40+6 - is this baby ever going to come?

[emmyloo2]

Hi all,

I am 40+6 weeks with my first baby. I know most first babies are late but I am starting to get despondent about the whole thing. I had a feeling the baby would be late but not this late. I feel like it is now never going to happen.

I had a sweep on Tuesday and the midwife said I was 1cm dilated and she was able to perform the sweep. However, she said the cervix is still quite high so basically was 50:50 chance whether the sweep would work. 2 days later, still no labour. I have had significantly more period type cramps over the last few days and have had red/brown discharge (sorry TMI) since the sweep which I am assume is part of the mucus plug. But its not much. Just a little bit of discharge.

The period pain type cramps come and go with no regularity.

I can have another sweep over the weekend if I want (which I will) otherwise i am booked to be induced next Wednesday which I never thought would have to happen, so I am starting to panic.

Any advice on coping with the uncertainty and fear of induction?

Thanks!

[GeorgeWBush]

it all sounds like it's about to kick off...

sex tipped me over the edge into full blown labour with DC3, give that go if you feel up to it!

[grinningbee]

Emmyloo it's so frustrating, isn't it. I went 40+9 with my first (a sweep did the trick, but a very long labour followed) and I am now 40+5 with my second. Not even being offered a sweep this time!

I think the best thing to try and do, is just to carry on pootling around as normal. Harder to do than say though, as I know only too well.

My midwife suggested "pineapple and passion".

Try distracting yourself as much as possible.

As my MIL said the first time around "what goes up must come down" What a lovely turn of phrase!!!

[carlyvita]

I personally would avoid induction like the plague. I'd also remember that 38-42 weeks is term. Some women just cook 'em longer. Distractions distractions.... All babies come eventually!

[katiepotatie]

DD was 5 days late and DS was 11 days late, even with 2 sweeps that didn't work. It's a horrible waiting game I know, especially when everyone starts phoning and texting to see if anything is happening. Enjoy this free time, you'll be busy soon enough

[Showaddywaddy]

One, you're not late. 37-42 weeks is normal. I wish they'd do away with this 40wk due date, it just causes people to feel panicky post 40 weeks. In France I believe they give you a 41wk due date which is marginally better.

Two, nobody can force you into an induction. It's a choice you make.

Congratulations. I know it feels interminable but it's only a matter of days, you've been pregnant for the best part of a year.

Do what you want, eat what you want, live as selfishly as you can. I promise your baby will be here so soon. God it's nearly Christmas and that's ages away compared to this.

[Goldrill]

I'm 40+7 today. Don't know this will be any help at all, but I pretty much ignored the due date from about a month ago. Given how many people go over date it seemed unlikely she'd be here then but I am fairly confident she'll be here by or near to 42 weeks so am using that instead - earlier would be a bonus but am making sure I have plenty of stuff to do up to the final date. (and then, if she's not here at 42 weeks I shall have a very large strop!)
Agree with previous posters: I can't think of many other examples of biological systems where everyone would panic if the result was 5% out.
Hope your waiting ends soon anyway!

[AliGrylls]

I am 40+3 with DC2. Was induced with first baby. Trying to have natural with this one.

With this one I am trying to think it will now be 2 weeks overdue that way if it comes earlier I will be pleasantly surprised.

The other thing is that induction is not so bad if kicks off with just one pessary (which I am sure would happen in your case, given your circumstances).

Try not to think about it too much and assume it will come out eventually.

[emmyloo2]

Thanks everyone. I am trying to stay relaxed about it all. It's just everyone keeps asking what ishappening as if I have any more of an idea when the baby will arrive than they do. Or like I can actually do anything about it!

I will keep on pottering around and keeping myself busy and just assume he won't arrive until mid-next week sometime. I think that helps rather than thinking every night, maybe tonight will be the night I wake up in labour!!

Thanks again.

[ki28]

im 40 weeeks with 3rd and no signs as yet. Considering my other two came at 37wks. and was expecting this on to do the same. but think it shows babies come wen ready.x

[whoodoo]

40+9 is the average for a first baby. hang in there - I know the wait is dreadful. Try come sex if you can - rather have human sperm than pig sperm as a way of inducing you. Worked for me 2 out of 3 times .

[nonanny]

Had two inductions, both different and understand the fear but really they are not so bad if you are nearly there and overdue as you probably will only need a gentle induction. Also with the induction they take one step at a time. take something with you to do so you don't get despondent waiting. They can get you in hospital early then not do anything for hours and hours. But once you are in and started on process you can't go home again.
Good luck

[emmyloo2]

Thanks nonannny. I am starting to feel calmer about the possibility of induction. By then, I would surely be very close because it would be 8 days after the first sweep where I was already 1cm dilated.

I am having a second sweep on Sunday.

Will try sex. Have tried it already without luck but off for a curry tonight and will follow it up with some action. My husband will be more than willing, I am sure!!

[nonanny]

Any luck yet? I guess if you don't answer maybe thats a yes... let us know when you can.

