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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Could it really be possible that I may never go into labour? That my body just CAN'T do it...

78 replies

paranoidmummy · 07/04/2008 09:38

Ok, so I am currently overdue with my 2nd baby (40+10 by private dates, 40+1 by NHS scan and 40+4 by my own dates! - all very confusing in itself!). With my 1st baby I went 6 days overdue before having a hindwater leak followed by NO contractions. They induced me on the drip at 8 days overdue which ended in an emcs for failure to progress.So I NEVER ever started contracting on my own...

This time around I have been determined to have a vbac but I am now really starting to question my body's ability to actually do this . Is it true that some people just won't go into spontaneous labour???

I have had numerous false alarms and some quite painful, regular contractions. However my midwife came to do a sweep yesterday and could barely reach my cervix . It was 'very posterior', 'closed' and 'thick' BOO HISS BOO

I have tried EVERY single natural trick out there but obviously nothing has made the slightest bit of diff . I had acupuncture and reflexology as well which didn't do anything... my reflexologist said my uterus appeared soft and ready which really cheered me up and made me think things were imminent but no.. nothing.

Please don't get me wrong, I know this is hardly the biggest problem in the world and I thank god I have been lucky enough to carry a baby to full term and not to have it prematurely or anything. I suffered two miscarriages prior to conceiving this baby so I really am grateful to reach this stage.

I am just seriously wondering now if it may be that my body doesn't know 'how' to go into labour. i know it may sound ridiculous but my midwife did seem to imply that some people would never go into labour without medical intervention . I have an appointment with my cons on thurs for a cervical assessment and to book in for an 'elective' (hardly!) caesarean. Now I am starting to wonder if I should book it for sooner rather than later. I am just holding out for something that will NEVER happen? Any experiences or advice will be greatly appreciated.

Sorry for such a rant, I'm just very confused!!!!

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Jackstini · 09/04/2008 16:33

Am sending lots of hope your way too. Glad your m/w is supporting your wish to wait. Consultant will just have to lump it if he wants to book you in tomorrow

VictorianSqualor · 09/04/2008 18:33

Could always do what I did, book it up then rearrange. So much easier than arguing

(My CS was booked for today, I called yesterday and said I needed to rearrange it, mw spoke to my cons, then called me back with my new date)

Jackstini · 09/04/2008 21:52

So what's your new date VS - is there still a chance you may go into labour anyway or is it elective cs?

VictorianSqualor · 09/04/2008 23:01

New date is 15th, unless I go into labour before then then it will be a natural birth.

Jackstini · 10/04/2008 09:04

Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you then

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 10/04/2008 12:25

ok... so i have 'agreed' to have ONE DOSE of prostin gel as a last ditch attempt before going for elcs... the cons managed to persuade me its nothing like the drip and shouldn't pose a major prob with vbac. i hope i have made the right choice... i can always cancel if not. will give me one last shot before the section i suppose.

on a plus note, i got my sweep today! cervix is still quite posterior but is soft and 2cm dilated making a HUGE diff from what it was on sun. have been very crampy since and going to go for monster walk in a while to see if it does anything. i'm having horrendous stabbing pains in my cervix like baby is shoving a carving knife through from the inside... [hmmm]

OP posts:
VictorianSqualor · 10/04/2008 12:50

Don't know much about the gel tbh, My cons was only willing to consider the drip because she said f it doesn't work properly or causes issues then it can be turned off, whereas if the gel is in you it's got to stay in you.

That's just my cons though, maybe read up on it a bit more?

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 10/04/2008 12:56

yeah i'm going to. not enough to scare myself tho!!! i just called my sil and she has had 2 vbacs which were both prostin induced. that's made me feel a bit better . just a bit pissed off that it means i'll be stuck in hosp from the first twinge...

do you know if they can rupture your membranes as well? something i wasn't sure of with vbac...

you're right about the epo tho vs, i'm sure its helped my cervix to become 'more favourable'. fingers crossed i won't make it til weds... [kidding myself emoticon]

you are such a teaser, i thought you were popping out your little one... i had my bollinger at the ready

OP posts:
VictorianSqualor · 10/04/2008 13:01

Well, they do know what they're doing, no matter how much we fight with them
At least if you're in then you'll be monitored.
Do they have radio monitoring etc so you can be mobile?

