37 weeks plus 3 with baby number 2. Fed up and trying everything with no luck!

[LittleMissJoJo]

Hi all! I am new to mumsnet and was browsing and found loads of old threads from last year regarding this waiting game and going overdue! One thread turned into a lovely little supportive club so hoping this will happen here as could do with the moral support and encouragement that this will all end in a baby at some point!! :)

I have a beautiful DS who was 4 on 12th Feb and is even more excited than me and his daddy to meet his little sister due on 2nd May!!!

I am well and truly fed up already, feel huge, no energy left and increasingly concerned that this labour is going to go the same way as first, induced at 41 plus 4 with a pessary, 8 agonising sweeps, 52 hour labour due to partial moon shaped piece of cervix not wanting to dilate back! All on gas and air with a 2nd degree tear sutured by surgeon :(

Sorry for long intro, but literally want baby out NOW :)

Been bouncing on birthing ball since 37weeks, been taking epo orally (2x 500mg a day) and rubbed a capsule on belly since friday still too scared to insert!!! Ate about 30 currys, 3000 steaming hot baths, walked 3 million miles but apart from an increase in discharge (sorry for tmi but may be my plug gradually!) (hopeful face!!) A few niggles in sides and back, diarrhoea, insomnia and feeling like i have a bowling ball between my legs we have nothing!!

Please tell me you are all in the same boat??!?! Anyone???!! :)

Hey there little miss!! I'm currently 40+8 with my first and hear your frustrations!! I too have tried lots to get her out but nothing is working, think I've made it all too comfy for her in there. I have lost, and continue to lose, my plug and get the odd twinge but nothing is happening.

Like you I feel huge, have lost my appetite, can't sleep because I'm so uncomfy and feel nauseous all the time!!

Just want to meet her now!! Hoping to be induced on Tuesday but not sure if they'll offer that just yet!!

I am in a similar boat OP, am currently 40+2 though, also went to 41+4 last time and escaped induction by a few hours. Also 2/3 degree tear last time. 8 sweeps!! Thats incredible, did you have 1 a day?!

OK- I mean this kindly, try not to stress yourself out, you may have a while yet and driving yourself loony with all the natural induction methods won't help you to enjoy this last bit of time when you get to a)still have a full nights sleep, b) have a long, relaxing bath, c) pee by yourself. I'm trying really to chill out a bit now and accept what will be will be, even though I would ideally like a home birth and that`s only possible until 40+10.

You don't have to have sweeps if you find them v uncomfortable this time.

I have heard the epo inserted manually can cause thrush so be careful, I am taking it orally but personally wouldn't insert!

I fully get where you`re coming from, I am huge + uncomfortable + starting to be driven mad with well meaning texts from friends and family. But I do kinda think if they're not ready, they're not coming out!!

I hear you OP, 39 + 3 I look like a bull elephant I'm fed up now and knowing I went to 40+8 with my first really doesn't inspire confidence in me! Curry tomorrow, Pineapple yesterday and walking today nothing seems to be shifting this stubborn little boy including threats of eating MIL's food Suspect my consultant wants to induce me at 40+5 and I'd rather avoid that to be honest.

Problem is I have MIL staying with us to look after DD when I go into labour and she's decided FIL can't be trusted alone so has to return home tomorrow and come back when he's in work again so can just see everything kicking off tomorrow or tuesday. Only reason I'm worried about that is because DD arrived within 3 hours of labour starting

I do sleep though in fact I mostly seem to sleep or eat right now which makes a change from the appalling insomnia I had a week ago. Do relax though as Jumping said its our last chance to have a full nights sleep for a while

Hey Mooley and Jumping! Feel awful that you are both much further along than me yet dont seem to be complaining as much lol!! Think its just the whole first time round induction/labour that is playing on my mind, i know what to expect this time round and not sure if thats a good thing!! :/

Are you concerned about the whole tearing thing this time Jumping as I have read scar tissue doesnt stretch as easily! Just worrying myself stupid about things completely out of my control i think!!
I know i should just be patient and enjoy the last couple of weeks of just having one very well behaved 4yr old and no demanding bubba! I am trying honestly! :)

What are you guys doing to keep busy though, feel like boredom is making the waiting much worse!! Actually missing work in a way! (Never thought i would say that!!!)

