I'm in hospital on the antenatal ward, being induced via pessary at 40 weeks today due to advanced maternal age (I'm 41, pass me my zimmer). This is DC2. DC1 was a planned homebirth at 39+2, really lovely and intimate and I felt in control and relaxed (well, some of the time) which helped make it fairly swift - stage 1 labour: 5 hours, stage 2: 15 minutes.
This, on the other hand, is the polar opposite of the kind of birth I wanted. I asked for homebirth, consultant and I settled on birth centre if spontaneous labour occurred before 40 wks, but now we're on the induction path I so wanted to avoid. Noisy antenatal ward. Nowhere to be active, just a bed to slump on, full of people who are genuinely ill or need monitoring because of a proper condition...and me, who is fine (textbook boring pregnancy, no issues) apart from being a year over some arbitrary line. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.
I was so convinced I'd swerve this induction by going into labour spontaneously over Christmas or new year. Been having reflexology, bouncing on the ball, RLT, keeping upright and active. Lots of BH, and backache. Had two sweeps (38+5 + 39+5) but nada. And now I'm stuck in hospital as a patient until I go into labour, in the least relaxing or conducive place to do so. Feels like the stress is actively working against me here.
Pessary went in at 1.30 and nothing to report yet. Once it gets started I'll feel less gloomy but there are so many stories out there about propess being ineffective. If I have to go through a second day of this I'll be climbing the walls.
Please cheer me up with your tales of happy, swift induction for second babies at 40 weeks. Or imaginary baskets of kittens. Whichever you have to hand.