Overdue and miserable :-( what worked for you?

[Teatimecakes]

40+4 wks today. I know it's only a little bit over but this pregnancy has been stressful and due to a previous section my options are natural labour or elcs - which I'm desperate to avoid. Consultant is great and isn't imposing any hard and fast section date - yet. But Mondays appointment is likely to change that. So what got your dc on the move? Willing to try anything! Thanks.

[Teatimecakes]

Unfortunately, my local hospital has one of the lowest vbac rates and highest section rates in the country. Hence the money spent on the independent midwife.

[batmanandrobin]

any sign of this baby yet???

[PassTheCremeEggs]

Teatimecakes - I know you say you want to avoid a CS but just wanted to share my experience. I had an EMCS with my first after a long (induced) labour at 40+12. It was a crash section that required a general anaesthetic and it was awful.

I wanted to VBAC right up to about 36 weeks with my second when I changed my mind because I couldn't bear the thought of it happening again. I had an ELCS and honestly it was absolutely the best experience. I knew a VBAC wouldn't be the perfect natural delivery I would have wanted because of all the required monitoring etc, so this for me was the best way. It was calm, peaceful and so so happy. The screen was lowered at delivery, and I held him skin to skin the whole time I was being stitched up - the anaesthetist agreed to remove the monitoring oafs from my chest so I could hold him, on the strict instructions I told him if I felt even slightly odd.

Recovery was so much faster than with EMCS.

It's worth thinking about. I'm so glad I changed my mind last minute. But if you do go VBAC route I really hope you get the delivery you want. Good luck.

(Oh and nothing, nothing, nothing worked with getting DC1 moving. If they're not ready, they're not ready!)

[PassTheCremeEggs]

Whoops - motioning pads obviously, not monitoring oafs!

[PassTheCremeEggs]

OMFG - monitoring not motioning!

[Teatimecakes]

I've been having bouts of mild contractions since Tuesday morning but the keep stopping. Midwife is confident that I'm in early labour and have had a bit of show too. Just a waiting game now x

[StarlightMcKenzie]

A long 'mild' early labour is supposed to mean a short efficient main event iirc.

[Teatimecakes]

I read that too - let's hope so x

[Teatimecakes]

Still nothing significant happening. Am utterly miserable now.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Sit on the loo or a chair backwards and read an erotic novel. Seriously.

And avoid stress by reminding yourself that your baby is still living their life as they are supposed to, but currently feeding themselves and cleaning their own bum.

[RumAppleGinger]

tea my heart goes out to you. Baths, walking and intermittent crying are perhaps now the way forward. So sorry, you must be so frustrated.

[Teatimecakes]

So frustrated. And worried. And pissed off. Now 11 days over due, day 4 of stop/start labour. Crying hourly. Just so f#*ked off.

Im starting to think baby is telling me that this isn't meant to be. Maybe she's too big to fit (ds was 9lb 7oz at 39 +2)? And this is my body's way of saying it can't happen naturally. Ds turned transverse at 39 + 1 and 2 true knots were found in his cord at c section. Trying to push him out if he'd remained vertical would have been fatal. Maybe this is a sign too? Midwife is coming today so will talk/sob to her about what we do next :-(

[batmanandrobin]

oh my darling i am sending you cuddles and best wishes! i can only imagine how truly horrible you're finding this, but remain positive and go into midwife appointment with your glass half full. you want to try going into labour naturally, and if you're in a safe environment you'll have the help there if something goes wrong. 11 days over must be horrific. get some answers from your midwife so you can meet this gorgeous baby!!!!

big baby kisses xxx

[Teatimecakes]

Thank you. It's so frustrating. Every time the contractions get going, I start getting my hopes up then they stop again.

[PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein]

Stop/start labour is still labour. Every contraction, no matter how mild, is working towards pulling your cervix up and open, even if it is just a small amount. There is a lot of work for your uterus to do, and some take it slower than others. Hope your midwife can reassure you about your baby's position xx

[Aquilla]

Nipple twiddling. Try it!

[Teatimecakes]

Saw the mw - baby is doing great :-) just a waiting game

[batmanandrobin]

excellent news! i have heard that adrenaline works against contractions so try not to get too excited try a hot curry and a nice hot bath tonight.. relax yourself as those sleepless nights feeding are nearing!!!

[123Jump]

I know it is hard teatime, but try to relax. With DC3 I was overdue, and had pessary to start labour.
After 2 days of pessaries I was fed up. Nothing happening.
I refused the drip/epidural/break waters option they suggested and discharged myself. I was thoroughly fed up.
But baby was happy as larry!
Once, I got home I had a bath, a snooze, totally relaxed....and then heard a pop like a balloon!
DC 3 born 90 mins later, naturally. Once I relaxed it seemed to all come so easily...
Easier said than done I know!
Good luck.

[Teatimecakes]

Thanks for sharing - I'm really trying to chill out, so much easier said than done isn't it? X

[batmanandrobin]

how's things? any baby? you must be nearly 2wk over now?

[Teatimecakes]

2 weeks by scan date, 1week and 1 day by my ovulation date and by LMP if my long cycle is taken into account.
I'm meeting the consultant tomorrow to discuss my options. I really thought it'd be all over by now and I'd have my baby girl. My body just won't go into labour xx

[batmanandrobin]

just think, this time next week you WILL have you baby girl in your arms. you've done the hardest bit and brewed for 10 months.. this is just the final hurdle! really hope it goes well with consultant. thinking of you zx

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I was 12 days overdue by my ovulation/Long LMP cycle stuff. I have no idea what that was by scan date. I think it was 19 days as not only did the scan put me 5 days ahead of the computer but the sonographer actually wrote it down wrong too.

The 19 days shock up the HCPs a bit but I refused to discuss it as a real date and even changed my notes myself. My body is not a computer programme or a policy.

By my dates I never even made it to 42 weeks, and sure enough I did go into labour.