I'm 39 years old and now 41 weeks + 5 days with my first baby and trying to avoid being induced...

[killerkitty]

I had follicle tracking back in May last year so I know exactly when I ovulated and conceived. When my dates were calculated by the doctor she used the day of my last menstrual period, which was two weeks earlier. However, my eight-week scan confirmed the doctor's date as correct and I was given an EDD of February 15 2009. But here I am, nearly 42 weeks later and the midwife has confirmed my cervix is still not favourable, and the hospital is itching to induce. I don't want to put my baby at risk, but I want to go into labour naturally when my baby is ready. NHS figures confirm that 20 per cent of pregnant women in this country are induced. Can it really be true that one in five women are unable to go into labour? Why are they putting this pressure on me, and who is right? Them or me?

Oh, and 4 pessaries (must be at least 6 hours between them) is max that my hospital will give, except that they did actually give 5 to a first timer who was in at the same time as me, so these can easily run over a number of days if they aren't working to start with.

any updates killerkitty?

killerkitty I have been induced once and I will admit that it's not an experience I would like to repeat.. with my 2 subsequent labours i managed to jiggle things along with pineapple and sideways walking etc...

This time round I intend on going to see my osteopath. My osteopath is also a homeopath and does accupuncture too. His induction success rate is currently at over 80% which I think is actually better than my local hospital and he doesn't go anywhere near your fanjo or pump you with drugs...

Just wanted to remind you that you can look elswhere for assistance and that the consultant still isn't the final say in this - if you think you are being pushed around by the consultant with the tinky winky ask for a second opinion.

I am hoping you have already gone into spontaneous laour and that why u are not on here!! Good luck!!

i bet shes having it now!

Realy hope so......

Sorry to disappoint you all but kittyjunior is still firmly indoors. However, I have started having some rather good Braxton Hicks up my back and I'm now going out for a good long walk. Will be bouncing on birthing ball later (and DH if he's really lucky).

Thank you for all your stories and advice. I'm going for my CTG tomorrow morning and hopefully the midwife will also be able to do a sweep. If my cervix is still unfavourable, then as NICE guidelines don't recommend inducing with a Bishops score of less than 8, I would be within my rights to move the March 4 induction date to perhaps the end of the week when I will be 40+19.

I think I will also have another chat with the easy-going consultant I saw last Friday and explain that if and when I come in to be induced, I will refuse the drip if the pessaries don't work. Which means he will either have to let me carry on being monitored or organise a CS. Obviously this is all dependent on the results of the monitoring and if there's any problem at all, will be whipping it out immediately.

I feel much better and stronger about dealing with it now that I've had so much feedback. I can't thank you all enough.

ps Not had reflexology as I've already spent a fortune on acupuncture. Drank some foul Chinese herbs last night and today, so perhaps that's helping too.

killerkitty you sound like you have a very good and sensible plan of action. Wishing you all the best x

Good Luck!!!

Hi

Not sure if someone has already mentioned this as I didn't read the whole thread, but when I was overdue with my 2dd I went into the hospital to have my blood pressure monitored and baby's heart rate checked every day when I went past 11 days over. They can also do an ultrasound to check blood flow to the placenta which is one of the risks (i.e. lack of blood flow to the placenta). They may not want to do it but it is worth suggesting it if they are pressuring you and you want to show willing but also want to stick to your guns about avoiding induction.

All the very best!

You're quiet Killerkitty .. is this good news???

Hello all,

After all my worries over induction I went into labour naturally at 11pm on Wednesday 4 March. After 15 hours of contractions that were only 3 minutes apart I started bleeding heavily, my BP dropped like a stone and the baby's heart rate went sky high. Blood in my waters prompted a discussion about whether the baby would cope with the next however many hours of labour as I was being a bit slow, which left me the option of either syntocinon or a c.section. I took the cs option and at 16.29 on Thursday 5th March my beautiful daughter Jesse was airlifted to the strains of Al Green's I'm Tired of Being Alone - and the gasps of amazement that she was 10 pounds 4 ounces.

Ladies, how grateful was I to that surgeon?

Thank you for all your help and advice. Now I can be found on breastfeeding threads trying to work out how to feed my MONSTER baby...

Oh and I should add that Jesse got 10 on all her apgar scores, she looked pink and healthy and screamed lustily. My placenta - which was huge apparently - was a bit gritty but otherwise OK. The midwives all came to hug and squidge her because it's rare they see such a big chunky baby. Is this because so many babies aren't ?cooked? properly?

Anyway, all's well that ends well.

Hi Killerkity congratulations!!! Thanks for coming back and updating us (I've been checking in every few days).
Glad things started naturally for you and that everything worked out in the end. You can never say you didn't try now can you. Great outcome. Imagine pushing 10 lb 4 oz! Makes my eyes water thinking. Laughing that they predicted a week before that she'd be 8 lb something! Ha. But your daughter sounds lovely and healthy and happy. Wonderful. Hope you're well too! Good luck with the breastfeeding - it is very rewarding if you can stick with it. Happy days and great news!