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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone go into Labour naturally anymore?

207 replies

hellosunshineagainx · 07/01/2022 19:49

Ok tell me if aibu. But I am 31 so lots of friends and family having first babies, out of the ten the past three years only ONE has gone into Labour naturally. Is this normal or are healthcare providers too quick to induce?

I had a failed induction leading to a cascade of intervention including a emergency C-section where I haemorrhaged and then had an infection.

We were both in hospital over a week. I was only induced as I was overdue but my cervix was so unfavourable they couldn't even do a sweep so I perhaps am quite biased.

OP posts:
SpiceRat · 07/01/2022 20:03

Were your friends deemed “risky” at all? As everyone I know who have been induced (me included) have had some issue. Friends have gone into Labour naturally have all been low risk pregnancies.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/01/2022 20:05

I've noticed this increasingly as an antenatal teacher.

The way risk management is dictated by the clinical negligence insurance scheme for trusts leads to a financial disincentive for promoting informed choice, as the requisite compliance levels may drop.

Personally I gave birth at 41+6 but had private care and knew my choices.

CoalCraft · 07/01/2022 20:05

I did at 33 weeks. I'd much rather I'd gone over and needed an induction tbh 😕

Hugasauras · 07/01/2022 20:06

I did at 39+6! She was born on her due date Grin Got the spectacular waters breaking all over the place too, like in the movies!

RedCandyApple · 07/01/2022 20:06

I’ve found the opposite, everyone I know went into labour early whereas I was overdue and had to be induced with all 4 of mine. But from observing I thought slightly early labour was more common

BFCfairy · 07/01/2022 20:09

Yes all 3 at 40 weeks. Most of my friends have too.

Sorry to hear your story Op.

Fleur405 · 07/01/2022 20:09

Of my Nct group we had:

4 planned sections
1 induction (me at 39 weeks due to high risk factors)
3 spontaneous labours

Out of my friends and family, as far as I know most of them had spontaneous labours - 2 had planned sections (one for a breach baby and one for a massive baby)

grafittiartist · 07/01/2022 20:11

Twice- both over 40 weeks

Sh05 · 07/01/2022 20:12

My first was induced but only because my labour and contractions slowed down completely after 8 hours and baby was seen to be in distress,
The following 4 I went into labour naturally, my youngest is 2.

georgarina · 07/01/2022 20:12

I do think there's a weird focus on induction. With my second I was told when we would be talking about induction from 37weeks+ as if it were a given.

But I went into labour spontaneously with both. - one born at 38+6, one at 38+1.

KleineDracheKokosnuss · 07/01/2022 20:12

I did with both of mine

Original poster
hellosunshineagainx · 07/01/2022 20:13

@SpiceRat

Were your friends deemed “risky” at all? As everyone I know who have been induced (me included) have had some issue. Friends have gone into Labour naturally have all been low risk pregnancies.
One that I am aware of as but not high risk she was at risk of gestational diabetes but didn't actually have it. Everyone else just low risk pregnancy. One was because of reduced waters, one because the baby was big and the rest due to being overdue. Maybe it's the particular hospital/nhs trust we are under
OP posts:
Marmite27 · 07/01/2022 20:13

DC1 I broke my waters coughing at 38+2.

DC2 was a scheduled section for medical reasons.

User310 · 07/01/2022 20:13

I did with both babies 13 years apart.

My friend who was due a few months after me actually rang me asking for advice about whether she was in labour because I was the only person she knew who had gone into labour naturally… very odd really.

NamiSwan · 07/01/2022 20:14

All three of mine I went into labour naturally- at 40+3, 40+9 and 40+1

With my second I had to fight not to be induced and had a consultant appointment booked for 40+10 in lieu of booking an induction. Went into labour beforehand thankfully.

I definitely think they are quick to induce though- I was automatically booked in for induction with my first, but avoided it by going onto labour. Second I was told induction was being booked at my 40 week appointment and I fought it. With my third I was told at my booking in appointment that my induction was to be booked for 41 weeks! I said no chance I'm not being induced and I'm certainly not getting booked in for one when I'm only 8 weeks pregnant! I actually complained then to my maternity voices partnership that at my booking in appointment I had been told I would be booked in for an induction. Induction should always be a choice, not something you are told is going to happen. But too often it's just booked in for convenience.

yestheyhavethesamedad · 07/01/2022 20:16

I was induced with all of mine bar one , was 42+ weeks , no sign of labour starting and all over 9lb babies , no labour lasted more than 6 hrs from start to finish , only one i wasnt induced with needed 2 midwives to manually shift after head had crowned as shoulders got stuck , at the time i was the only one of my pregnant friends/family that had labours induced

BigYellowHat · 07/01/2022 20:17

I did. Although it was at 42 weeks 😂

sunshineandshowers40 · 07/01/2022 20:17

I did with all three of my labours.

UndertheCedartree · 07/01/2022 20:19

I had both of mine at 41+1 after a stretch and sweep.

EdithGrantham · 07/01/2022 20:19

I did at 42 weeks but ended up with an EMCS because of a risk of cord prolapse

Longdistance · 07/01/2022 20:20

Both mine at full term give or take a few days each end. Out they popped.

Lockdownmummy · 07/01/2022 20:20

Yes - 40+5 and 40+4. Declined first offer of sweep for both and came before my next midwife appt.

Peccary · 07/01/2022 20:21

Yes, 2 days before booked induction date, 10 days after due date.

419HLR · 07/01/2022 20:22

I don't think I know anyone who has had to be induced and only know a couple of people who have had planned sections. I went naturally at 41+1.

BonkMyPop · 07/01/2022 20:22

I was 32 years old and went into labour naturally at 40+2

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