Has anyone managed to convince doctors that due date is wrong, to stave off induction?

[confusedgirlfromtheShire]

On my last birth four years ago, my due date given by the scans tallied with the date I conceived perfectly, but my cervix was rubbish and totally not ready even at 40+ 12 when they induced me. Long cascade of intervention followed and for lots of physical and mental health reasons I don't want to go there again.

This time, I am allegedly due tomorrow as per dates from 13 and 20 week scans. Counting back the weeks this means they think I conceived on about day 10 of my cycle, several days before I actually had sex and about five days before I ovulated. I recorded all of this at the time thinking it might be useful! So I think my due date is more like 7th-9th Sept. Got checked yesterday and my cervix is not doing anything. At all. Doubt it will be ready by 40+12 either (40+ 7 by my dates) which is when they have said they will induce me (different hospital this time). I am assuming nothing I do will help to bring on labour, although I have started pumping colostrum on midwife's advice.....

I don't want to put the baby at risk of course - can I ask them to do a scan of the baby and placenta to check all is ok, and then try to convince them to hold off for a few extra days by setting out the facts - has this ever worked for anyone? I don't want to be bloodyminded without being sure baby is still ok in there. Problem is, I really wanted to go into the MLU and after 42 weeks by scan date they will not allow it, so I will be up in the CLU. If they agreed to change my due date I might be ok. If not, my plan is to allow just one pessary and if that does nothing to refuse all further intervention and get a C-section on physical and mental health grounds. Do you think they would agree to this?

Would be great to hear any views/experiences.

[ZebraZeebra]

Well done you sleepy I wish I'd had that kind of strength. I'd read all your advice but they put me under such duress (your baby is going to die if you don't agree right now) that I crumbled. At 9am they said it had to happen immediately, 15 hours later they still hadn't started it. Me, believing it was an emergency, was hysterical.

This time around I have a doula at least helping me research and find information to balance their approach of only an induction is the right decision, and she will also help me get my voice across.

[confusedgirlfromtheShire]

An update! I went in for an "attempt at induction if cervix is favourable" on Monday this week. I had had three sweeps by this point which put my bishop score at 5 or 6 each time - not favourable enough for me. On Monday the hospital again put it at 6, gave me a quick sweep and then said they could break my waters and if that didn't work, they'd put me on the drip as "well, that's what you've come in for, to be induced". I said Hell no! and we walked out.

Braxton Hicks following the sweep turned into latent labour at 2am Tuesday, went to the hospital at 10am, labour took another 13 hours to get established and I delivered a gorgeous baby boy in the birthing centre with gas and air only (crazy fool, considering he weighed 10 and a half pounds) at 5am on Wednesday. Got home that night and things going great so far.

Thanks to all who posted on my thread with your helpful advice