22 weeks. So, plese accept this thread as a rant of frustration. There are complications that overdue pregnancies can cause especially when your doctor is one of those "natural at almost all costs" kind of docs (and we didn't know that...) so we are concerned about his judgment (not that he is not highly qualified or highly trained or skilled but moreso that we feel completely powerless in making the decisions we feel are best and this is our first kid so we don't really know what to expect.). BUT, I MUCH prefer our situation to that of the mother with the triplets. My prayers are with her.

Xpy

[Anhelyna]

Xpy

I feel for your wife - I went 14 days over with my first daughter. That small infant was a mere 9lb 14 oz when she chose to bless us with her appearance.

Really they tell you when they will come - and it's not a good idea to hurry the process

[Kairos]

My mother was in her position when I was born - and then some. It wasn't fun for her, I'm sure, but everything turned out fine. God willing, the waiting will all be over with soon. :)

[Monica, child of God]

I went over by several days. I think my original due date was 12/25 and my son was born on 1/6. I never even noticed that we went from New Style Christmas to Old Style Christmas Eve till now :)

Anyhoo...the labor started on its own eventually. About midway through labor they gave me pitocin to speed things up. There was a HUGE difference in the feeling of the contractions with pitocin and without. I much prefered the natural contractions than the induced ones.

Hang in there :) your kid will make his/her debut when he/she is good and ready.

M.

[Dorothea]

Dang. I'd get the doc to change his mind! lol I was induced with both of my deliveries. The first ended up being c-section because he was too big. The second one managed to come naturally (and with labor pains that I didn't have the first time). I also had epidurals with both, so the induction really wasn't too bad. My sister's first was induced a couple days after the due date, and the child was 9 lbs. 7 oz. The second girl was 7 lbs. 3 oz because they took her 2 weeks early because they were worried about the size.

[Dorothea]

And it's also possible that the baby is too big to come out and won't unless induced and a c-section. That happened with my first. No labor or contractions with him at all. I pushed and everything. He didn't budge (this was after waiting after being induced around 9:00 or so in the morning on Saturday and then ending up being ready to push by Sunday evening around 5:00, and after an hour of nothing (and throwing up once because I was empty and low blood sugar doesn't do so well with no food for 16 or so hours)), so the ended up having to do a c-section, which I was so against the whole 9 months. lol I kept telling my doc I wanted natural and no cutting. LOL Oh well.

Anyway, I will keep you all in my prayers.

[elizabethevangeline]

My first child was 2 weeks overdue. I was sooo tired of waiting! I even went back to work on my official due date because I had been sitting at home, bored, for a couple weeks.
Has the Dr. "reamed the membranes"? It didn't do much for me. You've probably heard the stories about long walks or off-road bumpy jeep drives? :)
My delivery was induced on the 14th day past due. After being on pitocin all day they gave me the choice of going home, or breaking my water for me. There was no way I was going back for a 2nd day of pitocin! My son was born about 10pm.
Alert! too much information coming....
The pitocin does make contractions more intense, but my midwife let me walk around and take a shower to help me relax, and the nurses used hot compresses and oil massage to help "things" along more comfortably. I definitely needed the push bar to hold on to...a little like I would imagine surfing to be-here comes a wave (contraction), jump on and go with it! :)

My son was groggy for a couple days from the narcotic pain killer I received (no epidural), but I don't think he suffered any problems from being induced. He has that "resistant to change" personality. Who knows how long he would have stayed in there!

[Nichole]

My twin went 2 weeks over due with her daughter. The doctor induced her and she ended up having a C-section (baby was coming wrong way--breech?).

