41+12 and no signs at all!

[Aloha31]

I am 41+12 today (42 by my own dates and by the early scan) and just had a scan - baby is perfectly healthy and all other signs great. Had a quick sweep (wasn't uncomfortable at all!) and was a little bit open but cervix still a bit long.

Can't quite believe I haven't gone into labour naturally by now, and have had no cramps since the sweep (just over an hour ago).

I feel great - haven't been in any physical discomfort for last few weeks, sleeping well, so no reason to complain. Just would like to meet my baby, and avoid Friday's induction.

I have tried every single 'old wive's tale' but was quite relaxed about them, as I don't think they really work. Any advice from doulas/MWs/anyone?

Did Hypnobirthing CD all for last 5 weeks too (is GREAT!).

Thank you!

I mean 40 + 12!! Also, first baby.

Hey! I'm not a requested doula/MW/etc. but I too will be 42 wks on Saturday. Induction booked for Friday night - not happy!! I've had two sweeps with no effect but bump is fine and happily squirming. Someone wrote on another thread that only 4% of women go past 42 wks, so that leaves us, what? 38 hours??!! Hope all goes well & good luck!

Sweeps can take 12-48 hours to take effect AFAIK so plenty of time yet :) Keep your fingers crossed (but not your legs ) Good luck

Apparently a study has shown that breast massage increased the number of women going into labour within 72 hrs from 6% to 37%! We thought it was worth a go, and it worked for us :)

You massage one nipple and areola for 15 mins, simulating breast feeding, then swap to the other one...then do it all again! And three times a day!

I won't pretend it was fun - we did it whilst watching a film, and it was deeply annoying...but within about 20 minutes I started having mildly painful tightenings like period pains. They went off, but labour started slowly the next day, then all kicked off the day after that.

In my case my body was basically ready, but needed a bit of encouragement to get kick-started. If you're not ready, it won't work.

Good luck!!

If you're happy to continue past 42 weeks you can. The stillbirth rate goes up from 0.3-0.5% at under 42 weeks to 0.6-1% at 43 weeks. But all women after 42 weeks are treated as though they will have a stillbirth and induced. I won't go into the risks of induction as you don't need that now. But it is your choice to be induced, no one can make the decision for you (however the hospital phrase it).
I know how hard it is waiting for labour to start especially if you feel everyone else has got their baby now and you haven't. I was overdue over Christmas and burst into tears in church on Christmas morning (40+9) because Mary had her baby and I didn't!
My DD was eventually born at 40 + 14 after on 40+13 I had a sweep, drank castor oil, did star jumps, ate a whole pineapple, did nipple stimulation and sniffed clary sage oil. Who knows which of those set me off? I'm not sure.
DD was only little (7lb2oz), but was definitely overdue as she had really dry scaly skin for a couple of weeks (no vernix left). Placenta was fine though.
Good luck.

Big thank you! Am 42+1 today, and have has what I think was a show.

Went for a long walk and am having very very mild twinges, which I haven't had until today. So maybe...!

I have clary-sage in, so will give that a go. The midwives I am with have been fantastic, not rushing me at all and have let me go this far with minimal intervention.

Fingers crossed...

Hope it goes well for you gembeam! Would be a shame to be induced after we have been so patient!

Good luck! I went to 42 weeks with DD1, & I didn't have any signs of labour until the day, which started off with some slight cramps.

I had to go see the consultant (we were with homebirth midwives) at 42 weeks & he basically said since I was healthy & it had been a normal pregnancy he was happy to reassess at 43 weeks if I had a scan to check fluid levels.

clary sage and nipple stimulation are worth a go imo. Better than eating pineapple and curry anyway!

Am up - how can anyone sleep before a possible induction! Think I may be having early contractions, on and off since 5 yesterday.

Am now 42+2 - anyone else ever gone that long? If I am induced, it surely can't last that long as me and baby must be ready?!

Hi aloha, have being sort of lurking and just wanted to wish you the very best of luck today - will be looking forward to reading the birth announcement

Really sympathise, I'm 40+13 today and won't be induced until next Tuesday (at 40+17/ 42+3)

Let us know how you are (sorry, can't answer bought how long - how long is a piece of string? - I was induced at 40+ 11 with my dd, began at 8.30am and I had her at 9.26pm)

Hi all - I was 40+23 with DD3 (or 43+2 if you prefer it that way!) it was 25 years ago mind you - I don't think they allow it now. I thought I was going to be pregnant forever!

Edith was born last night weighing almost ten pounds! The bh had made me very favourable so I needed quite a low intervention induction. Just a drip, started at three pm and she was born at eight thirty pm! Am delighted!

Congratulations!!! Sounds like it all went well in the end.

Love, love, love her name - welcome to the world Edith x

My beloved great grandmother was called Edith. It's a fabulous and very pretty name. Congratulations to you.

Any more details? I know a lot of people worry about inductions and you sound remarkably positive about yours. Oh and I like lots of details...

Well done you.

Congratulations! What a lovely name too!

Thank you! Waiting for doctor to discharge us an after some much needed rest will post more details x

Congratulations ! Glad it all went well for you

Was looking at this as DD turns 5 months, for nostalgia!

I did update my induction story, show of hands here !!!