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Childbirth

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

Original poster

40+13 today and don't want to be induced.

77 replies

learnermummy · 25/05/2009 09:08

13 days overdue today and really want my homebirth that i've planned for so long. DS was pretty much on time so never anticipated still being pregnant at this stage. Have fab independent midwives who aren't really concerned yet but have hospital appointment tomorrow afternoon where I imagine they'll be pressing me for induction.
Have seriously tried everything bar castor oil but baby very comfy in there!
I've been very emotional the last few days and swing between wanting to hang on and stay in control, to just wanting it all to end. Feel sad that all the hypnobirthing, yoga, acupuncture etc may have been in vain. Every night for the last two weeks at least I've gone to bed thinking maybe tonight is the night, but no.
Bump is now huge and very uncomfortable especially trying to look after a toddler. Anyone else been in a similar situation?

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SouthMum · 26/05/2009 09:37

Can I ask why people are so worried about being induced? (sorry if that sounds blunt, not trying to be, I am genuinely interested to find out).

For me when it was suggested I was so relieved, it meant I knew exactly when things would finally start happening.

Mistymoo · 26/05/2009 10:02

South Mum - it doesn't always mean you know when things are going to happen. I had to be induced 3 times before anything happened. Not even sure if it was the induction in the end

I think the feeling is that you want your body to tell you when its ready rather than a Dr or midwife. Also OP wants a homebirth which I don't think you can have if you are induced.

Original poster
learnermummy · 26/05/2009 11:06

No change here so off to hospital this afternoon. We're in Coulsdon in Surrey, so off to Mayday in Croydon.

OP posts:
lulalullabye · 26/05/2009 11:08

Lots of reasons to avoid inductions, and just letting your body dictate the hormone release is one of the most inportnat, it helps with beastfeeding and lots of other things.

lulalullabye · 26/05/2009 11:09

Good luck and you tried your best, just remember that

SouthMum · 26/05/2009 14:56

Sorry guys, mum has the babe today so have been enjoying a bit of peace!

Mistymoo n Lula - thanks for the replies, didn't realise it can cause probs. I'm not sure if I was induced in the end, after about 30 hours they put me on a hormone drip (they kept pronouncing it Sint or something like that) and must admit I didn't think the pain could have got any more intense but it did so I suppose thats a consideration aswell.

BigBellasBeerBelly · 26/05/2009 15:02

southmum I was induced last time and wouldn't be again.

A lot of people on here say you just have to keep saying "no thank you" and they will probably want to monitor you every day to make sure everything is OK.

They can't force you to be induced. Just stay strong! And good luck

Original poster
learnermummy · 26/05/2009 16:50

Hi there. Back from hospital now. They really wanted me to go in for induction, but have agreed to postpone til Friday provided I go in for daily CTG monitoring. Feel really deflated and worried if we're doing the right thing. Scan showed reduced fluid apparently, but that's to be expected at 42 weeks too. They gave me a sweep too so hopefully that will kick start things soon.

OP posts:
duchesse · 26/05/2009 17:47

Learner, by the time my daughter was born, there was no fluid left. When I say my "waters" went at 4:30pm, I mean I felt that unmistakable pop, followed by absolutely no gush whatsoever, nor even a trickle. It was what I think is termed a dry labour- and a very fast one at that. I think she realised she'd overstayed and was in a rush to get out in the end. In the end, the baby triggers the labour when they realised they're on a sticky wicket with their placenta. If your fluid is reducing anyway, I would imagine you're heading for imminent labour anyway.