[rainbowbright]

it's never too late to switch doctors. I unfortunately don't know how she feels b/c I was early with all of mine, but I was induced, my oldest son's water broke 3 weeks early, with my 2nd, I was tired of being pregnant since I got pregnant with her 2 weeks after my miscarriage so my doctor found a medical reason to take her out a week early, and my twins weren't sharing their nutrienst with each other so they got out 2 weeks early

[Orthosdoxa]

There are complications that overdue pregnancies can cause especially when your doctor is one of those "natural at almost all costs" kind of docs

There certainly are, and I happen to have some pretty strong feelings about crunchy granola natural at all cost birthing methodologies... I know a few women whose babies died in utero because mom was two weeks or so overdue and refused medical intervention to get the birth going.

Personally, if it were me, I'd be either telling him to induce, or finding a new doc, if baby doesn't show up on his own in the next day or two.

[MariaRegina]

When I was overdue by about 10 days, I drank some prune juice. Shortly after that, I was relieved when the contractions started coming harder and more regular. I was admitted about three hours later and I did not need an enema either. Nature took care of that.

[Xpycoctomos]

Update...
I talked to a friend who was a resident in the OB ward at the hospital we will be going to. He worked with that same doctor and he understood our concersn (that is, he identified with our not being as granola bar-y lol) and assured us that although this doctor is known to be conservative he is not a... in the words of Orthosdoxa, a crunchy granola bar type. lol So, we feel a lot better about his judgment.

Thanks for your sharing guys and just hearing me out.

God bless,

XPy

[Thekla]

3plus weeks overdue with our first (sonogram stress test), a rather stubborn child. 2 weeks overdue thereafter (4 times) except one, induced after external version from a breech position ...

and my mother was always 2 weeks late...

don't worry. the baby will come, get your rest while you can :)

our first three were delivered by a family practice Dr. (he volunteered in the NNICU on his only day off, holding babies) -- he advised patience and monitoring with our first (post-term but healthy) child

our second three were delivered by midwives; Jane recommended induction so son #4 wouldn't turn back to breech)

[rainbowbright]

I am the least crunchiest person in the world and I switched doctors b/c I was going to one who was more like a midwife. She didn't even do an ultrasound with my first check-up and only did one for my second b/c she couldn't hear the heartbeat on the doppler and didn't believe I was pregnant. When I had my ultrasound, it turns out I was 2 weeks ahead of what we thought I was (she checked by hand my first time and was off by another week). I went back to my old ob, who is chief of obsterics at the hospital and does as much medical intervention as possible. She says that b/c I didn't have an 8-week ultrasound, she is not sure how far along I am b/c it gets harder to tell the bigger the baby gets. Anyways, my point being is I feel very uncomfortable around hippie people and I want all the medical interevention that is out there.

[MariaRegina]

Unless you are using Natural Family Planning to estimate the date of conception, conception and estimated dates of delivery are not that accurate.

The so-called 8-week ultrasound is based on the belief that you conceived at 14 days after you started your period. Not all women are so regular.

However, in my case, I had the flu, so that my ovulation was delayed by almost three weeks. Since I was charting per my doctor's instructions, (past infertility problems) we could precisely pinpoint the day of ovulation to within 48 hours.

However, the nurse went crazy because she did not believe in charting, and therefore, did not allow me to have a natural child birth because she considered me two weeks past the due date although my chart showed that I was one week early. She was extremely bossy and demanded to know when my last day of menses began.

My doctor agreed with me, but the Nurse pulled rank and I was put in a regular hospital room. Then my son was in a brow-presentation. As a result, I almost needed a C-Section. The prayer line at my church was activated, and things went better. The doctor was able to do a low forceps delivery and reach in and turn the baby's head. After that I had a normal V-delivery. The rest is history. My son is now married.

Oh, my son weighed in at 8 lbs 13.5 ounces. He was very healthy too.

[Xpycoctomos]

Unless you are using Natural Family Planning to estimate the date of conception, conception and estimated dates of delivery are not that accurate.


This is why we know we are now 11 days overdue. :)

[Knowledge3]

See and ask a medical professional or even a specialist who has training in the field of pregnancy and childbearing.