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 10/04/2008 13:06

well they have said i can have mobile monitoring but i remember their monitors being quite poo last time! plus as baby went down the montitors kept losing him so it was all quite annoying! i am hoping their budgets have stretched and they have purchased some new ones since my last experience!

tbh, i don't mind so much anymore... this time next week i should have my baby!!!!!!!!!!! i'm sooooooooooooo excited. i will be pooing my pants on tues night tho. is your cs booked in for weds too? not that you will need it cos your baby is coming today

OP posts:
VictorianSqualor · 10/04/2008 13:16

It's booked for tuesday, so yes, by next week we'll both have our babies!

thegreenfairy · 10/04/2008 13:26

paranoid

If your cervix is softening, you're 2cms dilated and you're getting cramps/ stabbing pains it sounds like you're on your way to me! Wooooo!

As for the whole dating thing, some women just take longer. There is a woman who posts on the Homebirth UK yahoo group who had her first child, naturally, at home, at 46+6!!!

So a few days over, well, not such a big deal imo (wait till my due date and remind me I said that...)

Good luck

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 10/04/2008 15:07

46 + 6 BLOODY HELL how patient must she have been?! christ above, that one has made me really really shocked. was her baby humungous?

tbh, i am feeling a lot more positive and like i CAN do this . as u say a few days over is def manageable, i think i was more concerned about the confusion over dates. hopefully now i'm sticking to one date it'll be ok!

i really do hope things are getting going just went for a long walk and started having ctx every 5mins, about 40-50 secs each for about an hour, which really were quite sore! they have stopped since i'm home but i may try to get dh to help 'bring things on' later. see if that does anything...

OP posts:
edam · 10/04/2008 15:59

Yay for 2cm, paranoid, ooh it is going to happen!

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 10/04/2008 20:06

oh i hope so. it would be so lovely for it to happen naturally

OP posts:
thegreenfairy · 11/04/2008 13:47

Ok, now I think I'm going nuts cos I can't find her when I scroll back, but I'm SURE I saw it.
There are certainly plenty of women on there who've gone to almost 43 weeks. Some had bigger, some smaller babies.

But anyway, it sounds like your body is deffo warming up for labour - give yourself time, and I know it must be hard, but relax and think positively. It will happen!

We're rooting for you!

thegreenfairy · 11/04/2008 13:49

Also, if walking brings it on, keeping trying that too - going up and down the stairs can also help, plus bouncing on a birth ball if you've got one.
Good luck!

Original poster
paranoidmummy · 11/04/2008 14:48

thanks thegreenfairy i'm going to have a good old bounce on the ball tonight i might try stair walking too as its hailing here and don't want to go out in it!

OP posts:
MABS · 11/04/2008 16:41

Pollyanna- any joy yet? xx

Jackstini · 12/04/2008 11:03

PM hoping as you are not on here it means you are in labour...?!

MABS · 12/04/2008 18:02

many congrats on the new ds Pollyanna xx

MegSophandEmma · 12/04/2008 18:18

PM I have 3 DD's. The eldest were both well overdue and ended up being induced. So when I was PG with DD3 I assumed the same would be thecase again but 40+ 2 I started having niggles in my back noughting in the frount and didn't have a clue what it was. Eventually because it would go away the back pains I rang midwife who suggested I could be in labour. I thought aye whatever this isn't labour I felt nothing in my front but was examined at the hospital and I was 6 cm dialated. So You can deffo go into labour on your own I think it depends on the baby to be honest. My youngest was the largest of the 3 too which may of helped 8lb 6 oz.

Sending you lots of labouring vibes xxx

keevamum · 12/04/2008 18:24

Hi I'd just like to agree that my body didn't seem to want to give birth on it's own either. My DD1 was due June 25th by NHS dates she arrived on July 20th after 2 inductions!!

First one didn't work. By my dates she was about 2-3 weeks late. The hospital were very concerned the placenta would be failing her but actually after she was born they couldn't believe how large it was!

Second time DD2 was again 2 weeks late and again only arrived after 2 inductions.

Re-reading the posts it looks like you've managed it!!!Well donex

ibiza1 · 12/04/2008 18:38

i went 10 days over with both my girls, had to be induced both times, not something i enjoyed but needs must.

good luck

thegreenfairy · 14/04/2008 18:59

Anyone heard from paranoid mummy yet?