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Will I go into labour? 42 weeks declining induction?

176 replies

Dontwantinduction · 28/08/2025 18:01

Hi everyone,

I am 42 weeks tomorrow and midwife has told me that I really need to consider an induction.

I’ve heard so many negative stories regarding inductions and really wanted it to all just start to happen! Question is… will it happen? Does labour always eventually come by itself? Or do I just need to give in and go for the induction?

OP posts:
snackatack · 28/08/2025 23:04

What are the dates based on?

According to the GP - my DD was conceived two weeks earlier than was possible - so if I had got to 42 weeks I would have been at due date IYSWIM

dijonketchup · 28/08/2025 23:11

Went up to nearly 42 weeks with both mine. Sometimes they’re only just ready.

YOU are the patient and it’s a working day for them but the day of a LIFETIME for you. So, call those shots. Remember: if they propose doing something, use your…

B - benefits - ask what is the benefit?
R - risks - ask what is the risk?
A - alternatives - what can they do instead?
I - intuition - how do you feel about it?
N - next steps - what happens next/if I do nothing?

In your case, the benefit of the drip would be to speed labour along and get a healthy baby out faster now waters are gone, the risks would be overly stressing your body/baby out, more pain, cascade of interventions, etc.

Alternatives include doing nothing. The best question I asked in both my births was “I’m not sure, so what happens if we wait for an hour and make the call then?” Assuming no concerns are present for baby, I recommend doing this.

If you get the drip, get the epidural as well.

Good luck and hope you meet baby soon x

Happinessislikeabutterfly · 28/08/2025 23:18

OP I have no words from a medical perspective. But you’ve had some great responses so far. Like someone else mentioned, get in the zone, don’t overthink it (the brain can be very negative sometimes - we cannot control everything and at times we need to get out of that headspace). If you can, watch a comedy or listen to some great music or a podcast, give your mind time to settle and your body will follow. Hope the midwife is reassuring you.
Aww I’m sooo excited for an update on your new addition, hope you don’t have to wait too long. You got this OP, bring out the lioness within 💐

Interested in this thread?

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Pyjamatimenow · 28/08/2025 23:19

Don’t let them near you with a drip unless you’ve got an epidural in place. They always push those bloody drips because they want you in and out asap. They put me on it and you couldn’t scrape me off the ceiling. The contractions were hideous and then it was too late for an epidural

ConfessionsOfAMumDramaQueen · 28/08/2025 23:19

They're pushing you because you're 42 weeks. They have guidelines that they're supposed to induce so that they're out by this point.

I know you wanted to give your body time to go into labour itself so as not to rush things, but pushing it until 42 weeks has kind of done the opposite. They're now antsy and want that baby out.

So rather than the ok she's 41 weeks, come in tomorrow/ couple of days we'll try the pessary, give it a day, go home wait for a bed for waters broken and we'll wait a couple hours to let contractions start naturally if they want etc etc you have what you've turned up to. You agreed to induction, you're already 42 weeks so they want you in and waters broken now, they'll delay other inductions for you. They want drip in right now to get strong contractions from the off because they want that baby out asap rather than letting you labour naturally. They will have baby well monitored on the machine in case baby and placenta isn't handling contractions well, they will have you at higher risk of issues such as baby getting stuck as they will have a higher chance of being large as they are so overdue.

You're being pushed because you've left it so late, you've missed the deadline so to speak so its all hands on deck, pushing full steam ahead. You can push to be left to see if you establish labour naturally yourself, you're just going to encounter a lot more resistance than someone that was induced a bit earlier because statistically your baby is at much higher risk of complications.

Edit to add I was induced at 41+2 - had an EMCS because baby got stuck as they were huge. But placenta looked perfect, so mine was fine. My friend had her baby after induction at 41 weeks, they could tell her placenta was struggling when it came out and she was advised any future children she would have additional monitoring and be offered earlier induction as her baby was at risk. They don't know which placentas are and aren't fine so they act early to be safer for all.

Good luck OP!

TheLilacStork · 28/08/2025 23:26

OP it sounds like you had a really scary experience at your previous delivery. Like others have said I would definitely take medical advice re being induced. I would also explain your fears and concerns with your midwife so that they can help you as best as they can. Wishing you the best of luck

whengodwasarabbit1 · 28/08/2025 23:28

Huge hand hold and good luck!
Push for an hour and a walk around if all seems well.

