Please give me hope! Did anyone have an unfavourable cervix at 41 weeks and go into labour naturally?

[mummabubs]

I'm 41 weeks today and have been for my second stretch and sweep. I had my first on Thursday, and the student midwife who performed it said that although my cervix was posterior and not effaced it was "very soft, 1cm dilated and definitely labourable". The midwife at the hospital today was surprised I'd been told this and said my cervix is definitely unfavourable. She said to be honest the chance of me going into labour in the next 48 hours is virtually zilch and fully expects me to need the two additional sweeps she's booked for Monday and Wednesday next week. (Induction booked for Friday).

I'm beyond gutted and have been very tearful since the appointment. Baby is well engaged and in the right place so feel like it's my body letting us down. I've been really hoping for a low-intervention water birth on the MLU so being induced is something I'd really, really like to avoid. I feel right now like I might as well kiss my original birth dream goodbye and accept I'll probably have to have a much longer, more intense stay in a very clinical hospital environment and need more interventions.

.... Can anyone brighten my day by telling me that they were told their cervix was unfavourable at 41 weeks but still went into labour naturally before 42 weeks? (After 42 weeks even if I go naturally I can't have my MLU birth). Thanks in advance!

[mummabubs]

My little boy is a week old today @daisyrosie! I ended up feeling bullied into accepting an induction at 41+5 weeks (which in subsequent pregnancies I definitely wouldn't accept and would stand my ground more!) I only needed the lowest dose of pessary to kick start things and my waters went naturally after that so I must have been so close to going into labour naturally! 🙈

I managed to get to fully dilated on just gas and air and a TENS machine but after 3.5 hours of pushing they found out my baby was back to back with their cord wrapped round their neck 3 times and their arm was pinned up in one of the loops, so there was no way I could birth him myself. We were rushed to theatre, I was prepped for c sec but in the end he came out with forceps and an episiotomy. We're at home recovering now, but I know next time I'd refuse induction as my placenta was still perfectly healthy and he was a normal weight (7lb 11). Having to go through the first stage of labour on a shared ward with women shouting and crying in pain all around me is not an experience I want to repeat!! Hope you and your little one are doing well DaisyRosie 😊

[FlaviaAlbia]

Oh my, you had it tough mummabubs Congratulations on your little boy though!

In case you haven't been told about it, distilled witch hazel poured onto maternity pads is incredibly soothing for grazes and stitches. I went through bottles of the stuff, it's marvellous.

[NameChangedAndForgotOldName]

I gave birth to my 3rd child on my living room floor 15 mins after being told I wasn't dilated at all.

[mummabubs]

Ooo thank you @FlaviaAlbia, I'll have to grab some 😊 The physical recovery from the episiotomy is definitely the hardest part so far in my experience.

[OriginalMoo]

So happy for you @mummbubs. Def gonna stand my ground. I'm 41weeks today with a second sweep booked for Thursday.

[mummabubs]

Do @OriginalMoo! I think as he is my first child I chickened at the last minute but if I'd known what induction in hospital would look like I'd have 100% stood my ground and gone for monitoring. I know everyone has different experiences and some have really positive experiences of induction but for me being able to spend the first part of labour in the comfort of my own home that would be worth the wait!

[daisyrosie]

Congratulations @mummabubs! I hope you are recovering well from the birth and settling in well at home. Well done for being able to give birth naturally in the end. It sounds like you had a tough labour.

My baby is 13 days old now, we are settling into a routine at home. He has a slight tongue tie which has only just been diagnosed so we’re waiting for an appointment to sort that, but otherwise things are going well.

[2kidsandoneintheoven]

I had the same thing at 41 weeks with my 2nd - couldn’t really sweep me as cervix closed. 3 days later had the baby. Now 2 days overdue with my 3rd and hoping he/she will come a little earlier!