[Mozismyhero]

emmalou2, are you me? I'm in the same position as you, 40+7 with first baby. Also had 'attempted sweep' on Tuesday but was not dilated at all so she couldn't do it; trying again on Sunday and if no joy then, induction it shall be I think. I am having no signs of anything happening except a bit of loss of mucous plug. Know up to 42 weeks is normal but am so fed up and uncomfortable now. Come one Little One!

[emmyloo2]

Hi there. Yep still here and still waiting. I actually think the "signs" I was having have reduced if that's possible. I reckon I am going backwards now! I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow at my sweep she says I am now not dilated at all.

It's weird but I have now started to think this baby is actually never going to come....like never.

I am starting to come to terms with the possibility of induction and that this will be ok. Some people seems to have an ok induction and to be honest, by Wednesday I think I will be ok with anything just to have the baby arrive.

Mozismyhero - I am you! It's so disheartening isn't it? Every night I wonder whether I will wake up in the middle of the night in labour, but sadly no. I just wake up at 5am unable to sleep

Come on Little One indeed! I will let you know how my sweep goes tomorrow but tbh I am not holding out much hope it will work...

[nonanny]

Loss of bit of mucous plug is very positive sign Mozismyhero!

[Mozismyhero]

Thanks for the encouragement nonanny! It has been happening for about a week now without progressing onto anything else - is this normal?

emmylou - I'm the same. Each day think, 'today could be it' and in the evening slump because once again, nothing has happened! And yes, I am starting to feel like I may be pregnant forever.

Also, I know my lovely family and friends are excited for us but please stop asking if I've had any twinges! Just have to keep smiling and saying 'no, nothing yet'. Starting to feel like I'm letting people down now.

[merryberry]

i am so thrilled for you being near delivery. best excitement/trepidation on the planet as far as i know. But being keyed up may not help things along...my example below...

my 1st was induced on due date because they thought my bp was going up. i had nearly 72 hours going from 1st pessary through syntocin and epidural to delivery. I really didn't enjoy coping with the changes in staffing shifts and the wearines and strangeness of labouring away from home but the interventions, labour and the delivery itself were all fine, no forceps, no cutting, no ventouse etc.

my second was i think 40+11 maybe 40+9. i was booked in for induction the morning he was born, because i was getting so tired having had 3 days no sleep. he was a really really big baby and the sheer size of him was stopping me sleeping (think feet in throat type sensation).

now the interesting thing here is that i was gunning for a home water birth and getting so despondent about waiting and worrying about not having that. had a long talk with MW about hospital induction offer and just gave up on all the worry and gave up o hopes of what i wanted actually happening.

I remember standing having a long soft weep about things looking out of our top window. When that was done i felt very very zen about things, what will be will be etc and put myself back to bed to try and rest more. Driven out of bed an hour late by startling ravenous hunger. And in labour an hour after I ate.

I still feel that just letting go of all tension about it all kicked things off. hope this helps somehow. good luck

[emmyloo2]

Mozis - I have had a little bit of loss of mucus plug after my first sweep as well but then that stopped after a couple of days and now nothing. So that's why I feel like I am going backwards.

And yes, friends and family actually do make it harder. I am not from the UK and my Mum is here and she is relaxed but my Dad who is back home asks every day when he is getting a grandson. As if I am deliberately not going into labour. Everyone keeps asking him when I am having the baby. People don't realise that it actually makes you start to think something is wrong with either you or the baby for being overdue.

My friend from work confirmed for me today she was 11 days overdue with her first which made me feel better. She was due to be induced day 12 and went into labour day 11.

Good luck for tomorrow's sweep!

[nonanny]

With one of mine I had loss of mucus plug and 10 days later had baby...but we are all different. The pressure is awful - perhaps don't answer the phone . Nothing is wrong with you. make sure you get checked regularly and that the baby is active still although not much space left...

[Mozismyhero]

Yes, emmylou, that's it - as if you are doing something wrong. I keep having to remind myself that people are only asking because they love you and want to share in this special occasion.

Merryberry - MW has said that mine is big (above 9lbs) and long so I am running out of room and finding it so difficult to get to sleep. DH tries his best but he's working so has to sleep - can't sit up with me all night. Sitting up just makes it worse though, too much time on my own to think. As you've written, think I need to let go, think that whatever happens the LO will come out at some point next week and stop stressing about it.

My sister (who has a 8mo) tells me to enjoy the 'me' time now as there won't be much of it after!

Good luck for tomorrow for you too!

[emmyloo2]

Well had another sweep this morning and there doesn't appear to have been a great deal of progress since Tuesday which was as I expected so I suspect this sweep will not do much either.

So it's back to the waiting game and counting down until Wednesday when I go in to be induced. The MW today was very kind and explained the process of induction and that it is a step-by-step process so depending on where I am at, it will depend on what is required.

So now focused on getting through the next few days and keeping myself entertained and busy to make time go more quickly. It's very difficult though!!

Mozis - how are you doing?

[Mozismyhero]

I was 2cm dilated so MW was able to do sweep. Think it may have kicked started something too as have been pain started about an hour after she left.

Fingers crossed! Off for a bath!

[emmyloo2]

Mozis - sounds good!! Crossing my fingers it has started something for you. Keep us posted.

Nothing from this end apart from normal period pains....