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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

40+6 - is this baby ever going to come?

37 replies

emmyloo2 · 18/11/2010 13:56

Hi all,

I am 40+6 weeks with my first baby. I know most first babies are late but I am starting to get despondent about the whole thing. I had a feeling the baby would be late but not this late. I feel like it is now never going to happen.

I had a sweep on Tuesday and the midwife said I was 1cm dilated and she was able to perform the sweep. However, she said the cervix is still quite high so basically was 50:50 chance whether the sweep would work. 2 days later, still no labour. I have had significantly more period type cramps over the last few days and have had red/brown discharge (sorry TMI) since the sweep which I am assume is part of the mucus plug. But its not much. Just a little bit of discharge.

The period pain type cramps come and go with no regularity.

I can have another sweep over the weekend if I want (which I will) otherwise i am booked to be induced next Wednesday which I never thought would have to happen, so I am starting to panic.

Any advice on coping with the uncertainty and fear of induction?

Thanks!

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StreathamLiz · 22/11/2010 13:55

hello ladies. i am 41+2 and have had 4 failed sweeps. cervix tightly closed and no signs of labour. induction booked for thursday. i'm more bored than worried or frustrated. i'm usually a control freak but this is one thing in life where it really isn't in your hands. i've opted not to keep trying pineapple, sex, castor oil, etc. i'll have sex when i fancy! there's little to no scientific evidence to support any of this (you'd have to eat a lot of pineapple and take in a lot of semen...).

i'm spending my time distracting myself and relaxing and being as informed as i can be about induction. For me, it alters some of my original birth plan preferences. For example, i am now more open to medical pain relief than i was.

good luck to all of you who are waiting too. One way or another, we'll have our babies very soon. the end is in sight. whether it'll be more difficult or not, no one can say for sure. the only certainty is that we will get through it and it'll all be over shortly.

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 22/11/2010 17:09

Hi Streatham Liz - I really needed to read your post today! I am now 41+4 and due to be induced on Wednesday still. Despite my second sweep yesterday still no signs of labour and at yesterday's sweep the midwife said while i am still dilated 1cm there were no imminent signs of labour. So, like you, I am now just getting as comfortable and knowlegeable as I can about induction because I am really quite sure that I will not have this baby before Wednesday. I think now that I have come to accept this I feel better. It totally alters my birth plan as I had planned to stay at home as long as possible and go on my fitball and use the tens machine etc at home and then go to hospital which is 5 min drive as late as possible and then try and avoid pain relief. Now my birth plan is to simply have the baby safely. So not what I had hoped for and I do still worry why my body hasn't started the whole process naturally, but I am now getting excited that at least I have a set date and by the end of this week by baby should be here.

Look forward to hearing how things go for you. Best of luck!

OP posts:

StreathamLiz · 22/11/2010 18:34

Hi emmyloo2.

safe delivery by whatever means is the priority for us both now. it's an exciting time and, induction or not, let's focus on the positive!

we might deliver on the same day - depending on how fast you go/ how slow i go...

all the best!

NorthernLurker · 22/11/2010 18:43

I had 1 at 42 +1 (induced) and 2 at 41 weeks. Good luck - you will be giving birth soon!

nonanny · 22/11/2010 21:22

go with the flow - when it comes - and it will

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 22/11/2010 21:55

Thanks everyone. I am feeling much more relaxed and positive about it all now. Only one more day to get through then I am off to the hospital. I guess at least I now have some certainty!

OP posts:

nonanny · 22/11/2010 22:02

You know a GP friend of mine was induced twice and there was nothing she could do it was just how her body did/didn't do it, so you can't wait for ever. Go meet your baby!

Original poster

emmyloo2 · 23/11/2010 09:52

Thanks nonanny! That makes me feel better. It is hard not to feel let down by my body but it has done the right thing the whole pregnancy so I shouldn't be too hard on it

OP posts:

megonthemoon · 23/11/2010 10:05

I feel your pain! I gave birth to DD at 40+13 in September after an induction. DS was only 4 days over, and I had a scare at 36 weeks so I really wasn't expecting to go that long. At no point in those 13 days did i feel close to going into labour and my midwife couldn't even find my cervix as it was so high up so clearly DD was not ready at all. It was torture!

I was induced - first attempt Cervix still high and closed and not even a twinge. They leftmeovernight and had a second attempt with pessary. Cervix was softer so first gel had had some impact after all. The second pessary got everything going - 7 hours later DD arrived with just gas and air and a fair bit of swearing :) It was, crazily, the most wonderful few hours of my life as it just went so well and I was in such a good mood as I knew the waiting was almost over! And it was extra specially thrilling to finallymeet her after such a long wait. We almost called her Patience as she had really taught us the art of it :)

Best wishes tomorrow. You'll soon be holding your baby in your arms :)

megonthemoon · 23/11/2010 10:08

Oh and don't think your body has let you down - it has in fact made such a comfy cosy home for your baby that there is no need for him or her to move!

nonanny · 23/11/2010 22:36

Good luck! looking forward to your news

begonyabampot · 24/11/2010 11:52

I was 40 +10 with both and had to go in for induction - wonder if i would ever have went naturally. It all depends and everyone has different experiences. Jogging, sex, curry and sweeps did nothing for me though the dr said i was 'ripe' and ready to go. I'm a bit anti induction and wished I'd waited a few days. Induced and had emergency C section with first after longish labour but never dilated over 9 inches and baby was in awkward position (forget what it's called where he is head down but round the wrong way.) Second the induced labour was quicker but baby in same position as Dc1 so had to have a forceps and ventuse delivery. Might have been the outcome if I had gone into labour naturally but can't help wonder if being induced was a factor - also feel a wee bit cheated not to have had the natural 'going into labour' experience as will never know what it's like to feel that first normal contraction.

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