Overdue and wondering about induction.

[mermummy]

I am overdue with DS2, by 4 days and I know that I may well spontaneously go into labour , I have a sweep booked for 41 weeks (Fri). I just have a very strong feeling that I will not go into labour naturally, as my mum was induced with all 3 of us.

I was induced at 38 weeks with dd and was horrendous as I wasn't ready to give birth. What I am in a very long winded way trying to get to is my dilemma. DO i ask for an induction at 40 + 10 or should I wait till 42 weeks which takes me right up to 23rd. So close to xmas and I really would prefer to have the baby and be healing and so be able to be on better form for xmas. (For dd, so am not so hormonal when rellies come and see us).

All sounds so silly, but I am so fed up of being preggers and want this baby to come, being a crap mum to dd and want to meet my baby. A natural birth in midwife led unit isnt so important to me as getting this baby out. Argh!

Hi Karen,

I am not sure how you know where I am based but I am afraid that I am not willing to take part in a study of this nature. Good luck with it.

My trust usually offers induction at 40+12 (it was 40+10 5 years ago when my son was born but they've put it back, presumably yo cut down on the number of c-sections for failed inductions), which in my case also means 23rd December (my midwife booked me in today just in case).

So you could split the difference and go for 40+12 on 21st instead. It gives you a bit more time to go yourself but still gives you time to recover and get home before Christmas.

Personally I would wait as long as you can, so I'd go up to the 23rd if necessary. I know it might mean an almost Christmas baby and that you don't have much time to get over things, but your body will do it soooo much easier the more ready it is. I wasn't induced with DD1, but had the drip, etc for slow progress and it is such hard going.

I'd also have thought that, if you end up giving birth really close to Christmas, there is less risk that you'll end up running round looking after everyone when you really should be the one being looked after.

Of course, it will not be necessary as my crystal ball tells me you will give birth at 40+8.

I second waiting it out, I got to 40+11 with my DS and after waters broke had to be induced. The memory is fading but my god it was horrendous.
I know how fed-up you are of being pregnant, but as you know that discomfort is nothing compared to the experience of a full-on induction! You will curse yourself for not waiting once that drip is hooked-up you know you will!

I really hope your LO decides to make an appearance very soon and it won't come to an induction.

I was induced at 38 wks with ds1 nearly 6 yrs ago and wasn't ready so took days and wasn't great but all ok in the end, he was born on 23rd of December btw and it was lovely. Was still on that natural high over Christmas and DD who was 4 at the time didn't feel too left out as she was occupied by pressies and family.
Was also induced with ds2 3 weeks ago at 39+1 and was dreading it after it taking so long last time but my body must have been ready this time as pessaries given at 9.15am, contractions started 5pm and my gorgeous boy was born at 7.17pm.

I would guess that with a second baby an induction won't take days, even if your body isn't 'ready'. My DC3 was induced at 39 weeks and came in a matter of hours even though the baby was still high, my cervix still closed up (or whatever the phrase is) and absolutely nothing was 'favourable'. Once the drip started it was like my body thought 'Oh, ok, then' and got going.

So I would do whatever makes life easiest for you.

Thanks for all the shared experiences. I know the drip was awful but I was hoping that I may well not get to that point and would respond to pessaries, much like Heavensmells.

Loving the 40 +8 prediction, will hold out for that and see if they will book me for an induction on the mon.