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Childbirth

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

What should I say at POST DATE Midwife apt - I want to avoid being Induced

23 replies

drosophila · 30/03/2009 20:09

I will be 41 weeks on Friday which is based on scans as I have no idea when my period was. Both previous pregnancies were late - 14 days followed by horrible induction (forceps etc) and 12 days late followed by natural quick delivery.

I want to avoid induction and feel fairly confident that I will start naturally but you can never be sure. I have been doing a bit of research but it thought MN practical experience may be better.

Don't some women simply have longer gestation periods than others?

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Loopymumsy · 30/03/2009 20:13

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drosophila · 30/03/2009 20:16

Expectant management - that's the term I was trying to think of - thanks.

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SlebMner · 30/03/2009 20:18

you are not late until 42 + 1. agree wtih loopy. you can decline an induction , presuming no compelling medical reasons to induce

missingthemountains · 30/03/2009 20:20

don't be surprised if they have never heard of expectant management or the associated NICE guidelines - take a copy with you

I had a horrid experience trying to persuade them not to induce me (similar history to you) - so do ask to see the consultant if you are not getting the support you want - and then ask for a different consultant if they are not helpful

fortunately I went into labour just in time - although I was seriously considering "forgetting" to go in for induction they had scheduled for me

good luck

Flopsymopsy · 30/03/2009 20:23

Yes Droso, they do. My DD was 13 days late according to the scan date. I wouldn't allow a sweep at 7 days as from my period that's when I was actually due. I was booked in on day 14 to have a sweep, but I said that I did NOT want to be induced - I'd have allowed a sweep. They said they would allow an extra week, but I'd need to go into hospital every day to check all OK.
I fully expected to go overdue as my Mum was a week to 3 weeks late with all 9 of her children - in the days before scans she'd lie to the doctors about her due date by a week so they'd leave her alone!

SlebMner · 30/03/2009 20:24

good point about explaining it, i had a client recently who had to tell the doctor what it was !! most women do have the sweep/induction route and they don;t often hear 'no'to inductin as most woemn, understandbaly , depsreate to give birth

drosophila · 30/03/2009 20:28

I remember last time the shock on the face of the midwife when I made it clear I didn't want to be induced. I got sooo cross went home had some Raspberyy leaf tea and that evening my waters broke. I think it was my foul mood rather than the tea.

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StarlightMcKenzie · 30/03/2009 20:40

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drosophila · 01/04/2009 15:11

I am starting to think that my partner has paid people to tell me to have lots of sex. If another person tell me with a wink that 'you know what to do...' I think I will go mad. AM I the only one at this late stage is as intersted in sex as a poke in the eye.

I have read that nipple stimulation is the only proven natural method to being on labour. Now hway hasn't someone devised a think you could put in your bra that vibrates or something. Perhaps there is one. Off to do a google.

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Loopymumsy · 01/04/2009 17:03

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drosophila · 01/04/2009 20:40

I know I know you are right!!! Maybe I should surf the net for somehting to put me in the mood.

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yogamat · 01/04/2009 21:23

Have you thought about induction accupuncture? Really worked for me. Might be worth a try. Good luck!

mumacita · 17/04/2009 14:26

I'm 41 + 6 today and have had two fights on my hands this week to convince the medics to give my baby a little more time to make a move. I was bullied, faced disapproval and it was implied on both occasions that I was a bad mother for risking that my child would be stillborn. She didn't talk figures, just broad-brush scare stories. She didn't listen to my protestations about my Bishop's Score suggesting I wasn't ready for induction yet, she said it was a subjective measure. Nor was she keen to listen when I said that just because I didn't give birth on my due date, I wasn't abnormal. It's difficult to stand up to trained professionals whom you would usually respect but it staggers me that I know a mere handful of first time mothers who've given birth naturally. If they don't let people go beyond 41 weeks, then how can they possibly know what's normal anymore? Rant over: I'm sticking to my guns and giving the old cervix a little more time to prepare. (Of course, none of this means I'm not terrified that I am, in fact, risking the health of my unborn child.)

MamaMoonFairy · 17/04/2009 18:41

I'm 40+6 weeks pregnant and I've been trying everything you can think of, nipple stim, sex , orgasm, pineapple, reflexology, jumping up and down, carrying my toddler and today I had a acupuncture session, you name it... and until now nothing!!! starting to have flashbacks about DS1 labour which was horrendous this time I have a home birth planed, i just hope that it still happens

drosophila · 18/04/2009 23:24

Well 2 weeks late to the day I finally gave birth to a 10 pound 4 oz baby boy. In the end it was so quick. One minute I was contracting fairly mildly and ws 3 cm dialated and within 90 mins I had given birth.

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littleducks · 18/04/2009 23:33

it might not be bad! at my first post date appointement with dd i was seen by a consultant who requested i taook part in a study they were running where the didnt induce women to see if induction was actually hepful to women, i was still having morining sickness and was begging for an induction, though dd arrived with just a sweep, but you may be just the candidate they are hoping for!

paolosgirl · 18/04/2009 23:36

Have you had the baby then?! Sorry - it's late and I'm not thinking straight. If you have and I've read your post correctly - congratulations!!!

drosophila · 18/04/2009 23:44

Yes I have. Thanks.

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littleducks · 19/04/2009 00:11

Congratulations, not sure how i missed that!

10lb 4oz is very impressive!

MamaMoonFairy · 19/04/2009 20:04

Congratulations drosophila !!! well done!!!

I'm still waiting for my baby to make an appearance 41 weeks now uffffff!!!

mumacita · 20/04/2009 18:28

Me too. Still waiting at 42 + 2. Managed to wangle a week's grace... Induction booked for Friday but I have a feeling things might be moving as I type... Fingers crossed; legs akimbo.

MamaMoonFairy · 20/04/2009 20:22

OHHH good luck then!!!

my midwife its quite good she is willing to let me go as overdue as possible as long as me and baby are healthy had a sweep today... from Monday ( if nothing happens before)going every day to hospital to monitoring . any way, good look for you

drosophila · 20/04/2009 20:38

I had 3 sweeps and after each one I would get regular contractions that would die off as the day wore on. Each sweep seemed to have a greater impact.I think that they deffo helped move things along.

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