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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Feel like I'm never going to go into labour....

39 replies

leo1978 · 01/06/2007 21:42

Hi there

Am 40+6 today. Had acupuncture yesterday, a pregnancy massage the day before and a 'failed' sweep today (midwife couldn;t reach my cervix). Have been doing the sex, the pineapple, the raspberry leaf tea etc etc but NOTHING!!!!!!

I feel like I am never going to go into labour naturally and that an induction is inevitable - plans for home birth drifting away. If anything, any pre labour signs have ground to a halt. Has anyone felt the same only to go into labour the next day???

Struggling with frustration as you can probably tell. How can I keep the faith???

Thanks :-)

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modsaluk · 01/06/2007 21:44

I went to the doctors on the day i went into labour and was booked in for my sweep was 40 + 5 felt the same it was never going to happen and getting quite upset at the thought of having to be induced, at midnight i went into labour. Gave birth 12 hours later dont lose hope of that home birth just yet.

beansprout · 01/06/2007 21:45

It's so hard. I was 16 days late with ds (sorry!) but I really felt like it was never going to happen, esp when people who were due 2 weeks after me were popping off into labour!

Comments like "it will happen soon!!" were not much consolation so I won't say much, but I do feel your pain!!

Good luck when it does finally happen though.

2Happy · 01/06/2007 21:50

Poor you. I went 40+14 with ds1 and 40+12 (induced) with ds2 and it stinks. You get sooooooo sick of "it'll be over soon" or "make the most of not having a baby while you can" or "are you still pg?!" comments. And so sick of every day waking up wondering "will it be today" or overinterpreting every twitch, tightening, stain in your pants ! Hope it happens soon for you!

Snaf · 01/06/2007 21:52

Hang on in there. You're doing all the right stuff - I'd add nipple stimulation to your list and if you've got a birthing ball, have a gentle bounce on that

40+6 is still early. When is your induction booked for? Is it your first baby?

You can request expectant management (scans, dopplers, daily monitoring) if you don't want medical induction.

Try not to 'overthink' it, iyswim. Just try to relax and visualise yourself starting labour naturally. Good luck!

Snaf · 01/06/2007 21:54

Oh, btw, I went 10 days over - labour started naturally a few hours before the induction was due to!

Klaw · 01/06/2007 21:55

My VBAC was 42+1 scan and I cancelled the induction booked for 42wks thank goodness! It will happen but it is VERY frustrating waiting, plan something nice every day till 42+ weeks - pedicure, lunch with friend, massage from dh, etc, and most of all try to stop worrying about it so that you relax, chill and suddenly you will be in labour!

What's the betting labour starts tonight? LOL

You won't be officially overdue till 42+ weeks but I do understand, and know, how hard the wait is, so big hugs from me!

Original poster
leo1978 · 01/06/2007 21:56

I know - I never thought I would be excited at the prospect of a stain in my pants 2Happy :-) It's so strange though - I didn;t expect I would feel like this if I went overdue. I was in tears this morning and had to put eyeshadow on to hide it from thw midwife. Sadly ended up looking more demented!

OP posts:
Mrsjaffabiffa · 01/06/2007 22:09

I saw my MW for a sweep at 39+3 (In France) She told me she didn't think things were ready yet and that the sweep would do nothing. She would see me the week after and try again. I went into Labour the next day. I know this won't help and not what you want to here but it really wont be long now and the waiting will all be worth it when you have your bundle in your arms.

Good Luck

lulumama · 01/06/2007 22:11

nothing to add really !

hang on in there, have a lovely warm bath,with nice bubbles, light some candles, and really visualise the birth you want. and have some more sex and nipple stim!!

vespertine · 01/06/2007 22:33

I'm afraid i haven't got any advice to add tbh but if it helps I'm in exactly the same boat as you, 40+6 today and very few signs that anything is going to happen soon. I'm booked in for an induction on Tuesday, which is my birthday of all days! So just think, things could be worse! REALLY hoping something happens this weekend - Anyway remember your baby will have to arrive eventually - good luck to you....

LynetteScavo · 01/06/2007 22:41

Hang in there! Your baby will come soon. I've been overdue 3 times 12, 11(induced)and 11 days. I had accupuncture with 3rd PG and I went into labour exactly 24 hours later. The only sign that you're ready for labour is when you find yourself sobbing and begging to God for mercy, because you can't take any more. Be brave! Your baby will come. You have my deepest sympathy.

LynetteScavo · 01/06/2007 22:42

Oh, and go for a walk in hot weather. Hope it's fine tommorow.

Original poster
leo1978 · 01/06/2007 22:47

Thanks everyone - you've made me feel loads better. Vespertine - sending you lots of positive labour vibes. Going to try the visualisation tonight xx

OP posts:
Indith · 02/06/2007 10:55

Hopefully the visulisation worked last night leo!

