41 + 3 no baby!! :(

[Christa88]

So I'm now 10 days past my due date, and i am so fed up.
From 39 weeks I've been using clary sage oil and lavender in the bath and massage to relax me. Taking walks. Keeping active. Tried reflexology. Drinking raspberry leaf tea for 6 weeks.
I have brackston hicks every day and have had contractions that feel like labour but just seem to stop! I've had a bloody show 3 days ago. I'm 2cm dialated and 75% effaced.
This is my second baby and my first was also 10 days over. But I seem to have so many signs but no labour!!!
I'm being induced on Tuesday but does anyone have any ideas on how else I can get things started at home? Or any experience of induction they would like to share?
Thanks :)

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

I can't really help but I was the same. Loads more signs second time. Mine were +8 and then +9 so maybe tomorrow is your lucky day.

[alicebear]

My first was +18. Tried everything & was eventually induced. Induction was fine. Very quick first stage & no need for ARM or the drip.
It won't be long for you now. Good luck.

[Christa88]

Alicebear, how come they left you so late before inducing you? Was that down to your choice? I'm Seriously considering delaying my induction despite how fed up I am just to give him some extra cooking time.. May just need a little longer?
Penguinseatspinach - I really hope tomorrow is my day, my first came the day before my induction was booked so fingers crossed!!!!

[CountBapula]

I feel your pain. I'm 41+4 with DC2.

There are a few of us overdue on this thread if you fancy a moan/bit of hand-holding.

[Pooka]

Sex might help get things going?

Did with dc2...

[charliechalk08]

I declined the sweep and was unsure about induction, DS arrived on his own at exactly 42 weeks! No medical intervention to start labour. I didn't want to be poked and prodded around! Just let nature do its thing :-)

[TheScience]

Babies come when they're ready! You're not actually post-term until 42 weeks, so you could always go for "expectant monitoring" until then? Both of mine were 6 days late, and all my female relatives' babies seem to have ranged between +1 and +21 (!).

[MyNameIsKenAdams]

Get some music on and dance. Get wiggling and shaking. Thatll sort it.

[alicebear]

Yes it was my choice to postpone induction. I was offered it at t+10 but instead chose expectant monitoring each day either having a ctg & scan to check fluid levels or seeing my midwife. I was 3cm at a sweep 2 days before my induction. I do feel my labour was probably far easier than it might have been if I'd been induced a week earlier but obviously will never know that for certain. I just decided how far I felt happy to wait balancing the risks of induction vs risks of post term baby. I also have a family history of longer than average gestation. I think dc1 probably benefitted from an extra week of 'cooking' & I felt fine - which made postponing induction an easier decision.
You have to do what feels right to you. Best of luck. Fingers crossed labour kicks off soon naturally.

[mewkins]

Could try a really long walk?

[Gen35]

Ah it sucks. Get some rest, if you do get induced it can be a little lengthier than going into labour.

[SwimmingMom]

I had a cup of castor oil when I was a week overdue with DC1. Waters broke 30 mins after & DD was born in 5 hours vaginal hi-speed labour.

I'd recommend it, didn't even need an enema. Everything possible was flushed out including baby!

[imisssleepandwine]

I second SwimmingMon - caster oil did it for me. Went to the loo twice then got a show and labour kicked off.

Take a cup of caster oil and dance (close to the loo) and let us all know how you get one. Good luck x

[weebigmamma]

Nothing at all worked for me and I tried the lot! Was induced by pessary. they said it wouldn't work first time but I went straight into labour and had my baby 8 hours later hooray! :-)

[Jolleigh]

As in drink a cup of castor oil?! Can that be done without heaving then? Not quite overdue yet but I will be after mid week and it's like for every day that passes I gain a new symptom of some kind.

[Christa88]

So last night wasn't my night :( but today going for a relaxing lunch with my mum and daughter and have resigned myself to the fact I'm being induced tomorrow. No idea what to expect as I just didn't really research this at all. Hoping I can stick with my plan of no pain relief but hearing some horror stories about induction!!!

[thecakeisalie]

I'm surprised to see people recommending castor oil. I was under the impression its not advisable as it can encourage the baby to pass meconium?

[SpringBreak]

what about hoovering? I got to 41+4 and I swear it was the hoovering that finally got things going! I went for monitoring and had a sweep or two, very much didnt' want induction and was relieved not to have it.

[Christa88]

I thought it wasn't advisable because it's simply so unpleasant!!! But castor oil or anything that's gonna make my tummy upset pineapple curry etc is not for me. When my daughter was born (t+10) she still had vernix on her so maybe this boy just needs cooking longer I would love to decline the induction in favour of expectant monitoring but I live 45 mins from the hospital and with a 24 month old day to day trips that far just to do a few obs seems like such a ballache...

[Christa88]

I've had the hetty out every day!! Scrubbed all the floors.. Sex, (which I bled after :() long walks. Complete relaxation. Nipple stimulation. Bouncing on the gym ball. Hot baths. I think I've done everything? Stairs. Just none of the tummy related stuff

[SwimmingMom]

Castor oil is a bit difficult to drink, but once it's down, it doesn't make you nauseous or ill. Just gives you some loose motions, but nothing too unpleasant. Baby didn't pass meconium either. I'll definitely be using it next time round.