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Childbirth

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

Original poster

40+9 - babies head still not engaged, large baby. Can anyone help calm me down?

76 replies

Lcy · 19/08/2008 14:54

Hi
I am 9 days over due with my first baby and booked in for an induction on Sunday (will be 14 days overdue then). The baby is only 3/5 engaged and the midwife thinks this is because it is a large baby. I have now had 2 sweeps that have had no effect and have had no contractions. I had hoped to have a home water birth but as nothing is happening i expect i will end up being induced. My midwife told me today that she thinks i will probably need help to get the baby out.

I am feeling really upset - i really wanted to have a natural birth. I had a terrible experience at the same hospital when i had a miscarriage this time last year and i am worried about going in again. I have been told that the midwifes are very busy and there will be no continuity of care. There is also only one pool so i am unlikely to be able to have a water birth.

I am so tired and uncomfortable - so probably being a bit irrational. Also have people phoning and texting for the last two weeks asking if the baby has arrived. Just need someone to help calm me down, has anyone experienced a situation like this?

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foxythesnowfox · 22/08/2008 14:14

Crikey, I'm so of you ladies. I'd do it again tomorrow.

Lucky DP is away

Keep your chins up, your births are imminent! Just make sure you post all the details, and if you are at home, do post your progress regularly

Original poster
Lcy · 22/08/2008 17:37

Hi
Thanks everyone for posting - had a bit of a meltdown yesterday and phoned my community midwife in tears. She came round and sat with me and DH for an hour talking through all my options. I just felt really anxious that i was putting baby in danger if i induced and putting baby in danger if i didnt. We talked through all my options and she didnt try and pressure me either way.

We talked a lot about my previous miscarriage and the fact that i bled for the first three months of this pregnancy and that it was perfectly normal to want to hold onto the baby. I realised that i have been to scared to imagine holding my baby incase something went wrong and the baby died - just shows how much mc's can mess you up - Anyway now spending lots of time talking to DH about the baby - what it might look like, what it will feel like to hold it etc..

Anyway good news is that she did a sweep and i am now 2cms dialated (despite not feeling a single contraction) and she feels that it is quite possible i will go into labour anytime.I have also just walked up a mountain - so if that doesn't do it nothing will

I have decided that if nothing happens i will be induced on Sunday - basically feels like the right thing for me to do. My midwife has spoken to the midwives who will be on duty on Sunday and explained how anxious i am and is going to come in and see me aswell. BUT hopefully i won't get to that stage.

Anyway - that was a long one but thanks for all the support x

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 22/08/2008 18:34

Oh Lcy, I didn't realise you felt like this, but it does seem fairly logical when you think about it I suppose.

Sounds like a plan either way. Look forward to seeing an "I think I'm in labour" thread in the next 24 hours!

I'm back home if you need to call x

Original poster
Lcy · 22/08/2008 20:19

Thanks bumper - don't think i really knew until i started talking about it. Feeling more relaxed about whole thing now (helped by lots of chocolate and wine - midwifes advice). Will text over the next few days when baby finally makes an appearance!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 22/08/2008 20:26

Medicinal purposes of course! Good luck over the next few days. Make sure you get plenty of rest and food for energy. It's DH's birthday tomorrow, he says if it comes tomorrow will you name it after him?

Original poster
Lcy · 22/08/2008 20:41

Happy birthday to DH x

OP posts:
foxythesnowfox · 22/08/2008 20:54

Lcy, thats great. OK, nothing has really changed, but you are comfortable with whats going on, and that is progress!

Your thread has made me think so much of my last birth and leading up to it, I felt exactly the same as you do now. 2cms? you are on the way! Just a matter of time now.

xx

Original poster
Lcy · 22/08/2008 20:59

Thanks - yep i think it is just my mind set that has changed. Now come on baby!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 22/08/2008 21:27

DH says thanks and he is thinking of you too.

Sounds like it's all systems go now!

Original poster
Lcy · 23/08/2008 11:56

Bugger - woke up this morning still pregnant!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 23/08/2008 12:16

Bugger .

Have you kept yourself busy packing (and repacking!) a hospital bag yet?

Do you feel ok today? Any show?

Original poster
Lcy · 23/08/2008 12:19

Are you at home? I will try you on your landline x

OP posts:
foxythesnowfox · 23/08/2008 12:20

Arse.

Original poster
Lcy · 23/08/2008 16:46

Exactly!

OP posts:
Bumperlicious · 23/08/2008 18:59

Post before you go into hospital won't you?

foxythesnowfox · 23/08/2008 19:45

Which WILL BE TONIGHT!

Want me and Bumper to join you with our powerful forces and visualise your cervix opening?

1, 2, 3........ ooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

foxythesnowfox · 23/08/2008 19:46

should've been a and a there.

I'm not that wierd!

Bumper can vouch for me.

Bumperlicious · 23/08/2008 19:52

And you are?

Bumperlicious · 23/08/2008 19:53

Hmmm, this might be sending her over the edge

foxythesnowfox · 23/08/2008 19:57

Its not like I'm offering to tweak her nips or anything ...

foxythesnowfox · 23/08/2008 19:57

Wink Grin

spottedandstriped · 23/08/2008 20:03

Hi just thought I would mention that at 40 weeks my midwife put >90th percentile, big baby! on risk factors on my notes. I went overdue by a week and my baby was 7lb 13oz (not the >10lb baby I was expecting). I was also not really engaged when she measured me - and I think I had quite a bit of amniotic fluid - so hopefully the same will be true for you!

Bumperlicious · 23/08/2008 20:06
Bumperlicious · 26/08/2008 07:45

Lcy finally had her baby yesterday by em csec. All very scary but mum and baby both doing fine. Oh, it was a girl! I don't know the weight, huge and long apparently, Foxy, her name is your DD2's with an 'i' before the last 'e'. She was bfing as she sent the message so hopefully that will all go ok.

vezzyp · 26/08/2008 12:36

Please pass on my congratulations to her, sorry to hear she did not have a nice birthing experience but I am glad she has taken to the BF'ing so well
I am due to go in for my induction this evening (I am 40 +12 today) but I am going to cancel it. I am thinking my body is starting labour itself as I had a trickle of waters yesterday and last night and this morning I had a bit of the show so I am trying to get a MW out just to check me, I just hope this is it, I am sick of waiting and would be so happy to avoid a chemical induction.