I gave birth at home at 5am at 42 weeks exactly with an induction booked for that evening. don't give up!

numptysmummy · 02/06/2007 11:50

I went overdue by 19 days with ds1 and was induced and with ds2 i went into labour naturally at 21 days over. (My due date and 12wk scan date both exactly the same so was that late!). It will happen - honest!

NineUnlikelyTales · 02/06/2007 11:52

Morning Leo1978
I felt just the same as you with DS (8m). I did go into labour all by myself and he was very well, even if he was somewhat late (40+16).

Your body will go into labour when it is ready. I know everyone says this but do try to relax and save your mental/physical energy for when you are in labour. It won't be long now, I promise

NineUnlikelyTales · 02/06/2007 11:53

Doh I miscalculated DS birthdate...he was actually 40+20

Eddas · 02/06/2007 12:13

I have 2 dc's went overdue with both. Didn't really get any pre labour warnings.

with dd i was induced at 40+10, with ds was going to be induced at 40+10 but the hospital were too busy. I went into labour all by myself that evening(was so very proud)so don't give up hope it may well be just around the corner

I so know just how you feel having been there twice. all i can say is try to keep busy so you don't keep thinking about it. It WILL happen, the baby WILL come out.

I've come to the conclusion that my babies just need an extra few days in the warmth and cosiness i must provide

madeindevon2 · 02/06/2007 13:44

i totally understand where you are coming from
today i am 10 days overdue and have no signs of baby arriving. i have had 2 sweeps and acupuncture so far
having another sweep tomorrow and reflexology and more acupunture on monday
im booked for indution on tuesday (40 + 13) but really hoping i manage to go naturally before that.....
its sooo frustrating isnt it....(currently bouncing on ball drinking raspberry leaf tea!)

foxybrown · 02/06/2007 13:51

Am popping in from Due in June to send you some labour vibes - the only thing worse than your due date coming and going is each day after! I went 10 days over with my last one and it was so hard! I really do sympathise with you.

This time I'll be trying mango juice, a homeopathic remedy called Caulphyllium, clary sage, bouncing on the ball, long walks, sex, visualisation, and any assistance the MW offers.

Good luck, will be looking out for your birth announcement

foxybrown · 02/06/2007 13:54

NineUnlikelyTales, can I ask as an aside, did you have to insist on being left until you went into labour by yourself and did you get support in it? Or were your MWs OK about it?

NineUnlikelyTales · 03/06/2007 09:01

Not at all (and I was spoiling for a fight as well)

A midwife came to see me at home at 40+10 to try a sweep but my cervix wasn't favourable so she said "right so we'll book you for induction on Monday then." I said er, no actually I'd rather wait and she looked a bit taken aback but arranged for me to see a consultant the following week. He was very reasonable and didn't pressure me at all. He just gave me the statistics (which I already knew) about still births and asked me how much longer I wanted to wait. I said another week and he said he was happy with that. He couldn't give me a sweep because my cervix still wasn't ready. They did a trace for an hour and DS was fine so that was it.

I was booked to give birth on the MW led unit and was a bit worried they wouldn't have me as DS was so late, but they were fine with it. In fact when I went to speak to a MW she was so repectful of my decision and so reassuring that I relaxed a lot, and I was fortunate to have that MW during labour.

It just goes to show that they aren't all against waiting for nature to take its course, though I did meet one who obviously thought I was reckless. I must have been unusual though - the consultant had a whole room full of juniors with him during our meeting!

tortoiseSHELL · 03/06/2007 09:05

I went 10,14 and 8 days over with my three. I thought dd was never going to come (she was the 14 days over) and I did have to see a consultant to check things were ok (our induction day is 12 days over). But there was no pressure to have an induction once I said I didn't want to.

Katy44 · 03/06/2007 09:12

I was told at 40+1 by my MW that she thought I'd be at my next weekly appointment, given my cervix, and how engaged the baby's head was. That was on the Tuesday.
I had absolutely no signs at all until less than 48 hours before T was born - started having contractions on the Wednesday night. He was born Friday afternoon. So I know the feeling well, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you will go way overdue
Hope things start happening for you soon - I'll keep a lookout

wheresthevalium · 03/06/2007 09:23

I was booked in for an induction at 40+12, and went into labour naturally on 40+11, so hopefully only another few days for you.

I know it's awful, I was HUGELY frustrated that DD1 wouldn't make an appearance, the only advice I can offer is clary sage oil (diluted heavily with a base oil) massaged into your bump and back, my local health shop gave it to me, but only afte I took along mt book showing I had gone over my EDD. Maybe worth a try?