If you went 42 weeks or more

[RedRobyn2021]

Can you tell me about your experience please?

Did you have a sweep? Did you decide to have an induction or wait?

I had my first child at 42 weeks. I had 4 sweeps (didn't do much) then induction - which I found very difficult and painful. With hindsight I wish I'd resisted and just hung on another day or two - I knew I was only 9 days over based on my dates, but 14 days based on scan dates (but my dates were accurate), but it was my first child and I just went with what the midwife/doctors encouraged which was the induction. Good luck with whatever you do

All 3 babies were 42+ weeks. That's my normal. You don't need to be induced or swept or any of that invasive shite. Normal is a variation of between 37 and 42 weeks. Over 42 just should increase wellbeing monitoring. Check on you and baby health.

Always go with the gut feeling. Do not be guilted into invasive procedures you don't need. These procedures are for the convenience of hospitals, not you.

Get a copy of In Your Own Time by Sarah Wickham for more info.

All the best!

Ps all babies born alert, very healthy and all vaginal, normal delivery. 1 out of the 3 were with the use of epidural. Other 2 were drug free. Biggest baby was 9lb 9oz

I was 42+1 as the first 3 inductions were cancelled (no staff) and the 4th was a shit show (no staff) so I refused and went home. In fairness, I wasn't as late as they said I was. Dating scan put me later and I knew the night DS was conceived so I was only about 10days over. I did agree to have a sweep which didn't do anything and extra monitoring. I went to the hospital at 8am on the day he was born and he arrived at lunchtime perfectly healthy and absolutely starving! I don't have any regrets about refusing the induction. I felt to let them start anything would put us at risk because to me they still didn't have enough/any staff.

Yes I will be buying her book! I love Sara Wickham, I read her book Inducing Labour in my last pregnancy and it gave me a lot of comfort

When I was pregnant with DD I was put under pressure to have an induction, I was only 12 days over when she arrived (I didn't succumb to an induction, I had her at home). But it was a difficult time, the end of my pregnancy wasn't good, I was very stressed and I'm worried this one could end up being late too. I'm only in my 2nd trimester but I think I found the experience with my daughter pretty horrible

Every pregnancy is different my love. You've done it before so you will be more able to recognise signs. You're strong and capable! If you need help, ask for it but don't be bullied. Can you afford a doula?