[Knowledge3]

There certainly are, and I happen to have some pretty strong feelings about crunchy granola natural at all cost birthing methodologies... I know a few women whose babies died in utero because mom was two weeks or so overdue and refused medical intervention to get the birth going.

Personally, if it were me, I'd be either telling him to induce, or finding a new doc, if baby doesn't show up on his own in the next day or two.

I'll be honest about something. Specifically, Orthosdoxa you have been talking about childbearing and babies consistently for longer than 2 years. You advertise it on the forum and cannot stop speaking about embryology,the fetus,and all things pertaining to childbearing and birth. Consistently after another one cannot stop speaking about everything pertaining to childbearing and medical complications associated with bearing children.

[Orthosdoxa]

I'll be honest about something. Specifically, Orthosdoxa you have been talking about childbearing and babies consistently for longer than 2 years. You advertise it on the forum and cannot stop speaking about embryology,the fetus,and other things pertaining to childbearing and birth. Consistently after another one cannot stop speaking about everything pertaining to childbearing and all medical complications associated with bearing children. . .
Well, Knowledge, whatever you mean by "you advertise it all over the forums" is totally lost on me. But yeah, I have no problem admitting that I love children and I love babies, they have a special place in my heart, and I tend to talk about things I love.

If you don't like my posts, just put me on ignore, and you won't see them. It won't even hurt my feelings. :)

[Knowledge3]

Well, Knowledge, whatever you mean by "you advertise it all over the forums" is totally lost on me. But yeah, I have no problem admitting that I love children and I love babies, they have a special place in my heart, and I tend to talk about things I love.

If you don't like my posts, just put me on ignore, and you won't see them. It won't even hurt my feelings. :)

I have been doing careful reading of everyone's posting and messages in the forum. I would note that you are connected with the whole emphasis on childbearing and and having children. And that you have spoken consistently about it a -long- time. - I can connect this with your prayer request-. One could say that you are happy in bearing children but you are also bound by the same.

[Monica, child of God]

I'll be honest about something. Specifically, Orthosdoxa you have been talking about childbearing and babies consistently for longer than 2 years. You advertise it on the forum and cannot stop speaking about embryology,the fetus,and all things pertaining to childbearing and birth. Consistently after another one cannot stop speaking about everything pertaining to childbearing and medical complications associated with bearing children.

Hi K3,

I know on a certain level hearing about childbirth and complications with it might be disturbing or even boring. But keep in mind that we are supposed to pray for others who need help. Orthodoxa is helping the babies, the moms and dads and us TAWers by sharing these stories.

Just something to think about.

M.

[Orthosdoxa]

One could say that you are happy in bearing children but you are also bound by the same.

And one could also say you're passing judgment on a person you don't know based on very limited information on an internet forum.

Being a Christian means believing God answers prayers. Being a Christian also means having compassion on others, lifting them up in prayer and asking other Christians to do so. Don't you agree?

I have a heart for children and babies. That's love, not being bound. Loving others, particularly the weak and vulnerable, is one way we can show our love for God. What is your heart for, Knowledge? What do you love?

[Knowledge3]

I have a heart for children and babies. That's love, not being bound. Loving others, particularly the weak and vulnerable, is one way we can show our love for God. What is your heart for, Knowledge? What do you love?

The heart is the hidden place or thing of God ~

Two things I love are a) recitation of the Psalms and b) observing (being observant of) the beauty of nature and all things in general.

[Orthosdoxa]

Very good.

I'm going to stop hijacking the thread now and give it back to Xpy.

[Knowledge3]

Hi K3,

I know on a certain level hearing about childbirth and complications with it might be disturbing or even boring. But keep in mind that we are supposed to pray for others who need help. Orthodoxa is helping the babies, the moms and dads and us TAWers by sharing these stories.

Just something to think about.

M.

Isn't a Bishop supposed to give a lecture on biology and human nature? lol :P

[Monica, child of God]

Isn't a Bishop supposed to give a lecture on biology and human nature? lol :P

Well, I don't think Orthodoxa has lectured us. And, yes, a Bishop can talk about biology and human nature. But so can a layperson.

