Which is more dangerous? Going over due or not listening to the mother?
Today this story got me thinking
https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/17982980.mums-campaign-daughter-stillborn-42-weeks/
The story starts:
A MUM whose baby was stillborn has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of being overdue.
And tells the sad story of a mum who had a stillbirth at 41 weeks and mentions the mum did not know the "dangers" of going overdue. But the story also says :
“We had a few bouts of reduced movement and went to Colchester Hospital a few times but they kept picking up movement”
Now here is the thing and its important …. Just because the baby is moving does not mean it is well. Similarly, just because the baby has a heartbeat does not mean the baby is well.
This mum knew there was something different and “few bouts” suggests that she presented with concerns multiple times so , in my opinion, the danger was not so much going overdue as not being listened to.
My Daughter recently had her second baby. She was keen to have a VBAC and had a much better chance of achieving this if she went into natural labour. After 40 weeks, it would be fair to say, I was a little anxious about her risk of stillbirth BUT the thing that reassured me when I asked her about fetal movements was that she knew her baby's usual pattern and was confident she was well. AND she said things to me like "she is so active sometimes I think she has grown additional limbs"
So what is the botom line here?
If a mum is overdue and is confident that all is well then await labour BUT if the mum is overdue and has already presented multiple times concerned about her baby’s well-being then you are playing with fire to let her go overdue.
What is needed for this to happen?
The woman needs to be listened to and trusted. Yes maternity care providers can play their part and assess with CTG and ultrasound and blood tests which might even suggest that all is ok BUT if the mother isn’t reassured and happy to go home OR if she presents multiple times with concerns for heaven’s sake trust her and deliver her!
Today this story got me thinking
https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/17982980.mums-campaign-daughter-stillborn-42-weeks/
The story starts:
A MUM whose baby was stillborn has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of being overdue.
And tells the sad story of a mum who had a stillbirth at 41 weeks and mentions the mum did not know the "dangers" of going overdue. But the story also says :
“We had a few bouts of reduced movement and went to Colchester Hospital a few times but they kept picking up movement”
Now here is the thing and its important …. Just because the baby is moving does not mean it is well. Similarly, just because the baby has a heartbeat does not mean the baby is well.
This mum knew there was something different and “few bouts” suggests that she presented with concerns multiple times so , in my opinion, the danger was not so much going overdue as not being listened to.
My Daughter recently had her second baby. She was keen to have a VBAC and had a much better chance of achieving this if she went into natural labour. After 40 weeks, it would be fair to say, I was a little anxious about her risk of stillbirth BUT the thing that reassured me when I asked her about fetal movements was that she knew her baby's usual pattern and was confident she was well. AND she said things to me like "she is so active sometimes I think she has grown additional limbs"
So what is the botom line here?
If a mum is overdue and is confident that all is well then await labour BUT if the mum is overdue and has already presented multiple times concerned about her baby’s well-being then you are playing with fire to let her go overdue.
What is needed for this to happen?
The woman needs to be listened to and trusted. Yes maternity care providers can play their part and assess with CTG and ultrasound and blood tests which might even suggest that all is ok BUT if the mother isn’t reassured and happy to go home OR if she presents multiple times with concerns for heaven’s sake trust her and deliver her!
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