YouLookLikeStevieNicks · 28/08/2025 23:29

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 28/08/2025 22:35

OMG who would want a planned caesarean section!

Lots of women. Me included. I had an absolutely fantastic experience and I'm so glad that's what I chose. It was absolutely right for me.

Good luck OP. It must all seem like it's happening very fast, but at 42 weeks your baby really does need to come out soon!

TangerinePlate · 28/08/2025 23:34

OP,every labour is different.

Fear creates more pain than the one we’re afraid of.

Not every baby at 42 weeks gestation is ginormous.

Don’t you dare thinking “you’re taking up the room”. That’s exactly the purpose of this room.

Good luck💐

everychildmatters · 28/08/2025 23:35

I had an induction with my first as he was 14 days over the "due' date. Had I my time again I would refuse and opt for daily scanning.

iwishihadaname · 28/08/2025 23:39

The longer your pregnancy lasts the weaker the placenta becomes I was 13 days over due and ended up in the OR to have parts of it removed because the placenta fell apart. Drs said I was lucky not to have blood transfusion

yforwankylol · 28/08/2025 23:42

Strawberrysummer25 · 28/08/2025 18:13

I had an induction at 41 +6 (pessary only) and it was very straightforward, baby in arms 2 hours later, no stitches up and walking dog later that day, induction at 42 weeks and induction at 38 weeks are world's apart. Good luck

I found this as well. I have been induced three times - the 39 and 38 week inductions were tough (pitocin drip, epidural, the works) but the 41+3 week induction was a piece of cake by comparison. I would absolutely take the induction at 42 weeks. You may find that pessary and breaking of the waters is enough if you are past your due date - it was for me! Good luck ❤️

everychildmatters · 28/08/2025 23:52

I would NEVER let anybody break waters artificially after what happened to my baby. It was not informed consent as nobody told me of the potential consequences. Luckily he recovered but was very poorly and now has permanent issues with his hearing.

Lovethewinter · 29/08/2025 00:22

I was induced at 42 weeks by having my waters broken. I asked for gas and air for it and they were happy to let me even though they hadn't offered. Glad I did because it took them a few attempts and would have been really uncomfortable. Thought I'd mention it in case it's helpful to you - good luck! :)

CommissarySushi · 29/08/2025 05:48

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 28/08/2025 22:35

OMG who would want a planned caesarean section!

Lots of people. I wish I'd had one and avoided my birth injuries.

Wallywobbles · 29/08/2025 06:02

I did a lot of heavy lifting and long walks when I got to 42 weeks.

Dontwantinduction · 29/08/2025 07:38

Hi everybody, sorry I went silent - we did start the drip at around 1am as I was still only 3cm. The pain was so intense once the drip had started and the contractions were back to back, I was hardly getting any rest time to recover and pull myself together. Ended up being very… vocal…

But all worth it! Another boy for us and big brother will be very chuffed indeed. I had him just after 5am, he is much smaller than what his brother was (weighing in at 6lbs 2oz).

Thank you so much for all the love and support on here - it was really comforting. I’m desperate fora nap so hoping I can nod off soon.

OP posts:
itsgettingweird · 29/08/2025 07:41

Awwwww congratulations. Flowers

Bet you’re glad you ate dinner now before pulling an all nighter?!

Hope you get home today and can rest with newborn squishes and your DS1 gets to meet his little brother

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 29/08/2025 07:45

Congratulations. Such lovely news.

fungibletoken · 29/08/2025 07:46

Wonderful news! 😁 Huge congratulations and well done @Dontwantinduction - I really hope you get that well-earned nap!

ThePoshUns · 29/08/2025 07:52

Congratulations! So glad you are both ok x

Northquit · 29/08/2025 07:53

@Dontwantinduction congratulations!

Thesunisfinallyshining · 29/08/2025 07:57

Congratulations OP, glad you are both ok. Hope you manage to get some rest x

LEWWW · 29/08/2025 08:08

Congratulations OP!!!!!!

JollyRoseBiscuit · 29/08/2025 08:08

Yay! Congratulations xx