9 days overdue boo hoo

[margherita76]

I am so unbelievably fed up. I've got painful hips so I can't really move and DP has to go back to work tomorrow ( unless something happens). I had a sweep on Friday and am due for induction on Tues night / Wed. I can't move around much to try and bring on labour and all the other stuff, well it's not worked.

I think I got my hopes up as when I had the sweep she said I was 1 and 1/2 dilated and I really felt like something was going to happen. Then I had what I thought was the show ( how very euphemistic ) / the plug coming away, but it wasn't much to write home about. My bump is getting really hard and I have a lot of lower abdominal tightening and aching. But then still, nothing. I feel so irrationally cross that it's not happening as I so don't want induction ( I already postponed it once - I felt like they were cramming me in before the bank holiday). I really want to be in the MLU and to be able to manage the hip pain and to try and be mobile, with crutches!

It's so weird how I am so bloody pregnant and yet some how the baby feels so far away - IYSWIM.

I am truly feeling sorry for myself aren't I.

I feel sorry for myself too and I am only 5 days overdue!
I really really don't want to be induced but to be honest I haven't had any indication at all that the baby is ready to make and appearance. :-(

I am due for a sweep on Tues which is my first and I am also not looking forward too.
Have been eating lots of spicy food, bouncing on my ball and having sex but nothing is shifting.

have faith in your bodies ladies....I was 43+2 when my baby decided to come and then 41+6 when the next one came. Both beautiful births.
you don't have to have an induction at all - I would definitely advise against it.

You have grown your baby by yourself for 9 months, honestly, what is an extra week or two?

I don't understand why mums and doctors don't believe that a mother can't go into labour herself and needs help? WHY????????

Having a due date is the worst thing - you need to forget about it and just go with the flow. Ignore the calls / texts / emails / friends asking when the baby is coming! The baby will come and then time flies by!

Doing things to make you feel like you are doing something will help your mindset but don't focus too much on it. You need to focus on your baby and he/she will come.

Hang in there - you are going to have a baby really really soon
xxx

I actually found the sweep reassuring- sort of like i was doing something useful, so don't worry. It was rather uncomfortable and I thought oh jesus this is horrible but then it was over.

I also think that stressing is the worse thing as it's so counterproductive. But easier said than done, no.

PS: if you are really concerned you can have expectant monitoring.
Your baby will also move to tell you it's ok.
the more stressed out you get the more it won't help matters.
enjoy these last few days for you and for you and your partner / other family members.

Doctors / MWs are bound by policies and procedures and litigations.....they are not bound by mothers and babies.....remember that.
You are the best one who knows your body and your baby....keep it that way

Bubba, that is very reassuring but I don't know if I would be able to cope for much longer as I have such bad hip pain. WHich is also why I am sitting / lying here moaning as opposed to getting out and about. I am pretty much housebound.

Anyway sorry to respond to your lovely positive message with another whinge! I'll try what you say at least.

I don't have any advice but wanted to wish you both good luck anyway. Fwiw I had no warning at all that I was about to go into labour until it happened and then I had my baby within 4 hours! Even though it feels like nothings happening your body and your baby are doing things to prepare for birth, your baby will be getting into a good position and your cervix will be softening and getting ready to open. BH are a really good sign as they mean your uterus muscles are getting strong, ready to push your baby out and they may be starting to open your cervix. I know this time is miserable and uncomfortable but soon you will both be holding your lovely babies and this will all be a distant memory xx

thank you Marjee for the lovely message - it made me stop obsessing for at least 20 minutes! And you are right, of course. xx

margherita and NW20 I am also overdue 40+5 & due a sweep on Tues.

I too am pretty much housebound, have to keep my feet up as legs swell up when Im upright - so also not doing the moving around that would help bring on labour.

I found some of the support messages on here lovely and hope I can be so strong to refuse induction.

My best wishes to you guys and heres hoping our babies decide to make an appearance sooner rather than later!!

Hi Helena
thanks for your message - the support definitely helps.

Do you have lady in waiting type person to help you?! I haven't picked anything off the floor for weeks!

i would really like to throw my crutches out of the window and run down the stairs. Several people have suggested I go to the Not Hil Carnival and sit on a speaker!

At least I don't have a toddler to look after as well - that would be so hard.

a midwife once told me that 40+9 was the average for a first baby to come if it's any consolation. It's still crap though waiting. Remember 1.5cm is good - that's only 8.5 to go - I honestly think from what you're saying you'll go very soon - and it will just be a 'pop' when you least expect it. Try sex if you can (I know it's the last thing you want to do) but it worked twice for me

I also have heard a few times now that it is often a second sweep that gets things going (rather than just the one)..... could your midwife try another one?

Hope it happens for you soon - I'm 39+5 wks at the moment and fed up already !

Sorry I mean't I'm 38+5 !! I'm even adding days on now !!

Chathappy, I went in today for monitoring and they tried another sweep so we'll see. Otherwise induction time tomorrow evening. The worst day was the due date as I was literally waiting and waiting - after that I reckon it sort of gets easier (maybe that's a lie).

Whoodoo, sex at the moment is like some kind of herculean task - my hips are not in the mood! I really hope I do pop soon. The midwife today said I was effacing nicely(!) and she thought I might only need one lot of gel.

thanks for your advice - both of you.

Good luck for tomorrow evening margherita - your LO may even decide to show before then :)

Am laughing about not bering able to pick things up off the floor - I know what you mean!!

As of now I am officially ignoring texts asking if there is "any news" from my lovely friends ... bless em for caring but they can either think ive gone into labour or realise that there are only so many times I can type that Im not even one week overdue until tomorrow and that no, there is still no sign of baby!!! Oops small rant there...

sympathy from me, 5 days late now

hang on in there, they have to come out eventually no?

the bummer is I get a new stretch mark every day!!!! had I been early, nada!

Contractions started for DS1 on the day he was due to be induced!

HelenaCC - I completely ignored the messages, drove me batty!!!! (was 12 days late).

margherita - I'm hoping for you that your absense on this thread means you're otherwise occupied.

bubba - it's one thing to just say 'go with the flow' but if you're 2 weeks over and refusing induction, then daily monitoring is surely the only sensible route?

Hi ladies, Im now 41+3 and booked for an ELCS on friday although wanted VBAC after two EMCS but this baby is comfortable. my hips dont really work any more and im bored and just eating....had curry, 2 sweeps,bouncing ball session and cant do the other thing as it may put him off me for life...

2 days to go into labour naturally...I wounder what the odds are...

Jareth you were right! Funnily enough the baby (my daughter!) came on the day before I was due for induction. (possibly after 2 sweeps? possibly not) Unfunilly enough I didn't get the natural birth (nowhere near it!) I was hoping for. Anyway that is another story for another thread and none of it matters anymore. Good luck for all you others 'patiently' waiting. I would say the best thing I did during the 11 days I waited was internet shopping - even if it is all going back!

Congratulations Margherita! I hope you are recovering well and enjoying your lovely dd xx

Thank you Marjee,
for your lovely supportive messages in my time of need! xx