Anyone gone past 42 weeks, avoided induction and laboured naturally? Please tell me your story

[OldieButGoldie]

I am now at 42+1 weeks and fighting the induction battle. I went in to hospital to be induced on Sunday at 40+13 against my better judgement. I think I was hoping that by the time I got to my date for induction I would either have gone into labour naturally, or at least my body would be more ready for labour and it would only take the prostin gel to get things going. As it turned out neither of these things happened and I still had a Bishops Score of 0.

I was put on a monitor to do a trace on the baby's heart before the gel was administerd and I ended up on it continuously for 5 hours They told me they were having trouble interpreting the trace and under the circumstances wouldnt give me the gel. The registrar then asked to examine me to see if they could rupture my membranes without a pessary. It was extremely painful and apparently my cervix was still closed and >2cms. I guess they actually put their finger into the closed cervix to determine this? I tell you, it wont be happening again, I still feel bruised internally 2 days later. Needless to say the membranes couldn't be ruptured.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I went home at 1.10a.m. when it was finally decided that actually the baby was fine. I went to daycare the next day and they did another trace, said it was absolutely fine and that as far as they were concerned so was the one from the night before and they didn't know what all the fuss was about. I saw my consultant and she put pressure on me to go back today and start the induction again. I said I knew my body was still 'unfavourable' for this (cervix posterior, closed, >2cms, babys head at station -3) and that it would be likely that I would end up on a drip and being monitored continuously. She nodded.

I feel in my heart that everything is ok and that I should hold out. I dont like the thought of the process for myself but moreover I dont feel it is right for my baby. As someone wrote on here somewhere I feel like he will be getting blasted out with dynamite. So many women seem to go well past their due date, I find it hard to believe it is as dangerous as they make out. Any statistics I've read still make the risks very low.

If you held out past 42 weeks and went into labour by yourself, please tell me your story. Or did you go past 42 weeks and still end up with induction?

TIA

[lacarete]

long story short - yes! dd was born at 43 weeks. I had a sweep booked in and knew once date was set things would happen naturally, and they did. babes asleep so not long to write but I hadn't had complications and the hospital seemed in no hurry to induce - I asked for the sweep date in fact.

dd was born with membranes intact (apparently sign of good luck!).

I was pretty fed up with being preggers by that point though - sure you are too! good luck

[Ecmo]

went past 42 weeks with 3 of mine. Was induced with dd1 and then refused to be induced with others and had homebirths. However my monthly cycle is 35days so I would have conceived a week later than was estimated by doctors as they work dates out by a 28 day cycle. I explained this to them as I really didnt want to be induced again.

[jellies]

I went past 42 weeks with DS no1 planned induction at 42+3 he was so big I ended up in section 3 days later failing to progress, what nobody realised was he was too big to press down into the pelvis any further to actually start the labour!

[Klaw]

I had my VBAC at 42+1 scan edd as I refused induction and arranged for Expectant Management instead. I did have the fact that my lmp edd was 9 days later to help argue my case, tho.

At 41+5 they could barely reach my cervix let alone do a sweep and then at 42wks I was 2cm with Bishops Score of 8, so things can change quite fast!

If you and baby are both fine at Expectant Management appts then go home, relax, stay warm, eat and drink regular, get dh to give you a massage, watch a good comedy and laugh hard, soak in the bath, have a glass of wine, eat some comfort food, get plenty of rest, have a boyuant swim, and don't answer the phone!

Stay strong

[Lulumama]

i am absolutely delighted you were not forced into an induction with a bishops score of 0

that is marvellous...

as Klaw has said, a lot can cahnge in 48 hours, and if baby is happy, and you are happy, then wait for mother nature.

there is one other mumsnetter, called Kittywise, who has had 6 hcildren, and IIRC, goes to 43 weeks each time

[OldieButGoldie]

Lulumama - I really had to fight to get out of the hospital that night, like I said it was 1.10 a.m. before I was unstrapped from the monitor and allowed to leave, they were determined to proceed and the registrar said to me that after 42 weeks there is a high risk of the baby dying. It was only because I know this to be untrue, that infact there is an increased risk but it is still quite a low risk, that I had the guts to leave.

