Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Childbirth

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

Overdue now- should I wait for a natural start or do I need that extra help?

5 replies

mommymeggie · 20/01/2010 00:13

I'm curious to know how long you've had to wait being overdue? I'm now 5 days over my due date and I'm booked in on Monday to talk about a possible sweep and maybe even being induced. I honestly thought I'd go naturally as this is my second pregnancy and baby's head has been fully engaged for 3wks now. I'm really gutted that it hasn't happened yet as I'm starting to believe baby doesn't want to come out now!! (Must be the cold weather ) How long do you think the midwife will let you go over to have a baby naturally, or do you believe if baby doesn't come within 2wks then you need the extra help to get labour started??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ASecretLemonadeDrinker · 20/01/2010 00:19

It's usually 2 weeks max. A sweep worked great for me 2nd time, 1st time only the first bit of induction (some tablet up inside) worked. You can insist you not be induced and they will monitor you every day or two, but IME induction isn't so bad. Have you tried all the usual things - birthing ball, curry, sex, raspberry leaf tea?

hobbgoblin · 20/01/2010 00:55

Standard in UK is up to 14 days - some get a bit angsty at 7-10 days over.

I went 10 days over with my 3rd baby and 3 weeks over with my 4th. I lost my bravery with 4th baby as I had to sign a disclaimer against the hospital if anything went wrong at this point as I was going against hospital advice. I ignored their requests for induction for a week but then just felt I had given every chance.

As it turns out DD would probably have never come naturally as she was posterior and even with severe induction (max strength oxy wotsit on the drip) she still took 37 hrs to be born and was almost a c-section.

So, in summary I'd say wait for as long as you feel comfortable and assuming your checks are all fine. Ask for regular monitoring 7 days over and beyond but listen when they say enough's enough. 3 weeks over isn't madness in my book but most hospital staff think you are seriously pushing your luck at this point (unless you live in France ).

Induction is not the worst thing in the world but prepare for intervention that escalates as this is not uncommon.

boredgirl · 20/01/2010 08:21

Hi, just wanted to say I feel your pain! Also 5 days overdue, and I'm going for a sweep tomorrow. I also have the feeling that the baby just doesn't want to come, but I've been planning a homebirth so want to give sweeps enough time to work as any other intervention would require me to labour in hospital.

At this point, I feel as if it's probably best to just get her out safely, regardless. Risk of stillbirth rises after 2 weeks overdue because of placenta failure, so I have been told, and we went through so much to have this baby I would rather be induced and have my little girl here safely, even if she'd rather be inside my tummy!

How much information have you managed to get your hands on? I think the most important thing is to get as much as you can, so you at least feel informed about the stages of induction. Sweeps are the least invasive and you can have two or three before they'll start to pressure you to do anything else. Statistically, they tend to start things off rather well. After that, it will be a pessary of prostglandin (similar to hormone in semen, hence why sex is recommended) - they'll make you do it either first thing in the morning or late at night and stay in hospital that night. They monitor you and the baby for about an hour as sometimes it affects the ba by's heart rate, then give you about 6 hours to see if anything happens. I think they tend to do that twice if it doesn't work the first time, but after that they move on to the synthetic oxytocin drip or trying to break your waters, if they can (if your cervix is still tightly closed they can't). If those still don't work, you'll go for a c-section. The oxytocin drip can make contractions more painful, as they don't build up slowly in a wave but tend to be more of a sharp peak (if you imagine them on a monitor, like a heart rate), which is harder to deal with. it makes it more difficult to time gas and air to relieve pain, so you'll be more likely to have pethedine or an epidural. I've also heard that having your waters artificially broken can make your labour suddenly much more intense.

So, you can see how intervention escalates and why most women like to give their babies as much time as they possibly can to come out by themselves. Unfortunately, I don't think I am brave enough and I'm just too anxious for my baby.

Gosh, long post but I hope it helps a bit

BellaBalloon · 20/01/2010 10:10

very helpful thanks

mommymeggie · 20/01/2010 12:12

Thanks everyone for the comments!

Boredgirl, you are very helpful and I appreciate the post!! I am booked in to the antenatal day unit on Monday 25th at 3pm. ( I'm trying to get it earlier as my hubby works away and has to take time off) Anyway....I have NO CLUE what they are planning for me. My two weeks overdue will be Weds 27th so I'm not sure if they will do anything. I was told by my midwife that they will TALK about a possible sweep. I wish they could be more informative as I would like to plan it out if need be. I know thats wishful thinking Is what your explaining what I should consider when I go for my appointment? I would love to go naturally but I know that time is running out now. And I agree with you, at the end of the day, if intervention helps baby b/c of health issues, then I must do what is neccesary. Good luck boredgirl, hope the sweep helps!!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread