Induction at 40+13. Reassurance needed.

[rachyconks]

I'm currently a week overdue. Unprecedented. DD was born on her due date! Anyway, I've tried everything to get this baby moving, but nothing is happening. Had 2 sweeps, a slight show and plenty of Braxton's, but no baby yet.

As such, I'm booked for induction on Monday. Initially I was terrified, but I've got my head round it a bit now and have read some really positive induction stories on here which have helped. My main concern is being left to go almost two weeks past my due date with what is likely to be a 9.5lb baby. People keep telling me horror stories and insisting I should be going to the hospital to demand an earlier induction.

Should I? I would really like to go into labour myself, but not if I'm going to put the baby at risk. Movements are slowed, but still frequent. Baby was checked by midwife on Thursday and will be checked again this Thursday.

I think I'm probably being totally hormonal and irrational, but I have been lying awake worrying every night! Any advice or previous experiences are greatly appreciated.

[foolonthehill]

I have 4 children: DD1 Went into labour on due date, DS1 3.5 weeks early, DD2 2 weeks late, DD3 10 days later than due date. Every baby is different!

If your baby is moving and you are healthy then there is no need to panic, induction is OK but it is nicer to spend the first part of labour at home and by waiting (safely) you give yourself a higher chance of having that.

Trust your instincts and your advice. people in medical fields are cautions, we tend to be over careful rather than gung ho....everyone wants you and your baby to be ok.

Hope you can get some sleep....

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

People keep telling you horror stories just based on predicted size do you mean?

Or do you mean about going two weeks over?

[rachyconks]

Thanks fool. That's made me feel a bit better.

The horror stories are mostly based on going overdue and problems with the placenta and cord etc. I'm not overly worried about size. DD was almost 9lb.

[outtheothersidefinally]

I had a brilliant induction at 40+16 with an almost 10lb DD. 7 hours from drop going in, no pain relief for labour, was able to move despite monitoring. Glad I waited as body and baby were ready, and I'd been monitored so placenta/baby were grand. :-)

[Sorelip]

I was induced with DS1 at 40 + 12. Had the pessary which got labour going. I ended up having a section but only because DS wasn't positioned correctly. The induction itself was fine, just a bit boring.

[Sorelip]

DS1 was 9lb 9.5.

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I think that is just people liking to tell horror stories. ..

I have been consistently told through three pregnancies and two different nhs areas that there is no statistical sudden shift in risk and that modern best practice is that up to 42 weeks is perfectly fine absent other complications. Even after that additional monitoring is a genuine option. Both areas I have been in would have booked me in at +15.

[Gingeroo]

I was induced at 40 + 12. Yes, ended up with a c-section but DS was back to back and by that point it was 40 + 14 and I was exhausted. I did have an epidural but I put that down to his position rather than the fact that it was induction & they only put me on the drip in the last few hours as they thought the stronger contractions might help get him out. Up until that point I'd only had 1 pessary which got things going.

I wouldn't say the fact that I was induced made it a long and difficult birth. Just the way he was facing.

Like a pp says, it would have been nice to be at home in the early bits as I ended up being in hospital for 6 days.

Best of luck and don't worry!

[Gingeroo]

Oh, and I'd had a growth scan which suggested he was going to be 9.5lb but he was only 8lb!

[dellabob]

I was desperate for a natural labour and hung out til 40 + 19 and I decided I was fed up of waiting and booked myself in for induction. All good, monitored daily so was happy to keep hanging on. Eventually the double dose gel thing kick started it duper quick and DD born at 6 lb 14 no probs and glad I tried everything to hope for natural birth- and I mean everything
You'll be just fine

[snapple21]

I had my DS four weeks ago, first baby. I was desperate not to be induced so hung on until 40+14. I actually went into labour the morning the induction was booked for (it really does happen!) so I ended up just needing my waters breaking. After they broke things progressed very quickly, and I had him within around five hours and managed without the epidural - he was 9lb 1oz.

Another positive story for you - good luck

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

Was induced this week, albeit early at 37wks, and it was fine. 3hrs on the drip, able to move and labour on all fours, only needed g&a - but the mw assured me that it didn't have to be painful and there were plenty of options for pain relief so nothing to be scared of. I was terrified too, but it really was ok. Good luck!

[rachyconks]

Good news! I ended up going into labour on Thursday evening. Had a lovely water birth and delivered a baby boy at 6:24am on Friday morning. He is 9lb 10oz and a little boob monster.

Thanks for all your help & advice everyone.

[OrangeMochaFrappucino]

Congratulations!