M44 · 26/05/2009 17:56

All of mine have been overdue and induced. You can imagine the state I was in with no 4 induction. I really empathise with the feelings of disappointment. I found being induced traumatic each time because of the extra intervention but by no 4 I stood my ground and insisted I could move around and tough if the monitoring fell off or couldn't trace. I agreed thaey could trace every 20 mins for 2 minutes until established in labour. The joke with no 4 is I completely covered the doc in fluid! Daily ctg monitoring is a pain and I hate the attitude of someof the midwives who resented the fact I stood my ground.
However-as soon as you have your dear little bundle in your arms it will all fade away rapidly and you will wonder why you were so twitched about it all-I can say that as I have done it 4 times!!!! Best of luck and hope that you can have an ARM and get home again.

Lulumama · 26/05/2009 17:59

what did they say re your cervix at the sweep? that can give you a clue as to how ripe you are for labour or if an induction will be succesful

CarGirl · 26/05/2009 18:03

I,ve been there and because I couldn't afford IM I agreed to be induced at 42 weeks because I couldn't have my homebirth after 42 weeks anyway. (I have gone overdue and been induced with all 4 dc)

I did however refuse monitoring once the intial 45 minutes was over, you can say no.

My last birth was absolutely fab and was as close as a natural labour you can get despite needing 2 lots of gel to get things going.

BigBellasBeerBelly · 26/05/2009 18:10

Good luck learner

chimchar · 26/05/2009 18:17

i went to 42 weeks with my 3rd baby and had my planned homebirth...he missed his hospital induction by 2 1/2 hours!

i'd had 4 sweeps and nothing at all got my bump moving apart from a comedy shag (funniest shag of my life!!)

my labour started out of nowhere, progressed quickly into active labour, and my ds was born on the bed where he was made hours later....awwww.

glad all is ok with you. good luck when it happens!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 26/05/2009 18:24

When you say comedy shag I assume you mean you wore a false moustache and your OH wore a false nose? An you did it to the benny hill theme tune?

PS I too had a comedy shag, raspberry leaf tea, curry, pineapple etc etc and nothing worked BUT they do all keep you occupied and take your mind off things a bit...

chimchar · 26/05/2009 18:32

lol.

it wasn't pretty, it was semi naked, it was standing up kind of doggy style dh was allowed to think of anyone he wanted whilst partaking, and just as it was ending spectacularly, my parents arrived bringing back the other 2 dcs....i couldn't stop laughing!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 26/05/2009 18:35

Chimchar thanks for sharing

Maybe learner will laugh so hard the baby comes out!

chimchar · 26/05/2009 18:35

you're welcome bella!

Original poster
learnermummy · 26/05/2009 18:42

Very funny! Not sure about the false moustache though

They said cervix was a bit thick but favourable for induction and 2cm dilated so you never know. Still having lots of back pain following sweep so fingers crossed...

OP posts:
Lulumama · 26/05/2009 20:01

that sounds really positive... best of luck x

toodles · 26/05/2009 20:08

I went to 42 + 2 days with my last birth and there are quite a few women who go to 43 weeks. Take a look at Angela Horn's homebirth website. I think there are quite a few 43 weekers on there.
www.homebirth.org.uk/

I was also pressured by midwives to induce but didn't give in.

Try and not get stressed as adrenaline stops labour. I know this is easier said than done but do try.

Hoping you're in labour as I type and good luck.

HellHathNoFury · 26/05/2009 20:16

I went 22 days overdue

The hospital had me go in for expectant management, which was fine, nice in a way as it got me very familiar with the hospital.

As it was I was induced anyway as I had a VERY slow labour (1 min contractions every 6 minutes) for 2 days and after 2 days of it I just wanted it to end!

I am PG again and I have to say I would probably opt for being induced if I found myself in a similar situation - but you don't have to.
Ask for Expectant Management.

AFAIK though, some hospitals don't allow it?

chimchar · 27/05/2009 08:55

have you exploded yet learner mummy?

hope you're doing ok.

sarah293 · 27/05/2009 09:05

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Original poster
learnermummy · 27/05/2009 09:29

No change here unfortunately. Midwife thinks pains could be cervix shortening. She's coming later this morning to have a look and to do another sweep. Come on baby!

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