Klaw - I like your approach to waiting, especially the comfort food and not answering the phone. I have just returned home with 12 cream eggs! (well, they were on offer)

pleased to hear Bishops Score can change quite quickly.

Was beginning to wonder if babys head too big for my pelvis. He's been head down and slightly engaged for yonks but made no further progress. Scan 11 days ago estimated weight at 4.01kg (8lb 8oz) which doesnt seem all that big, but who knows.

[Tangle]

I only got to 41+3, so can't realy comment on holding out. I did find this poem quiet comforting, though - have you seen it?

My baby's not a library book,
so she's not overdue.
My baby don't take long to cook,
coz she's not veggie stew.

My baby's not an elephant,
and I'm not fit to burst.
The time and date aren't relevant,
we're blessed with days, not cursed.

My baby can't read dates as yet,
because she's very new.
So there's no cause to fuss and fret,
if she don't come on cue.

So stop your worry,
stop your asking,
there's no hurry
we're relaxing
in this golden pregnant time,
this pause, which is just hers and mine.

You leave us be, we are just fine.

©Rachel P (Wales)

[Klaw]

Don't eat too many, a huge sugar rush will NOT be good for baby, but a little of what you fancy...

Definitely get yourself pampered, feel safe and warm and then baby will feel encouraged to come.

I managed to save some info on Ten Month Mamas here and it talks about too much sugar, not intended to scare you, just warn you, OK? Have a lovely relaxing warm evening with an early night

[maxbear]

Oldiebutgoldie, I am a midwife and would always support women in their choice whatever it may be, as long as they have the full info. I personally see nothing wrong in going past 42 weeks if all is well in the pregnancy. But please do be aware that the rate of still birth is higher in women who are over 40.

You will probably be fine, I do believe in a mothers intuition and personally followed it against medical advise when I had mine (homebirth with second, gbs swabs in first preg)

I found this website which was interesting reading.www.mothers35plus.co.uk/intro.htm

Really hope that you go in to labour soon, and please do not feel offended that I have posted this.

[glitterkitty]

I wasnt pressured too much by my consultant, but did agree to an induction- the thought of which scared the hell out of me. 3 days before I was due to be induced (I was 42 weeks then) I forced myself upon dp, and it did actually work- I went naturally into labour the next day.

The sex was pretty grim though.

Well done you for sticking to your guns. I wasnt that well informed and would have just gone along with what I was told to do. I am very admiring!

[raye123]

I went to 43+3 with my first (and currently only!) baby. It was really hard to hold out and the hospital tried in turns to bully and terrify me into being induced. However, I had brilliant midwives who were so supportive and gave me the strength to keep going. I eventually went into labour naturally having tried every trick in the book to get the baby moving! I had an incredibly easy delivery in the pool at home, just as I had hoped. I am convinced my daughter was calmer, happier and healthier for being allowed to come in her own time! Stick with it - it's worth waiting for! Good Luck.

[soph28]

I have had 2 dc and pg with 3rd (always late).

What exactly is Bishop's score? I've never heard of it and I was induced with dc2 at 40+12days.

[OldieButGoldie]

Darn, so I have to leave the creme eggs and go back on the brocolli. Maybe I should have gone through with the induction after all

Soph, not sure how to do a link, but if you google it or search on here you will find out about Bishops score.

Everyone else, thanks, great useful info as usual

[LaidbackinEngland]

Hi goldie - was in exactly the same situation as you last year, trusted my instincts.... refused induction...Had acupuncture at 41 + 6 which seemed to help. DS3 born at home 42 +2 in 45 mins from first contraction until birth.

