Throwing away birth plan. Meh.

[FlossyCat]

Apologies I just need to whinge, don't know what I expect from this thread. For months I have imagined having a natural birth, in the MLU with minimal intervention. I'm now 40+5, went for a sweep today which was unsuccessful because midwife could barely reach my 'very posterior' cervix, baby's head is not engaged and not in a position to get hormones going. Feeling deflated and need a little sympathy! Has anyone had an unsuccessful sweep or been told baby is not coming anytime soon, then gone into labour soon after spontaneously? Wasn't expecting to end up being induced and now feel like ripping my naive birth plan out my notes.

I've had more reflexology and a sweep today. Apparently progressing sloooowly. Got to go to hospital tomorrow but I don't think they will make me have an induction (40+12) so I hope I can wait till I'm 42 at least before go down the induction route. I hope i wont be bullied into it. Cross fingers for everyone else still waiting x

Glad things are progressing Anotherbitofcake :) I haven't tried reflexology yet, but did a reflexology course a few years ago so could try it on myself (if I can still reach my feet). Having another sweep tomorrow and was told to ask midwife to book in for induction next week. What are they doing at hospital tomorrow?
What was acupuncture like ZenNudist?

I am sorry to hear that, if I were you I would be pushing for a c-section. Same thing happened to me and ended up with an EMCS. Not fun.

You could try a motherblessing or blessing way info here

Glad to hear you're going to "be positive and revise my birth plan" and "stop thinking of it as being overdue when it's perfectly normal"

• both those things sound great, definitely the way to go!

Good luck to all

if u don't want to be induced you don't have to. bullied or otherwise. ur body n u know what's best but be prepared to know yourself when enough is enough

Hadn't heard of a blessing way Hazchem, lovely idea though, didn't want a baby shower as that's not really me but will remember this for next time (hoping there will be a dc2 in the future!).

Had another failed sweep yesterday and hospital appt booked Monday when I will be 41+4, hopefully get some questions answered then.

Any news Another? x

Yes! Freddie born two days ago. I ended up being induced with pessary but went into labour with that then went on to have a waterbirth and deemed low risk still. Unfort the end was not quite as expected as had to have emergency forceps but still got skin to skin straight away. My take on it now is that you just never know what will happen in birth either even if you dont have to b induced and whatever happens you have done amazingly well and you have a baby
I tried thinking through what I would do if had to go on drip - positions to help, still getting skin to skin, just going with epidural etc as that made me feel less upset and worried by it all

Good luck xxx

Forgot to say. My hosp policy was that anything over 42 was high risk so therefore wouldn't have been allowed in pool anyway so I took decision to start induction at 40+12 as they still let u use pool if labour induced with pessary or water ruptures. So see what yr hospital says as that will help you make a choice x

Forgot to say. My hosp policy was that anything over 42 was high risk so therefore wouldn't have been allowed in pool anyway so I took decision to start induction at 40+12 as they still let u use pool if labour induced with pessary or water ruptures. So see what yr hospital says as that will help you make a choice x

Congratulations anotherbitofcake
And welcome to the world Freddie (great name!)
Glad you went for the pool, water is a comfort I think?

I have a failed attempted sweep at 40+7 with DD2. My cervix was very closed, very posterior and I was sobbing with the pain (that isn't common - I find internals agony, my current birth plan says no internals without gas and air!).

Labour started the evening of +8 and I had DD2 by early morning of +9.

Congratulations Another, glad you got to have a water birth!

I had another sweep today which was more successful, in that midwife could reach and get a finger inside cervix this time. Am booked in for induction tomorrow when I will be 40+12, had such a lovely midwife and good care when I went for scan today that I am feeling more positive. Also reassured to know baby is average size and doesn't have a head shaped like Stewie from Family Guy :)

Still holding out a little hope it could happen naturally overnight...

Thanks for all your replies ladies x

Good news then at least you know you'll be meeting your little person soon.
I was induced 6 months ago with my 2nd and it was much better than my 1st 'natural' birth.
Good luck its an exciting time !!!

Congratulations Another! Glad it went your way in some respects and Freddie got here safe and sound!

Good luck Flossy I've got my fingers crossed for you!