I agree Jumping dont think i will be inserting epo anytime soon!!! As for the sweeps they just continued to do them on the ward from the first pessary on the tuesday afternoon until the thursday morning when they finally let me go onto the birth centre!! I just found them horrendous but they said if I didnt have them they could not tell what stage i was at and in turn could not give me appropriate pain relief/send me down etc so just let them get on with it! I can safely say they were worse than actually pushing my boy out!

Hubs is driving me insane too of a night bless him! If he isnt snoring and waking me then apparently i am snoring and waking him then he has the cheek to wake me to stop?!!! I have asked him who in the right mind wakes an 8 and a half months pregnant woman who only manages about 3hrs a night anyway?! He just smiles......great!

Wish it was me looking at an induction tuesday Mooley, hope you get your wish! :)

Unfortunately you are right Jumping......they will come when they come just wish it was today! :D

Hiya Peach that made me laugh...bull elephant...my thoughts exactly i have been avoiding all mirrors since 30wks lol

I have to say DS's childcare is my main concern too especially if something happens during the night, I so have plan in place but still playing on my mind! MIL and FIL lovely but useless and live an hours drive away so wont come over until after baby is born....thank god she says!

I think its very typical not being able to sleep now yet i know its all i will want to do after I have baby!

Any indication on size of your little DS?? I know these measurements with tape and even scans cant be 100% as was told DS was going to be very big all the way through but was 7lb 8oz. They are saying DD is large too eeek i hope not! :(

I am a bit concerned about the tearing yes, especially as my DD was 9 1/2 pounds and I'm told this one ( a boy) will be a `good size!! I also think that when I was stitched last time they stitched me a bit too tight but that was after I'd already been stitched up once and then unstitched and restitched when they'd realised they'd stitched the wrong bits together. Again: . I'm expecting the exit to be a bit less flexible anyway, but I didn't actually feel the tearing. I also did have 4 midwives practically screaming PUSH at me as well which I don't think helped.
As my DD was out in 15 mins I don't think this was really necessary in retrospect.

I think I am likely to be more assertive this time. I hate stories like you tell, I know lots of women who have been induced and they have not had to be swept- maybe a VE at some point but 8 seems excessive!!

Perhaps it might be worth going through your birth plan with someone at your next as appt. and making it explicit that you really want to limit the VEs if you are induced and ask them how they can do this. Last time I accepted whatever they told me. This time I will query things if they don't feel/sound right to me.

You still have lots of time on your side anyway and may v well not get to induction. I'm hoping 2nd time will be easier and shorter!!

My sympathies re. sleeping with a snorer, my DP is horrendous, highly recommend the blue round silicone ear plugs from Boots (sorry can't remember exact name). They have saved our relationship

Ouch on the stitched/restitched/stitched after wrong bits stitched together Jumping!!! Thought I had it bad when they put in two locals to stitch, she started and I said "can still bloody feel that!" And SHE yes SHE carried on anyway!! By she i mean the female surgeon who I thought by just being a SHE would have a bit more compassion for another woman....clearly not!!

Glad I am not the only one who feels it was a tad tight but like you I did not feel the actual tearing as my DS also flew out in 15mins or so with midwives yelling PUSH regardless!

Yes definitely hoping to start naturally but like you will be more assertive regardless of induction or not!! I am adamant I will not be put through internals like that or that quantity again!! Thanks for tip on talking it through on birth plan though, will definitely be doing that on tues at midwife appt!

As for DH and his snoring...... Will be investing in blue ear plugs first thing tomo morning :)

Any idea on an induction date? When are you next due to see midwife?

I have my next appt. and a sweep booked for tomorrow, have had one already last Weds after which I had a show. Hoping the next one helps to get things going!! I find sweeps OK, much better than VE in labour, but everyone is different. A tip I was given is to completely relax yr jaw when you have a sweep and your pelvic floor then automatically relaxes which makes things much more comfortable.

I spent the whole day in hospital yesterday, went in after strong headaches, that was all fine but while there discovered the baby's heart rate was up and down. They were trying to decide whether to induce me then and there and the consultant said they'd give me a pessary, then break my waters. I told her I wouldn't let them break my waters unless absolutely necessary and asked about alternatives. She was obviously pissed off, but I'd had a hideous experience of a male consultant attempting ARM last time with two other male students watching while he made my DP wait outside.