[susie100]

Well done for holding out. I was desperate to meet my daughter in the end but held out for a homebirth. Some babies take longer, 40 weeks in an AVERAGE so by definition some will be born after that. In France they calculate due dates as 41 weeks so it is all very subjective!
I really like this article written by some very experienced midwives.
I personally would refuse induction unless it was for a medical reason and just continue monitoring the baby. I personally believe no good comes in intefering with the system - the csection rate after induction at my local hosital is 50%, says it all really!!

For my next baby I am not going to tell anyone my 'due date' and just tell people the baby is coming some time early to mid april for example. Turn your phone off and try and plan one exciting thing to do every day.

Good luck, keep us posted!!
www.kentmidwiferypractice.co.uk/2006/induction.htm

[susie100]

I love that poem by the way Tangle!

[Klaw]

Soph28 bishops score

[Walkthedinosaur]

DS1's birth was very traumatic so I can't really remember all the facts, but I was due to be induced at 42 weeks exactly, unfortunately the hospital was busy so I had to wait until 42 plus 3. Induction was carried out and about 5 hours into labour DS1's heart started to drop with every contraction, I remember it would go way down to something like 27 during the contraction and then once contraction finished would slowly (or so it felt to me) make it's way back up, this went on for well over 12 hours until the heartbeat stopped in a contraction and took too long to restart and eventually an emergency section was carried out. Somewhere in the daze afterwards I remember the consultant uttering something along the lines of baby being big and late and placenta deteriorating and therefore unable to support the baby in the midst of the contraction. Like I say, I was completely dazed afterwards and never pursued it, so I can't say for sure, but I do know that with DS2 they ensured he arrived a week early. So sometimes maybe please don't completely disregard the idea of an induction because I think it's proposed for perfectly valid reasons, the best thing I suppose is to discuss it all with your midwife. Good luck with your birth and whatever route you pursue you'll very shortly be holding a beautiful baby in your arms.

By the way DS1 is a perfectly happy and thriving 51/2 year old he just chose to arrive into the world with a bit of a drama.

[Klaw]

I'm not sure I get it either, but it gave me confidence to wait it out...

Perhaps in circumstances where there is a valid medical reason to get baby out quickly it is useful in aiding decision between induction and CS.

[susie100]

I think the point is that unless your body is about to go in to labour shortly induction is more likely to fail you can't force it into labour as easily?

So if you have cholisis (spelling?) for example where your liver basically can't cope with a pregnancy anymore they need to get the baby out - they can induce you with a high bishops score but if not they have to give youa c section.

Walkthedinosaur - glad to hear all was well in the end - it could of course have been the induction that stressed the baby? I suppose we never realyl know and have to make informed decisions as best we can and live with the consequences!

[tomps]

I very much don't want to scare or upset anybody here, but since you asked, and in the interests of providing information to help women make informed decisions ... when I was pregnant 3 years ago I was determined not to be induced in any way (not really allowed anyway as dd 3 years previously was emergency cc) and at 40 weeks it felt like everything was getting going. At 42 weeks I was still holding out for spontaneous labour, definitely felt like I was in 'pre-labour' - spent all night awake with strong braxton hicks / gentle contractions. Went for acupuncture the next day, baby's heartbeat strong and moving well. Later that day or the next day - for no obvious reason, baby's heartbeat stopped, I noticed he wasn't moving anymore and he was stillborn the next day. I will never forget the consultant who warned me that the risk of stillbirth rises dramatically after 40 weeks - I thought he was 'just trying to scare me', but unfortunately on this occasion he was right. I'm sure a 42 week gestation is perfectly normal for many women (myself included) and we shouldn't all be rushing to be induced at 40 weeks, I just wanted to share my experience because unfortunately shit sometimes does very much happen. Wishing you all the very best with your baby OBG, sure you'll be absoultely fine. Maybe no post = you're busy delivering right now ?!