11 days overdue - induction

[mojo002]

Hello everyone,

I'm writing here out of desperation as a first time overdue mim to be. I am now 11 days overdue and had a sweep yesterday. Went for an 1.5 hrs walk following that, lifted and unpacked lots of boxes as we just moved house and we also had sex. My cervix was really far back still but they managed to do the sweep regardless yesterday. I had no show, no bleeding and nothing happened. Today same active day, nothing happening. I have no hip, back or any kind of pain. I'm full of energy and able to everything. Not feeling anything like my body would go into labour. Why!?!? Why do they let me go 12 days overdue, tomorrow induction. I am so worried... I know it can 3 days to soften the cervix and I feel like I may just be that. I fear they will keep me in hospital which will put me in a really bad mental state..
I feel like a failure, I feel it's all my fault as we just moved house and I put myself under too much stress. Also, it's a nee built estate and work is still undergoing which means its prone to high robbery. We had someone in our backgarden the other night and saw people breaking into the site last night. This spooked me so bad I'm stressed to sleep. I ready high levels of cortisol can block oxytocine...
I'm so devastated it had to come to this! Induction and overdue...
So worried for baby!

Very sad first time mum to be.

Thank you for anyone that reply

Hey
Couldn't read and run, I've had 2 children (youngest is 18 weeks) and was induced with both. Firstly your baby being 'late' is not your fault or your babies. Its all not an exact science.
Providing your pregnancy is straight forward you could ask to just be monitored for a few days so you can leave hospital. Otherwise know your options - induction might be hormone pessary (which I had first time) or just having your waters broken (second time round).
Also take control of what you can - can a friend check on your house or stay there whilst you are in hospital? Have you got a birthing plan - a birth play list? Aromatherapy you'd like? Favourite thing to take with you?
You've got this, all will be fine and you'll have a gorgeous baby in your arms soon. Best of luck

Replying in the middle of the night because I’m feeding my very overdue first baby, who was induced just like yours. She’s beautiful and while we didn’t have the birth I imagined we made it safe and sound. I did a lot of reading beforehand and there’s no evidence that induced births are necessarily worse for baby. Although it’s natural to worry, your baby is still really safe however she comes out, and with induction they’ll be monitoring her carefully from the start.

My experience was that it did take a few days, but not all of that time is particularly intense so my partner could pop home even when I couldn’t. That might help with the house?

The other thing I’d say is keep in mind that you have choices all the way through an induction, including the choice to move to a c-section, pain relief options and as pp says some aspects of the environment. And none of those choices are a failure, you’re starting your job as a mum and doing the best for your baby and for you.

Congratulations - you’ll be meeting your baby soon!

How far do you live from the hospital? My hospital did outpatient inductions if you lived close enough and no other issues - means you can labour at home all going well. I would definitely ask!

I had an induction which was an out patient induction - definitely worth asking about

My baby was born 2 weeks over and it’s the longest two weeks in the world. She’s now a happy healthy toddler and I honestly don’t ever think about her birth or that time. It seems hard now but honestly, the birth is less than 1% of being a parent and however the baby comes will be magical and wonderful.

OP you’re not a failure!! Please be kind to yourself. Sometimes babies just need a bit of a push to come out. You’ve obviously got a very cosy environment in there!

From chatting with friends it seems that induction generally went quite quickly when they were overdue. All of the induction stories that have been more stressful have been when baby needed to arrive on or before the due date (and potentially not ready to arrive and quite small). When you are as far along as you are baby will be fully formed and probably a little extra push will get things moving fairly quickly. And if it doesn’t, as PP said, you have options at every stage. Don’t be afraid to voice what you want at every stage.

Hope it all goes ok, I know how stressful this stage can be. I went 2 weeks overdue with DC1 and they arrived on the day I was meant to be induced.

This is not your fault! We get sold some perfect birth plan but reality is babies come out when they do. I'm sorry it not going to plan. I had to go in for induction for my first during covid and decided my new birth plan was to go with the flow. Big hug, it won't be long til your little one is here!!

Agree with everyone else, an overdue baby is not your fault and you really shouldn't feel bad about it, it's just normal for some babies.

Also agree with Sazzle's suggestion of taking control of what you can.

Do ask someone to check your house and if the crime really is that bad, think about fitting a burglar alarm in the near future.

Ultimately though, possessions can be replaced if you were to be burglared, the baby won't care as long as you are there.

No advice just some solidarity. I'm 40+6 today, she tried to do a sweep but she couldn't get in because my cervix was shut. Trying again on Tuesday and then they'll induce next week. Feeling disappointed that I most likely won't get to experience natural labour and annoyed at my body for not playing ball. Lots of love xx

Sounds like you might needs some Raspberry Leaf Tea to soften things up there @CSR721

@PritiPatelsMaker will it still work if I start drinking it now? I wasn't sure if I'd left it too late tbh. Ive been putting clary sage oil in my baths but that doesn't seem to have made any difference.

I'd start now yes. It won't bring labour on but it can help things along once you get started.

With DC2 the MW actually asked me if I'd been drinking it as she said she could tell. She said it would be quick and it was less than 5 hours from the first contraction.

So yea, give it a go!

*yes

@PritiPatelsMaker thank you I'll get some x