M.

[zhilan]

Xpy,

I didn't even realize your wife is pregnant. Wow, congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you.

This is probably just evidence that your little one is bound for greatness, you know, wanting to make a fashionably late entrance and all. ;D

[Xpycoctomos]

lol, thanks Zilan :)

[Xpycoctomos]

Well, the induction is tomorrow. Hopefully she goes in on her own naturally, but if not, my wife is looking forward to Tuesday evening despite how painful it will be. She is getting drugged and having as unnatural a birth as possible! :) Epidurals, machines, doctors, monitors, inductions, c-section if necessary and anything else :)

[MariaRegina]

My prayers for your family's safety: for your wife and your child.

I will pray that the child will decide to emerge on his own.

[Dorothea]

Well, the induction is tomorrow. Hopefully she goes in on her own naturally, but if not, my wife is looking forward to Tuesday evening despite how painful it will be. She is getting drugged and having as unnatural a birth as possible! :) Epidurals, machines, doctors, monitors, inductions, c-section if necessary and anything else :)
:clap: Good to read, Xpy! :D

[Thekla]

to quote our Dr., "baby soon" :D


prayers for the new family !

[Xpycoctomos]

My prayers for your family's safety: for your wife and your child.

I will pray that the child will decide to emerge on his own.
Unfortunately it's not up to him, lol.

[Xpycoctomos]

So, everything went VERY well. The inductions started that night and they ended up NOT having to use pitocin. The doctor thought that perhaps my wife was already in the early stages of labor and gave her a quarter of some pill that is used to soften the cervix. that just kind of kicked of what was already trying to start. By early morning she was in labor. The doctor gave her something to take the edge off the contractions which worked great in that it didn't slow them down but also allowed her to get a little sleep.

The later when she reached 4cm she asked for an epidural which was FANTASTIC. Nothing slowed down enough to worry about and by 2:00 she was ready to push. The doctor was out of the hopital at the time, so she held off pushing until he got there. This would not have been possible without hte epidural (so says everyone) because the urge to push is so great wtiht he epidural and without it it is almost unstoppable. Then she pushed for just over an hour and came the baby. The doctor coached her really well so she bearly tore any. He said the tears are usually a lot worse in patience with no epidurals simply becuase it is so much more difficult for them to stop and let things stretch out.

My wife said that the process was not that bad and that she has (literally) had colds that made her suffer more.

So, for hte soon to be mothers, don't let all-natural-birth people talk you out of one. Educate yourself from the medical and natural-brith standpoints and look at stats and such. (in the same way, don't let me talk you into one) :) Maybe it's not for you but maybe it is. I can tell you that becuase of it my wife is already (5 days later) back to almost 100% (her words).

Everyone is healthy, by the way. The baby is great... and humungous! 9lbs11oz! I know there are bigger babies out htere (someone at our church had an 11lb-er! 20 years ago) but that is pretty good. When my wife asked the doctor if she tore he laughed and said "you did a little, there was no way you were getting that size of a kid out of you without tearing" lol

Thanks for your prayers and concerns.

God bless!

Xpy

[Orthosdoxa]

I'm so glad everything went well. Congratulations. :)

[Orthosdoxa]

Can we see a pic of the little man? :)

[Nichole]

WOOT :clap: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :clap:

You will have a to post some pics when you can! :D

[Xpycoctomos]

Unfortunately my wife does not like pics posted in forums (even though there is nothing anyone could do with that information). So, I have to respect that. I can say that he is as pale as his parents and very big... and quite cute :)

[MsDahl]

Glad to hear everything went well.

[Philothei]

Unfortunately my wife does not like pics posted in forums (even though there is nothing anyone could do with that information). So, I have to respect that. I can say that he is as pale as his parents and very big... and quite cute :)
Congrats XRY :) yay it is finally here :)

I do not blame for your wife not wanting pics...not one bit.


