Anyone go over 42 weeks?

[growingweeble]

I'm 42 weeks today. Big sigh. I really didn't think I'd still be pregnant now I'm being induced in a couple of days.

Anyone else get this far? If so, how did things turn out? Did you go into labour naturally and avoid induction?

Hi, yes I went to 42+2 when I went into labour normally. By that time the hospital had booked me in for induction the following day (against my wish) and were putting a lot of stressful pressure on me.

i would never have accepted induction unless they could have presented me with clear medical reasons so I was expecting an angry phone call the next day when I didn't turn up... maybe it was the fear that brought on labour!

BTW I wasn't being completely irresponsible I was having scans every 2 days to assess the placenta which was working just fine.

Thanks Peasplease. Good to know.

Good luck weeble, I totally sympathise with how you must be feeling, I remember it well. Do lots of relaxation exercises if you can and keep thinking positive.

I am 36 weeks pregnant with twins at the moment and truly fed up with it all again!

I went to 42 weeks, was induced, DD born 42+3. I am pretty convinced that she wouldn't have come on her own until much later, given that it took 3 days of intervention to persuade her to come out.

I have to say that induction after 42 weeks is a very personal choice, people feel strongly one way or another. For me: I was certain of my dates. I would refuse induction every time at 7-10 days over, as is common practice in some other countries, but I would not go past 42 weeks. The risks of stillbirth significantly increase and for me it's not worth it.

Incidentally, studies do indicate that acupuncture can be successful. Didn't work for me, but might be worth a try.

I am currently 39 weeks and will be induced again at 42 if baby not here. Honestly induction was not that bad (even if it took forever!). I'd prefer to go naturally but I think 2 weeks over, if you are confident about your dates, is PLENTY.

I went to 40+12, refused automatic induction but had 2 sweeps, and monitoring showed low amniotic fluid so I did have an induction in the end. The hosp were very scary re the low amniotic fluid ('can be a sign of a failing placenta') BUT it can also be a sign that baby is due; and while at hosp waiting for the induction my waters broke! But then my labour fizzled out, grr. So I ended up on the drip anyway. I think in hindsight keeping more active in last days of pregnancy would have helped, plus even when my waters broke (I was so tired I had to sleep). However you can ask to try and keep mobile during induction, eg I took in my birth ball.

Good luck!!

I do get the feeling that I'll need to be induced to get things going which is a shame as I'd wanted to go to the midwife led unit etc. Birth plan out the window before it even starts! Oh well. Good to hear that induction wasn't so bad for you roary, although 3 days is quite a marathon.

Roary, good luck for your second arriving a little more promptly!

Peasplease--congratulations on your twins. Huge respect to you. I cannot imagine carrying two little ones around at 36 weeks!

I was induced at 42+2. For me, if I went that far again, i think I would try to hang on for a bit longer!

Why would you have chosen to hang on ImSoNotTelling, or do I not want to know?

I ended up with an emcs - the section itself was fine actually, the induction itself I didn't enjoy much! But i didn't get very far TBH they decided to whip the baby out v quickly it wasn't like I was labouring for days or even hours. When they induced my cervix was still shut tight ie not ripening at all.

When they delivered the baby she didn't look "overcooked" and I donated my cord blood - the woman who collected it commented that it was nice and bright red and there was lots of it, and the placenta looked v healthy.

So i think that I am someone who just "cooks" their babies longer!

having said that I have friends who have been induced and had pretty easy vaginal deliveries.

All this stuff is so hard - you feel like it's such a huge decision and none of us have a crystal ball.. but what I always think is that a few weeks after the birth, whatever happened it's usually done and dusted and you wonder what you spent all that time agonising for!

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

Thanks. I'll have to wait and see how things go, but I get the feeling that you're right and some of us are just slower cookers. Final go at a sweep tomorrow and see how things are looking then.

I have posterior cervix too, so perhaps that is contributing to a delayed appearance from the little one. Glad to hear you had straightforward deliveries... although waiting to 42 weeks three times must have been frustrating!

I was induced at 42+2 although labour had started at that point albeit very slowly - after 3 days of intermittent contractions I had got to all of 1cm dilated and was quite tired! So I was quite relieved to get it over with.

I don't have anything to compare it with as DS was my first but the birth went fine, from the pessary being inserted to delivery took 19 hours. DS came out all pink and healthy and had the chance to gain a bit of extra weight - 9lbs. That we were both fine was all that mattered. A couple of friends who were induced ended up having a CS but I think they would have had them in any case.

I had grand plans for the birthing pool but
once the syntocin goes in you are hooked up to a monitor which restricts your mobility.

Good luck!