Overdue but closed cervix...

[AgruminoMum]

Hello ladies!

I am 41+2 today, have been having on/off period pains, and mild contractions - but MW says that my cervix is closed and posterior. I don't quite get it how my uterus seems to be warming up but cervix is still completely closed.. does anyone know? and how long does it take for the cervix to soften and start opening? I was under the impression that all of this gradually happens over the last several weeks, and I am quite disappointed to have arrived at 41+2 and not there yet....

Also - I am in Italy - and here, they say that sweeps are impossible if cervix is closed (although sounds like in the UK sweeps are done on all kinds of cervix types...). I am due to be induced tomorrow at 41+3, although I plan to refuse and ask for a couple more days (though having an opinion is unheard of here...). I am also told that only prostin gel induction is possible due to the unfavourable cervix, and that they start with a small dose, and increase it the next day if it doesn't work...

I have been preparing for months for an all natural hypno birth, staying at home til the very last moment, and going to hospital only for the delivery. Needless to say what a huge disappointment all of this is.. :(

Any experience/info would be greatly appreciated!!

I can't speak for my cervix because they never examined me at all in pregnancy, but I was due to be induced at 41+3, and like you wasn't really looking forward to it.

I too had the mild cramps on and off in the weeks leading up to it.

Anyway, my waters broke the night before the induction date, so I went in, was checked over and was allowed home to labour at home - went back at 3am the following day and was told I was 5cm - had the urge to push an hour later!

So what I'm saying is that you never know a) what could happen between now and then, and b) how fast your cervix will go once you start.

Keep us updated and good luck!!

Do you know if you have any family history of long gestation?
Is this your first baby?
Sometimes it does run in the family.
Have you tried all the natural methods of induction?
As a doula I do an overdue routine with clients (with quite good results), I will put the details in here and you could get a friend to help you maybe?
Firstly I follow these physical exercises-
spinningbabies.blogspot.com/2008/02/alternative-to-induction.html
I then do a massage using clary sage aromatherapy oil and utilising acupressure points-
acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/Acupressure/induce.aspx
I also get people doing some belly dancing, figure of eights and hip drops-

You could also try vigerous circles on a birth ball for 20 mins (10 mins one way, 10 the other) Also hot food/curry and sex (including orgasm)

Remember, the World Health organisation counts normal term pregnancy from 37-42 weeks so technically you are not overdue yet. You could go for fetal assessment (which may include an ultrasound to look at blood flow in the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid you have) and ask for expectant management.
One of my clients had a homebirth at 43 weeks (her first baby also arrived at 43 weeks and her mother had a 44 week pregnancy)

S x

I remember going into hospital for a sweep to get things going. My doctor examined me and said that my cervix was "buttoned up so tight that she couldn't even do the sweep"

I was told it would be "a good few days yet."

My waters broke that night! Things can change quite quickly in my experience so don't despair!

Mine was closed and posterior at 4pm when they gave me the 2nd dose of prostin. At 7.30pm my waters broke and at 8.35pm DD2 was born.

Thank you everyone for the encouraging words!!

This is my first baby, so I know that it is normal to be late. My mother has been late by 7 days with her first one, but I am already past this point.. I have been trying the natural induction methods for a while now (sex, hot food, long walks - until baby started kicking me in the sciatica nerve last week). I also called an acupucture studio recommended by a MW this morning - but they are afraid that I might give birth there if we do a session (highly unlikely if you ask me!).

I am monitored every two days for baby movements and heart beat, and amniotic fluid levels. The amniotic fluid was 110 (whatever that means) at 40w, and 85 at 41w, which is still a good level even by the hospital procedures. I am due for another monitoring tomorrow, and if fluid is enough, planning to refuse induction for another 2 days. And DD is moving like crazy these days, pushing and kicking, so it can't be that bad in there!

Selina, thank you for the links, that's so helpful! I will now trying the acupressure points and exercises at home, and starting spinning on the ball...

Any joy yet AgruminoMum?
S x

No joy yet, except the amusement from watching the faces of the doctors when I refused the induction today (it doesn't seem to be something that happens often, here in Italy!) :) I did walk in with a print-out from WHO best practice for birth...
But the midwifes present were quite supportive, so I have some more days to press those acupressure points and hope for the best!

How much castor oil do I need to take? Also, cervix appears to be still closed - could the castor oil even help in this case?

Castor oil can make you feel sick and open your bowels. Some people think it can cause the baby to opens its bowels too and pass meconium so not recommended, but this site tells you more about it.
www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/castor.html
Did you give the belly dancing a go?
The rebozo is quite easy to do.
Sex (and sperm) may help ripen the cervix.
Also evening primrose oil.
www.gentlebirth.org/archives/natinduc.html
S

I was in the same situation with my first baby - closed cervix, 41+10, induced with prostin gel. Like you, it wasn't what I had hoped for, and it wasn't easy. BUT I managed to have a straightforward delivery and went on to have all-natural home births with DC2 & 3. So there is light at the end of the tunnel even if you are induced.

I also went overdue with DC3 and was advised to go for a long walk, have a relaxing lunch, a glass of wine and have sex. DH had a great day! Seriously though I think the sex (er, vigorous sex ) helped. But with DC3 my cervix was already a bit open. I think it never fully closes.

Induction Tip: keep moving, keep upright as much as possible (they wanted me to stay strapped to the bed alot, being monitored, but I tried to resist this as much as possible because it was so uncomfortable).

Above all, try not to let it get to you if it doesn't go as you hope. My understanding is that often, it doesn't. As long as you and the baby are healthy, that is the main thing. Good luck!