Not really sure what I want to get out of this, just to rant probably... I'm 40+5 today with DC1, and am getting pressure to book an induction which I don't want. I've been practising hypnobirthing and ideally would like a waterbirth in the local midwife-led unit with as few drugs as possible, in order to give my child what I consider to be a peaceful entrance to the world, a good start, and to enable myself to feel in control (have had significant issues since a teenager with depression, lack of control and feelings of inadequacy). I accept that if the baby shows signs of distress, this goes out the window and really the most important thing is that he arrives safely.
DH and I tried for 2 years to conceive this child, with 2 miscarriages along the way and infertility issues on my side (very irregular periods, little ovulation) and finally succeeded. My body doesn't seem great at doing things to schedule, so I'm not surprised to be overdue and have always expected it- was just not really prepared enough for the mental impact. At a hospital appointment today induction was heavily pushed for 40+12 with a very one-sided view presented; risk of stillbirth increased etc. I don't really want to be induced due to increased likelihood of cascade of interventions, impact on baby etc, and I've felt all along that nature knows best and baby will arrive when he's ready; so requested monitoring instead if I get that far, hospital agreed with poor grace, but DH now seems to feel I've made the wrong decision and tells me that 'we' need to think about my decision again this time next week.
I've felt pretty unsupported this last 9 months; although he's been dragged along to NCT, he just refuses to put effort into understanding why I've arrived at my preferences (I'm not very articulate so eg have asked him to read the intro to hypnobirthing, and my birth plan, which hasn't been done) and was shocked when I told him I needed him to be my birth partner- he expected to be in the waiting room, waiting to be presented with a clean baby and a cigar. Frankly I feel like it's a bloody cheek to step in at the 11th hour with opinions when I feel I've spent the last 9 months obsessing about this pregnancy and its risks essentially alone.
Being stressed and utterly miserable is unlikely to produce circumstances conducive to naturally going into labour, so I'm creating a self-fulfilling prophecy, aren't I?
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Childbirth
Overdue
monkerina · 23/02/2016 21:30
Just in case anyone would like an update- despite the stress, I went into labour naturally late on Weds, gave birth in the midwife-led unit's pool with no drugs 10 hours after first contractions, and he's gorgeous 
obv no time to get doula, but DH did everything I needed so all was well! Thanks all for your support, it was invaluable x
Ahh wow! Congratulations!! He is beautiful and you look amazing after just giving birth . 
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