I'm 5 days overdue! Please help!

[Keenoonvino]

I went 2 weeks overdue with my first and had a horrible induced birth that I am desperate to avoid this time round.

I am currently 5 days overdue. I am not going to agree to any sort of induction until 2 weeks overdue...

I know about all the pineapple, raspberry leaf tea, sex etc to get things going, but does any of that actually work?! I had a stretch and sweep yesterday and the midwife said although I'm about 1 cm my cervix is still quite high and she doesn't think I am imminent. :( However, I've been having mild cramping for the last 3 days, and some sharp stabbing pains. I don't remember feeling anything at all when pregnant with my first.

Please can someone make me feel better?! I'm feeling quite down in the dumps right now!

[Keenoonvino]

Oh and I have had a small amount of gel-like discharge, which I assume is part of my "show", none of which I got last time...

[bronya]

I can't help, but can sympathise! I've had ouchy period-like pains for two and a half weeks now, with the associated lack of sleep, sick feelings, frequent toilet trips etc. Also had a medical, induced birth the first time and would like to labour naturally this time. Fingers crossed!!!

[ruth1104]

me toooo! So no i obviously dont have any actual answer, but i can sympathise.. Im very anxious about having to be induced, not least because it means leaving my (close by) lovely mlu to go to hospital 35 miles away (which has a terrible reputation atm). Im trying to stay active but the amount of time my back pain allows me to sit or stand gets shorter by the day watching with bated breath!

[Keenoonvino]

oh no :( sorry to hear others are in same boat! I think my post was driven by desperation to hear someone say, "ooohhhh, ignore your midwife, you do sound close!!" haha.

[redexpat]

There was a discussion on hee about acupuncture as a way to get things going. Worth a try?

[Bexleymum]

I was ten days over and had a sweep and dd2 arrived almost exactly 12hrs later. I can suggest having your car breakdown and childcare fall through as a way of speeding things up.

[eltsihT]

My ds 1 was 15 days over and induced,

Ds2 I went in to be induced at 10 days over. They wouldn't do a sweep as he wasn't even engaged.

In the hospital I was strapped to the machines, to be told I was already in labour and 4cm dilated (I didn't notice I had just been feeling crampy. In the end they just broke my waters ( at 3.30, had been in since 10) and ds was born an hour later.

I had been dreading being induced again but it was actually ok.

[callamia]

I walked and walked and walked, had two sweeps and a session of acupuncture. I can't tell you what finally did it for me, but the acupuncture made me feel amazing - actually relaxed and calm. Things sound hopeful for you though. Good luck!

[Bellyrub1980]

I think you do sound close! At least you're getting all the symptoms I am and people keep telling me I'm close. But this is my first, so what do I know!!

I'm walking A LOT, giving myself SPD which is making it impossible to sleep but I keep thinking 'tonight's the night!!'

and then it isn't

[duvetfan]

Keen I am also 5 days over and really need this baby out. walking and sex are out as I have spd. Good luck and keep us informed. Nice to know we aren't alone.

[Keenoonvino]

Duvet, my husband won't go near me so seems like sex is out for me too! The sooner these babies are born, the better, hey?!

[duvetfan]

Yeah even if I didn't have spd convincing my dh would be difficult. I have an appointment this morning but if the baby isn't engaged they won't do a sweep. they said they will book my induction today. I wanted to avoid that but now don't care. This baby needs to get the hell out. How are you doing today. ps I am on my phone so can't check back on other posters.

[Keenoonvino]

Hey Duvet well, I'm still pregnant, so much the same really! I've got another sweep tomorrow and I may consider booking some acupuncture for Monday if nothing has happened (and I can find someone round here!)

How did your appt go? Was baby engaged?

[MissBlennerhasset]

Sex is probably the only way. The gel they give you at the beginning of induction is a "synthetic version of semen", according to my mw anyway! Sex twice a day!

[Bolshybookworm]

I'm afraid nothing helped me, Keeno (did lots of walking, cleaning on hands and knees etc, no Dtd as I felt gross and it didn't work first time around!). BUT my induced (second) birth was easy and straightforward. When I went in for my induction, they only needed to break my waters and the rest was plain sailing (although I still got my epidural ). So try not to stress, if baby comes naturally- great! If not, the chances are your induction will not be the nightmare it was before.

[Bolshybookworm]

If you manage sex twice a day whilst overdue, I am very impressed. I think my hips would have died (not to mention my husband- I'd have flattened him!).

[ilovechops]

I feel for you....I was 13 days over with my DD and it drove me mental.

I did all of what you have tried plus Reflexology and Acupuncture. I dont think either worked but they felt nice.

The two things I DO think worked are walking A LOT and then my midwife told me to have 2 (YES 2!) glasses of wine one evening. I looked at her in disbelief but she told me I needed to relax. That night I went out for dinner (12 days over) with friends and drank a glass of red wine (that was enough!) i had fun and relaxed and briefly forgot about obsessing about being pregnant. And in the restaurant I started with mild contractions.

I didn't really drink at all during that pregnancy and haven't this time either but i assure you I WILL be having a glass of red wine if I go 12 days over again as I am convinced it did the trick and relaxed me.

[ilovechops]

We also tried sex and it didn't help I don't think but who knows maybe it did. It felt a bit weird though as I was only doing it to get the baby out and DH knew that!!!

[Keenoonvino]

my husband is not a machine as he keeps telling me, and says he can't perform on demand like that!

i went on a walk today, and didn't sit down until lunch time but haven't felt anything :( so despondent!

thanks bolshy, i guess having another induction doesn't have to be hideous. I just really wanted to do it naturally ...

[cheesecakemom]

No answers here, just wanted to wish you well. Hope it happens soon!

[Bolshybookworm]

Yeah, me too Keeno, but I guess my womb is just too comfy! Neither of my DC were particularly keen on coming out of it

I'm so, so jealous of people who don't go overdue, the waiting drove me mad both times.

[duvetfan]

Hi keen. my appointment was ok. Baby is 4/5 engaged but attempt at a sweep failed as my cervix is posterior. induction booked for next Thursday. I can't wait that long. I can't do the long walk thing as I am so uncomfortable. My mil came with me and the midwife started recommending sex. A bit by that. Any news your end (excuse the pun). any of you other lovely ladies having any luck?

[Keenoonvino]

Oh duvet I can't imagine taking my mil to a sweep!! :) had another sweep today, am 2 cm so a bit of progress... Still not holding my breath. Will be running
Clary sage oil on my bump tonight whilst trying to seduce my husband

[Bolshybookworm]

Sounds like things should get moving soon! If you're 2 cm, then they'll probably just break your waters if you do need inducing- no faffing about with gels! It worked pretty well for me.

[duvetfan]

I didn't think that they would be able to do one hence taking my mil...at least there are curtains . that's great that you are 2 cm. I am no where near being ready. I hope you go soon. It's bloody frustrating isn't it? keep us updated. keeping my fingers crossed for you. I can't have another sweep so straight to induction for me on Thursday if I haven't gone before then.