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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Help! 41 weeks today... does anything actually work?

25 replies

legallyblond · 04/10/2010 13:14

Ok, so I am getting very bored now!

I am 41 weeks today and no signs of anything happening at all.... no show, no real twinges. Nothing.

I had backache yesterday (I get back ache rather than stomach cramps when I get period pains) and thought something might be happening, but woke up this morning feeling fit as a fiddle with no twinges.. so I think it was just my body getting tired of carrying this baby!

I have tried/am trying:

long walks (seriously long ones up and down hills!);
raspberry leaf tea;
sex;
pineapple;
being on all fours; and
squatting.

I don't have a birthing ball, so can't bounce on that but apart from that, is there ANYTHING else I can try?

The baby is head down in a good position and is fairly engaged (2/5s palpable), but it doesn't want to come out!

I am due to be induced on Saturday (that will be at 40+12, my hospital's policy), following a stretch and sweep this Wednesday and another this Friday. I know I can refuse to be induced and just go in for daily monitoring, but I just don't feel confident enough to do that... I am SERIOUSLY dreading induction though (its my first baby, which apparently makes inductuion hell!), so any tips at all very gratefully received!!

OP posts:

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sarahbuff · 04/10/2010 15:55

Keep drinking the tea as it is meant to help labour be shorter and contractions more effective (not start labour as such)! And walk as much as you can. I think good for thinning the cervix or something. I don't think there is anything that will magically start labour though, apart from baby coming when he/she is ready. Hope you go soon before the induction date! Mine were all over a week overdue (not induced) and the waiting can be so frustrating, but it'll be well worth it in the end. Good luck!

Cosmosis · 04/10/2010 15:58

don't worry, it may still happen! I was in exactly the same situation as you, not a thing happening at all. I actually did refuse induction and went in for 1 daily monitoring session at 40+13, then went in to labour spontaneously at 42 weeks exactly.

chocolateme · 04/10/2010 16:09

Sex does work !!!! I was 7 days over with my first & done the trick for me!

GrumpyFish · 04/10/2010 16:11

Getting very stressed (and sobbing hysterically) about the prospect of being induced seemed to work for me at 10 days overdue .

sassie23 · 04/10/2010 16:12

Just bought a bottle of clary sage oil, after reading about its induction properties?? Not sure if it will work but I'll give it a go think you are supposed to rub it in the bump after dilution of course and sniff it good luck

ethelina · 04/10/2010 16:13

the sweep did it for me. I had first contraction 9hours later, ds born 6 hours after that. Dh refused point-blank to consider sex, he said it made him feel odd!

firefly101 · 04/10/2010 16:15

Am 40+3 and have also tried everything on your list. Clary Sage essentail oil in the bath worked for a friend but hasn't worked for me yet. Reflexolgy was recommended by a midwife, am trying to get an appointment for this week.
Good luck!

allyfe · 04/10/2010 16:17

grumpyfish your method really made me laugh.

KnitterNotTwitter · 04/10/2010 16:21

Other things that we tried

Hot curries
Castor Oil (mixed with orange juice) see here but note that while I like this method many people don't - read the info first
Reflexology - there are certain points they can press to encourage labour to come on - definitely worked for us

ilovefirelighters · 04/10/2010 18:55

hey there im 36+ wks and doing my shopping list of natural induction remedies in preparation. my mw told me to walk up and down the stairs sideways like a crab. it widens the pelvis more effectively than birthing balls/walking etc. the curry, castor oil stuff is just going to keep your bowels empty so there is plenty of room for baby to move down and is more likely to. it doesnt really bring on labour. nipple stimulation seems to be a winner for my mummy friends. apparently should work after 20 mins so give up after 30 mins an if it hasnt worked try the next day. can bring on quite strong contractions though so be warned.
good luck x

sam26oscar · 04/10/2010 19:42

second the clary sage oil, although i recommend having a few drops in a nice warm bath , i have had 5 friends use this when they have gone over due date and all of them had gone into labour within 24-36hrs!! If you try it let me know if it helped!!!

Bumperlicious · 04/10/2010 19:56

evening primrose oil capsule up your fanjo. worked for me exactly 2 weeks ago.

lalalonglegs · 04/10/2010 20:16

Sex worked for me - waters broke 45 mins after. Lots of walking about (we lived on a very steep hill) seemed to work for a friend of mind. Good luck.

DilysPrice · 04/10/2010 20:23

Richard Armitage is shagging nude on the kitchen table in Spooks tonight, which might give you a head start should you want to try the orgasm approach.

