Induced

[Lakitu]

What would happen if a baby didn't come on it's due date and the mother was never induced?

Would there be health repercussions for both mother and child?

[888sally888]

I suppose it would be like to old days when many mothers died in childbirth.

Horrible thought!

[Lakitu]

Hi Sally :)

I know it's a horrible thought, but why did they die?

[888sally888]

Morning you!!

I expect exhaustion and/or high blood pressure. The baby would die from lack of oxygen.

[Lakitu]

Oh OK, now I know very little about pregnancy so please excuse my dumb questions here, but doesn't the umbillical cord provide the oxygen?

Also, why does the baby just not come out when it's due?

[888sally888]

well yes it does, but if the mother dies, the oxygen supply to the baby would cease and it would die.

Most problems in the past were due to babies being in the breach position.

[Lakitu]

Thank you Sally :) x

My nephew's head is engaged and he's ready to get going, but he's not. Is there a particular reason for this or is he just being a lazy bum?

[4getmenot]

how far overdue is she? You ask redcrx how long it took for my nephew to come

[Lakitu]

She was due yesterday, so not really overdue at all, but I find it strange that his head was engaged as of last last Thursday and she's been having contractions since last Friday, yet he's still not coming out.

My question about being induced was just a general wondering.

[4getmenot]

my sis was 18 days over.

[Lakitu]

OMG!! I can't possibly wait that long!

[4getmenot]

yer think how redcrx felt :-)

[Lakitu]

That's nearly 3 weeks!!! Poor Red :( LOL

I'm going to google what can start her off.

[4getmenot]

nothing, if it were that easy red would have found a solution

[Lakitu]

What if I lay her on her back, jump in the air and land jabbing my elbow on her tummy so he comes shooting out?

(kidding!)

[andrea81]

The placenta has a 'shelf life' (for want of better words!)

The placenta would stop being efficient and the baby would be at risk, they wouldn't let her go too much over due as it isn't good for mum or baby overdue!

[4getmenot]

Maybe lol. Do you have the feeling its just me and you on here this morning :-)

[Lakitu]

Thank you Andrea!

Yes, I was just thinking that as I was answering you in the morning thread LOL

[taichiperson]

My first was 10 days late and was fine. I was convinced he was going to be a week late anyway (didn't believe the doc's estimate). He did look overdue, his skin was a little wrinkly and he had really long fingernails!

[Lakitu]

Awwww, bless he little heart

[redcrx]

17 days 4get, not 18, but that was a long wait.

you dont have to be induced, you can defy medical opinion and chhose to wait for nature to take its course but that can be a high risk.

As andrea said, the placenta will start to fail when seriously overdue and baby can then suffer, it will lose weight at the very leats if not getting the right nutrition. Placentas can fail at any time during pregnancy, not just when overdue.