11 days overdue ... feeling put under pressure by midwife/registrar who don't seem to hear what I am saying - advice please

[LaidbackinEngland]

I am 41 + 3 days today with my third DS. First DS was straightforward hospital delivery 8lb 4, Second DS was home birth 10lb 4, mild shoulder dystocia and 3rd degree tear - well healed, no further problems. Gave birth before EDD on both occassions.

I have been booked for a home birth with this DS and am keen to proceed with minimum intervention. Have declined sweep at this stage. Had to see senior midwife in hospital today for foetal monitoring. Baby fine, BP fine - no concerns. Midwife announced " we will be doing a sweep today " I declined. Put lots of pressure on me to be booked in for an induction.

My argument is that if the baby and I are healthy - why meddle at this point.

Registrar was busy, so midwife phoned me later after they had been discussing my situation and she is suggesting an elective caesarian or planned episiotomy. Which part of 'I don't want any intervention at this point' do they not understand ?

I am booked for more monitoring tomorrow and an appt. with the consultant. Anyone have any evidence based research I can have up my sleeve as I fear I will face further bullying tomorrow.

I am not a "natural birth at all costs" woman but thought I could at least go until after the weekend without interference .

Any advice welcome .

Interesting your midwives are not concerned about the shoulder dystocia, having had my last at home with shoulder dystocia my midwife (who is very pro home birth) told me I should have any future children in hospital. She said a bigger baby is more likely in a later pregnancy and that increases the risk of shoulder dystocia along with a previous incidence. If your baby is overdue that will also increase the likelyhood. Having read up on it since DD's birth I wouldn't take the posibility of another incidence lightly.

completely agree boogee. had mild (i think) shoulder dystocia with DD3 who was 1 week overdue and 9lb2 (bigger than both my others). My MW said afterwards it was a good job i hadn't had a HB (which she was keen on and we weren't). did some research afterwards - dangerous i know - and scared myself silly about what could have happened.

Muminfife - wish those bloodflow scans etc were more available, then more women would be able to be reassured to carry on naturally, rather than intervention. You were so lucky to have your homebirth like that. I am sure there are plenty of people here

Thanks for everyone's advice and opinions. I saw the consultant this morning was monitored for an hour., he chechked the baby/fluid/placenta and everything looks healthy. He is happy to let me continue over the weekend and come in for further monitoring and/or sweep on Monday. He was very relaxed and happy for me to continue with home birth plans.

Off to start operation 'hurry up baby' , curry, pineapple sexathon

obviously pineapple and sexathon rather than sexathon with a pineapple

LOL!! really glad you have the weekend to get things started!! you need to eat 7 pineapples to get the enzyme effect needed to ripen the cervix!! stock up on gaviscon !

Evening primrose oil helps as well take it orally and you can put one capsule inside vagina for over night. It helps the cervix to get ready.
Good luck

7 pineapples lulu, really?

Raspberry leaf?

well I had one pineapple and started contractions within an hour BUT I did have P{ROM at the time so must have been ready anyway...

Still no baby here for me - and beleive me I have been trying

Please send more baby vibes !

Relieved that you found one consultant who is reasonable.

If not a sweep how about a check to see if your cervix is ripe etc
if it is then a sweep may be a reasonable course of action to kick of a natural start to labour
I had one with dd after a false alarm at 37 +5, midwife checked "inside"and said I was ready to go, would I like a sweep.
I said oh ok then
2 days later after a quick easy labour dd arrived bang on 38 wks
I am also a fight intervention unless it's definitely required lass, but feel happy that it went the way it did.
I am really praying that this ends up going well for you Laidback

Thanks piffle that is so kind... when I looked at the list of 'reasons why to induce' - the only criteria I met was 'over 41 weeks' ... I think I will let them examine me tomorrow and maybe have a sweep.

sounds like a plan,let us know what happens x

I have to say I hate sweeps and I am a midwife! If you are ready to labour you will start anyway. Sweeps can be very uncomfortable (if done correctly) and often instead of labour starting you get cramps and spotting, raising worry levels. I would only have a sweep the day before actually going into hospital for induction.

Hiya - reflexology worked for me (and hiding from doctors . Good luck, it's horrible just waiting.

My mate went to the comedy club when she was overdue, she laughed a lot and her waters broke - then we all laughed!!!

My Tagline on is 'just say "no" to induction' after much research on the matter.

And I cancelled induction booked for 42wks scan or 40+5 lmp. You ARE allowed to refuse, it's your body, your baby, your birth!

Trust your instincts!

Morning everyone ! Your baby vibes worked !

I did it !

Woke up with pains about 2.45am. Woke up DH. Ran a bath. Contractions started happening quickly and painfully. DH phoned midwife. She arrived at 3.20. I had three huge and very painful contractions whilst standing up and leaning over the birthing ball. My mum ran out to the car to get the midwife's things but before she got back, I breathed him out gently and have just a small 1st degree tear for my troubles. No time for any pain relief ! ! I couldn't have asked for an easier time ... it all happened in less than an hour.

He weighs 8lbs 8oz and is absolutely adorable. We are calling him Amos. He is feeding well.

Had great joy in phoning the hospital to tell them I wouldn't be coming in for a sweep

How wonderful! Well done and congratulations to all.

Congratulations - that is brilliant news Labour started probably you chilled out after the support for MN

FROM mumsnet I meant

How absolutely bloomin' wonderful. And quite small considering their dystocia/big baby concerns.

My friend went 9 days over with all three of hers and all three came the morning of planned sweeps/inductions/monitoring. The very best way of saying no thanks to interference clearly.

Well done, straightforward (easy?! ) and lovely name. Very pleased for you.

What a great birth story

So glad it worked out for you.

Congratulations on the birth of Amos