41+1 weeks…is spontaneous labour likely?!

[FantasticalCat]

Hi everyone,

I’m 41 weeks +1 today and really struggling mentally with being in limbo about when my baby will come.

All of my antenatal classmates have had their babies now, I’m the last woman standing!

I have an induction booked this weekend when I’ll be 41+5, but was really hoping to go into spontaneous birth before then.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation, and gone into spontaneous labour later than 41 weeks? Just looking for a bit of reassurance 😌

Yes. WHO says that birth is between 37-42 weeks. In France you are "due" at 41 weeks. It is not an exact science.

I didn’t go into active labour until 41+5 with my first.

Both of mine were spontaneous, the first at 41+5 and the second at 41+2. I know exactly how you feel! Hang in there, whatever way it happens, it won’t be long now :)

Yes both of mine, 41+5 and 41+3, both times I’d been booked in for induction and with the second my contractions started naturally the night before I was due in at 7am to be started off, awkward little bugger 😆
it’s annoying when you feel like it’s never ending, all the texts and comments “jeez still pregnant then” erm yes, looks like it😅
you’ve got time yet 🤞🏼

Yes my second was spontaneous at 41+2 and after thinking it was never going to happen spontaneously, she was born after a 2.5 hour labour. There is every chance baby could come spontaneously.

My friend went into labour with her first at 42+3, and her second at 42+1 a few weeks ago. There’s still a good chance of spontaneous labour, if that’s what you want.

Yes of course, up to 42 weeks is normal gestation length, we put too much focus on 40 weeks here. Unless something is wrong I wouldn’t go for induction before 42 weeks

Yes I went in to spontaneous labour at 41+3 and 41+5. Perfectly possible and nothing wrong with it either, it will definitely happen and very soon too! Keep as active as you possibly can and I do think a pedicure helped a lot! Acupressure points and all that.

Have you/can you ask for a sweep?

Hi everyone, thank you for your reassuring messages - I ended up in the triage unit last night with reduced movements which turned out to be fine. I did however take the opportunity to have a sweep this morning, they were able to perform it successfully and said I was 1cm dilated which is better than nothing I suppose!
Induction booked for Sunday at 41+5, which I haven’t made my mind up about yet. They’ve suggested another sweep on Saturday, so I’ll see how the next 48 hours go!

Up to 42 weeks is totally normal - I hate this language around being ‘late’ past 40 weeks. I’m 40+6 today and will be doing everything I can to avoid induction, I can’t see any reason to have it purely for being towards 42 weeks. Induction seems to be given far too often. Average arrival for first babies is 40+10!

Highly recommend reading Sara Wickham website / instagram for information on induction

I had DC2 spontaneously at 41+4, I had an outpatient induction booked for 41+5 so just avoided it.

I have a risk factor this time tho so have outpatient induction booked at 41+0 but hoping baby arrives earlier. My first was born on their due date, also spontaneously.

Mine were both spontaneous and over 41 weeks. One I had sweeps, the second I didn't.

Good luck OP!

My little one came a grand total of 4 hours before I was due to go in for induction. She is a strong minded little soul even now; but don't give up hope, some just like to hold on.