I'll have an induction at 40+12 if the baby is not here by then, I am thinking positively though and will be ordering an extra hot Thai curry tonight!!

Hello ladies, can I join? I'm 39+4 and getting a little impatient now although I haven't actually reached my EDD yet.

This is my first so I have to admit to being pretty clueless. Based on what I've heard I'd like to avoid induction if possible though I may get to the point where I just want to get things started.

I have an MW appointment this week to book in a sweep for next week. It sounds like they can be very uncomfortable so I'm a little nervous about that. Stupid question but is the point of a sweep to try to kick labour off without an induction?

Sending positive baby arrival vibes to all and hope we're not waiting too long.

Hi ladies! can I join??!!
Im 37 weeks today, been for a waddledtour this afternoon around labour ward. This is my 2nd dd but after a 18 year gap!

I actually started ballooning 3 days ago, fat sausage fingers and cankles lol, very swollen knee, inflamed ribs, even my heads gone really big !

feel like im an gaviscon addict with a bottle or tablets in every room/car lol.

Ive been eating pineapple daily and also raspberry tea, have any of you guys had good experience with the tea?

Also im oddly calm about the labour..I don't know if im in complete denial or the hypnobirthing cd is working and ill go in to a trance when I start to labour!

cringing at the stitching stories !! jumping that's awful !!!! [flowrs]

good luck ladies!! x

also I invested in one of those big pillows for between my legs while in bed. I wake up for the toilet every hour and have to do a 3 point turn just to get out out of bed , DH snores too so we are literally getting no sleep between us ! Gave up and went and got in the spare bed last night lol x

Teapig- yes the point of the sweeps is to try and kick things off but I think success is really down to how favourable your cervix is. I had 3 last time and went into labour soon after. Try and relax about them, everyone is different and personally I find them less uncomfortable than a smear.

I have been having some contractions in the night, just a few, which feels really odd to me. Last time I had the text book woke at first twinge, got closer together and stronger and then went to hospital. This time this per-labour bit is really dragging out!!

Seriouscakeeater- I took a lot of R Leaf Tea last time (capsules and tea) and went from 3-10cm in a couple of hours with a 15 min pushing phase. From my experience then it would seem they gave me nice strong uterine muscles!!

Morning ladies! Hope you all got some sleep

jumping fingers crossed for you, things might start moving now! I'm going to brew s large pot of r leaf now!
Will it be red or green thai curry u have? [Grin]
Ladies have any of you experienced a burning/painful spot at the top of your tummy, Even an ice pack won't subdue it.
I wonder what it is?
I need to get my birth plan sorted on Wednesday!

Good luck!

Sorry Jumping I meant 8 VE's during labour! Thesweep was as you said uncomfortable at most! Great tip on relaxing jaw during Sweeps/VE's I will definitely be trying that! Oooooo contractions sound promising!! Good luck and keep us updated!

Hi Teapig I agree with Jumping sweeps are pretty pointless unless your cervix is ripe or getting that way and if the cervix is closed and far back it can be uncomfortable and in my experience not worth it! I have asked MW to check this time first to establish if my cervix is favourable to do one or not and if its not she has agreed to leave it. Maybe you could have a chat with MW and see what she says but overall they are nothing to worry yourself over :) Worth getting some Evening Primrose Oil Capsules (EPO) in my opinion though as they apparently help soften/ripen cervix for labour and also can help with tearing etc... I got some from boots and take 2 x 500mg tabs a day :)

Hi Seriouscakeeater
Wetting myself (which is no longer hard!) at the large head! Am 100% feeling you on the swollen bodyparts though (had to remove wedding ring saturday in fear of having to have it cut off :( ) and gaviscon addiction! My HB is definitely worse of a night which just adds to the not sleeping!!

I have a large square pillow I try and shove between my legs every night and it definitely helps with my backache I find although I am with you on the manouvering just to go for a wee its such a chore 5x a night!!!
DH is a dreadful snorer!!! He did try to come back to bed last night (I feel guilty he has been sleeping on the sofa to be honest especially having to get up at 6 for work ) but he ended up back downstairs @ 2am ish :(

How strange I have had the burning/funny pain at top of tummy?!?!? Dont have a clue what thats all about, just another glorious pregno symptom I guess?!