Wallace · 04/10/2010 20:24

Twiddle your nipples

katekitkat · 04/10/2010 21:25

I went 19 days overdue with my DD (currently 34 weeks with no 2) and I tried everything. Something else not already mentioned is acupuncture. I understand that from a reputable practioner this is supposed to help. The other thing is, and this is easier said than done, to relax. It isn't going to help being all wound up about it. If the same thing happens to me again this time around I will be trying to be much calmer about it. I am sure it didn't help that I was like a coiled spring in those last few days. Why not book yourself a mum-to-be massage, or go to the cinema (on your own in the day, I would love to do this). Perhaps these wil at least take your mind off it for a bit.

Good luck.

MadameCheese · 04/10/2010 23:45

legallyblond I am being induced tomorrow :). This is my second baby and had the same with my fisrt, Experience was positive, so I'm not remotely worried (I did plan a homebirth with DC(1), it didn't happen, but then I wasn't massively disappointed). Hope all goes well for you though and that you manage to have the kind birth you would like :)

MummyAbroad · 05/10/2010 02:59

Castor oil worked for me! (after everything on your list plus reflexology)

As knitternottwitter points out though its not for the faint hearted (I was desperate!) It gives you severe diarrea (not fun at 9 months!) which starts a chain reaction as it were and for me labour started 30 mins after taking it. I took one tablespoon with orange juice.

good luck xxx

Original poster

legallyblond · 05/10/2010 08:52

Thanks so much everyone. I will try nipple stimulation and cleary sage in the bath - seems a bit odd, but worth a shot!

I am trying to make the most of these last few days of my time being all my own.

I have to say though, really feeling down about it all today. I live very near my grandparents (both in their 90s) and my grandmother in particular was so excited about her first great grandchild. Sadly, my grandmother died yesterday, so just missed out on meeting the baby... We knew it was probably coming in the next weeks or months, but not so soon... I am heartbroken that my being late made her not get to see her great grandchild....

Also, thanks in particular Madamecheese - its REALLY good to hear someone be positive about a first time birth and induction. Can you say a bit more?

OP posts:

lou19 · 05/10/2010 09:02

Not sure if anyone else has suggested this, but I am 35 weeks and the other day had a big slice of ginger cake- I was coming out in sweats, had contractions for about three hours and my mum, who is a midwife, said the ginger must have brought on a burst of oxytocine!Scared me a bit as it's too early but I know what I'll be trying when the time comes!:) worth a try and pleasurable enough :) good luck!

picc · 05/10/2010 09:03

Oh gosh. Am so sorry legally. That's awful for you. So sorry about your grandmother.

Am also overdue (41+1 today) and also feeling really down and frustrated. I'll be induced on Thursday if nothing has happened of its own accord.
(have high BP so they don't want to leave him in there too long)

However, I thought I'd add to Madamcheese. I was induced last time, and although there were certain "issues" that I wasn't happy with to do with the birth, none were particularly because I was induced. It all happened quite quickly, and I don't feel too worried about it if it happens again this time.
(I'd rather not get to that stage... but am kind of resigned to it... and definitely not scared if it. I'd planned a home birth this time, too!! oh well.....)

good luck, and hope it all happens for you without getting to that stage :)

ilovefirelighters · 05/10/2010 11:36

so sorry legallyblond for your loss. hope some of the ideas left here will help you get to met you lo sooner rather than later. good luck

Original poster

legallyblond · 06/10/2010 11:33

Arrrgh! Just went for a stretch and sweep and she couldn't even reach my cervix! Its too far back, even though the baby's head is right down etc. She will have one more go on Friday, then I go in for induction (if the hospital isn't too busy) on Sat.

It is just starting to feel like none of this is going right....

My midwife also explained what happens re the induction and it sounds like it could literally go on for days... Can't I just request a sodding c-section now?

Sorry for the rant... after my grandma dying as well, its just all getting a bit much!

OP posts:

sassie23 · 06/10/2010 11:45

It can take days legallyblond but with me it was only one pessary so don't despair just yet and you could go before then anyhow good luck

jcp123 · 06/10/2010 13:19

My husband crashed his car into mine on the drive the day before I gave birth @41+3 (not recommended though).

Also, I had a sweep that day and was told nothing was happening so I phoned everyone to tell them that it would be born at 42 weeks, my induction day. Don't know if I just resigned myself to be that date so was pleasently suprised when things happened naturally. Maybe just relaxing and not thinking about it will work for you too. Good luck!

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