My daughter was 9.12 LB and had a c-section and about one week overdue... no biggy :) Glad you did not panik too much.

Happy Pascha (I delivered during bright week.... thank God) and many many years to your new addtion.

Philothei

[Xpycoctomos]

Thanks!

[Xpycoctomos]

Thanks Philothei,

9lb12oz ... Wow! Well, you definitely win. :) At that rate, good thing you weren't 2 weeks late! Did your child fit newborn stuff? Ours had to go directly to 0-3mth :)

[rainbowbright]

congrats on your new bundle. Aren't epidurals the best, not only did she feel great, but you got some relief too (hopefully she wasn't like I was when I had a natural birth and almost broke my husband's hand, being that I was a pianist and all). I'm already thinking epidural with this one if I have to get pitocin again. Anyways, I think someone should start an non-crunchy advocacy group somewhere b/c like you said, those people like to bully others who decide not to do it their way- don't even get me started on the subject of the proper way to feed our kids.

[Anhelyna]

Congratulations to you and your wife, Xpy

mnohaia lita! to the little one.

[Philothei]

Thanks Philothei,

9lb12oz ... Wow! Well, you definitely win. :) At that rate, good thing you weren't 2 weeks late! Did your child fit newborn stuff? Ours had to go directly to 0-3mth :)
I had to exchange all newborn she was too fat....lol... she is two sizes ahead still now at 12...

Yeah she was a big girl.... I got tons of clothes I did not buy clothes for her for 2 years :) Our community was very generous and they treated her like a princess no wonder she is so spoiled still... Cannot complain though since I still buy her clothes ... with little nagging from her part. Now boys are different though. They are into expensive cars... be careful Xry....

Ah... BTW epidurals are not great they are straight out dangerous... I had two done on my back (because one was not working so two pokes.... two holes... yikes) and also a spot of mumbness that my orthopieadic surgeon says it caused it... but it would be very hard to prove... No that it bothers me, it does not (it gets a bit numb when I walk on it too much) but it certainly deadened the nerve there. If I got ever pregnant again I would rather have a normal birth... or if C-section just go under... Maybe by now epidurals are more successful but I had a bad experience that is for sure....

[Thekla]

Congratulations !!!

God bless the new family !

:)

[skoi]

Congratulations!

[Xpycoctomos]

I had to exchange all newborn she was too fat....lol... she is two sizes ahead still now at 12...

Yeah she was a big girl.... I got tons of clothes I did not buy clothes for her for 2 years :) Our community was very generous and they treated her like a princess no wonder she is so spoiled still... Cannot complain though since I still buy her clothes ... with little nagging from her part. Now boys are different though. They are into expensive cars... be careful Xry....

Ah... BTW epidurals are not great they are straight out dangerous... I had two done on my back (because one was not working so two pokes.... two holes... yikes) and also a spot of mumbness that my orthopieadic surgeon says it caused it... but it would be very hard to prove... No that it bothers me, it does not (it gets a bit numb when I walk on it too much) but it certainly deadened the nerve there. If I got ever pregnant again I would rather have a normal birth... or if C-section just go under... Maybe by now epidurals are more successful but I had a bad experience that is for sure....
I don't know enough to talk about hte scientific info regarding epidurals (which is why I also said not to let me convince anyone here) however, I will say three things 1) my doctor said they have made great advances in epidurals (although, I don't know if they have improved in this way or not) and 2) epidurals are a safer than c-section (and certainly better than going under although I am pretty sure that they tend to use local anestesia for c-sections... I could be wrong)- not that c-sections should be avoided and not ot suggest that they are somehow dangerous as they are done quite routinely - 3) there's risk in everything. Tearing can be very dangerous and is much more common (from what I have read) in non-epidural patients.

