Any tips to avoid induction?

[mamaAJ]

I'd really like to avoid an induced labour if possible.
I'm currently 35 weeks pregnant, is there anything I can do or start doing now in order to avoid going over 41 weeks (my trust only allow 1 week over before induction)?

TIA x

Hi OP, I don't have any advice on bringing on labour but please remember that you don't have to have an induction at all if you don't want one (I'm the same, have made it clear that I don't want this. I'm 37 weeks).
And they cannot "allow" or "not allow" anything either, this it entirely your decision. Nobody can perform a procedure on you that you don't want.

I received alsorts of advice from well meaning friends and family which ranged from sex and nipple rubbing to eating tins of peaches and pineapples. Nothing worked!
That said with my first I was saved from induction at the very last minute when my waters went of their own accord whilst I was waiting.

It is YOUR decision if you have an induction or not, they can't force you, and they certainly can't deny you medical assistance if you choose to go past 41 weeks. Baby will come when it's ready, it's not going to stay in there forever, the best thing you can do is relax and get your oxytocin flowing! I was offered sweeps at every appointment once I got to 37 weeks and I declined them all, I was then told I would be booked in for an induction at my next midwife appointment, I would have been 41+3 at that point. I refused and labour started the day of the appointment.

(my trust only allow 1 week over before induction)

No, they don't. They can offer you induction at 41 weeks but that's all they can do. I went in with reduced movements at 40+5. I was monitored and the baby was fine but they were so keen to induce me there and then. I declined and went into labour spontaneously at 40+9. I'm so grateful I held off. Keep moving, get out walking and doing anything you can to relax. You need to keep that oxytocin flowing - good luck

Well they offer you an induction. And book it in because it requires a bed etc that needs planned for.
However you don't have to go for it.

However why they do this booking process?
Because live births stats fall off a cliff after that. That's why. Because the results of the mothers to give birth before you has that result.

Up to you to go with best practice or not.
But I would recommend an epidural if getting an induction.

You can opt for a c section instead of an induction. You can decline the induction and ask for regular monitoring in the mean time.

But there isnt much you can do to prevent going "overdue", otherwise everyone would be doing it!

There is a pamphlet called 'Inducing Labour: Making Informed Decisions' that you can buy from aims.org.uk which gives you all the evidence for and against inductions and I found it very useful - I decided against induction twice, and gave birth at around 41 weeks both times, but there are some risks and I had to a) make sure I understood those and accepted them and b) make my case clearly and firmly with my doctors and request regular monitoring.

I tried everything to get little man out but he wasn't coming! Got to day of booked induction at 41+1 and he started himself off so induction avoided.
It was more when I relaxed and accepted he'd come on his own that he did! Dates are just estimates too so you're not definitely overdue when you think