Haven't tried RLT but want to! Where did you get it from as I will try anything to promote eviction of my tenant!

Thanks for the advice on sweeps littlemissjojo and jumping. I think I might ask my MW to check whether my cervix is favourable before doing a sweep.

littlemiss, re raspberry leaf tea I take the tablets from Holland & Barratt. I'm on 6 a day! You can use them to make the tea if you prefer. I don't think they help bring on labour (wish they would) but supposedly they can make contractions more effective and the second stage of labour shorter. I'm inspired by jumping's experience with RL tea.

Anything to make any part of labour easier/shorter etc is very welcome Teapig thanks! Will be sending DH to get some in his lunch break
I have MW tomo, wonder if she will perform a sweep at 37+5 lol!

Hey ho more sitting and waiting I guess! Time to clean the house......again!

littlemiss house work is all I seem to lol I've been on maternity two weeks sms my brain is frazzled! Keep ringing dh for really pathetic excuses like....when you home? ...there is a cat watching your avery...what shall we have for tea ..lol as I'm so bored! Just not used to it!

I don't actually think its normal heartburn either! I feel like lava and fire are actually about to come out my nose and ears!

I got the r leaf t bags and make a pot in morning then cool it and drink through out day, u actually ok. Better than the bloody wheat grass I chugged to help get pregnant!

P.s is any one doing perenium rubs/stretching?

just had a sweep, cervix is so posterior she could barely find it!! That's what I was told on Weds too but seems it's still the same. They have to pull it right forward to sweep it. The midwife very nicely suggested its possible but unlikely that things will happen this week and I'm looking at another long haul pregnancy. She also said I might just have a few contractions a night for a week or so! I have an acupuncture session in the morning, feel pretty downhearted about walking around for another 10 days with this massive bump!

Cake- have half heartedly done a little bit of perenium rubbing with almond oil but can't really reach anymore

Oh no Jumping how upsetting especially since your over night contractions seemed so positive!!! :( Doesn't sound appealing having to pull the cervix forward....eeeekk! :) At least she gave it a go for you and you never know MW could be wrong and baby could be planning escape as we speak so hang in there!

cake I am sooooo bored its untrue!! Got to say not so bored that I will be trying anymore perenium massage. Did it religously with DS and still had 2nd degree tear :( Everyone is different though so would say give it a go if you think its right for you :) This time round I have opted for taking some EPO orally as it is supposed to help down there as well as encourage ripening of cervix so double bonus
And to add I agree with Jumping I can't actually see anymore if I have anything down there to rub!

jumping ooh that sounds uncomfortable..your body like hanging on to your dcs!! Really hope things get moving for you as I feel hideous lumbering around at 37+1

jumping and littlemiss with regards to the massage...I had to look in the mirror the other day to do some..ahem..trimming and I have a birthing book which actually suggests that DH can do it......LOL I read the instructions out to DH and when I looked up he had the stupidest grin on his face...so that went out the window and ive not mentioned it again! lol

jumping I know this might be the LAST thing on your mind but have you tried having an orgasm?

Thank you for the lovely support ladies, I do feel much better equipped to deal with it mentally this time, last time I was a sobbing mess by this point!! It's only really that I want a home birth that causes the time tension.

I def think the epo helps soften the cervix, I've been taking 1000mg daily and my cervix has been softer on sweeps than it was in last pregnancy (and they've also been loads less painful, not sure if that's due to being softer or me being more relaxed).

I did read somewhere that perenium massage makes more of a difference with your first than with subsequent babies. Maybe that's why I cant give it my all!

So- plan for today is acupuncture, long walk home, and jump on my DP demanding an orgasm . Must admit this is something I haven't tried (too huge!)

Ha ha ha glad your feeling in a better place jumping.

I didn't have a great night sleep last night, sleeping with a rock hard mountain me and dh snoring sufferring with a cold , when j finally did get off he woke me up to ask me to turn over as I was breathing in his face!!! Honestly is love to know where you get those fake pregnancy bellys from!

Good look today jumping!!!