However, your point still stands that epidurals are not a 100% deal. Also, for some people they don't work becuase it depends on people's biological makeup and the anestisiologist. For some people it works very unevenly (and the nurse siad that this can be very agravating and make things difficult for themother in labor to have that uneven pain) or can numb someone to the point that they don't even feel the presure during labor so it's very difficult for them to know how hard they are pushing or when to push. So, for some people they can be a absolute miracle with absolutely no bad side-effects, for others they can be a down-right nusance and as will all things, there is always risk. Hind-sight is always 20/20. My wife's mom came with. She had a baby about 13 years ago when epidurals were provided and she opted out. She tried to convince my wife not to use one. When she saw the birth she laughed and said she doesn't know what she was thinking not getting one. But, how would she have known then? In the end, what matters most is that the mother and child ends up healthy after the healing. After that, it's just a matter of weighing the consequences and one's personal preferences. We have friends who went completley natural and had the baby in jakuzzi or something (not at a hospital but a birth center) and while there is no WAY I would have let my wife give birth 15 min away from a NICU, the parents need to follow their own conscience and even despite my strong opinions regarding all of this, no parent should be criticized for the choices they make assuming their intentions and reasoning is sound (even if unorthodox... not to be confused with unOrthodox :) THAT should be criticized lol).

Xpy

[SeekingTheLight]

I had to exchange all newborn she was too fat....lol... she is two sizes ahead still now at 12...

Yeah she was a big girl.... I got tons of clothes I did not buy clothes for her for 2 years :) Our community was very generous and they treated her like a princess no wonder she is so spoiled still... Cannot complain though since I still buy her clothes ... with little nagging from her part. Now boys are different though. They are into expensive cars... be careful Xry....

Ah... BTW epidurals are not great they are straight out dangerous... I had two done on my back (because one was not working so two pokes.... two holes... yikes) and also a spot of mumbness that my orthopieadic surgeon says it caused it... but it would be very hard to prove... No that it bothers me, it does not (it gets a bit numb when I walk on it too much) but it certainly deadened the nerve there. If I got ever pregnant again I would rather have a normal birth... or if C-section just go under... Maybe by now epidurals are more successful but I had a bad experience that is for sure....
Well, having had two C-sections, they do not put you under in most cases - you get a spinal, which is an injection directly into the spinal column that completely numbs you from waist down. So, there are definitely risks there as well.

[Xpycoctomos]

Well, having had two C-sections, they do not put you under in most cases - you get a spinal, which is an injection directly into the spinal column that completely numbs you from waist down. So, there are definitely risks there as well.
whoa! thanks... I didn't know about the spinal!

[Philothei]

Originally Posted by SeekingTheLight http://www3.christianforums.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=46152248#post46152248)
Well, having had two C-sections, they do not put you under in most cases - you get a spinal, which is an injection directly into the spinal column that completely numbs you from waist down. So, there are definitely risks there as well.



That is what I had after the epidural.... they just put more med... as they left the line open... I was in labour for 12 hours and because the dialation was not 10 the doctor opted for the C-section.... I was high risk as I had also late stage eclampsia... and HBPressure... the baby was also in distress they could not wait any longer.... What I say thus is that due to complications I had to have a c-section and I would rather have them put me under...

[Katzen]

Congratulations on your little one! :)

[zhilan]

Yay congrats! And what a blessing to have your baby come just in time for Holy Week.

[MariaRegina]

Congratulations.

Will the baby be churched and Baptized during the Pascha season?

[Xpycoctomos]

yeah, probably end of May.

[Xpycoctomos]

His naming is this evening.

[MariaRegina]

His naming is this evening.

Way to go. :)

[Monica, child of God]

Congratulations!

(BTW--I am pretty crunchy when it comes to baby-having and nursing but I don't force it on anyone.)

M.

[Xpycoctomos]

Naming got postponed until next monday. Just thought I'd let you know for... whatever reason lol

[MariaRegina]

The naming will be more joyful while singing Xristos Anesti.