How overdue were you?

[Vikks]

Hi,
Very impatient first time mum here struggling through the final days. Today I?m 40+6 and having an ?it?ll never happen on its own? moment! I just feel like I?m getting closer to having an induction and not closer to going into labour on my own.
What do you think? I?ve had no ?show?, no contractions, no period type pains and my cervix was too high for a sweep yesterday. I?m generally feeling pretty low today and to top it off I think I?ve developed a late case of SPD so I?m in agony walking now. On the up side I do have one very healthy and very wriggly little boy in here who I know I?ll meet one way or another quite soon. I do know I?m very lucky but the days seem so long at the moment?

I would love to here how overdue others have been, especially with your first?
Did you have any of the classic early labour symptoms?
Did you need an induction? Did you know that you would? What day did they take you in and then how long until you gave birth?
Has anyone been unable to have a sweep performed but still gone into labour on their own soon afterwards?

I?m going to hospital tomorrow to see if they can perform a sweep again, I really hope they can give me some positive news.
Thank you for reading. x

Hi vikks, i really feel your pain, i could have written your post 4 months ago. i was overdue, fed up & crying every day, no signs of labour whatsoever. i had 3 sweeps and every time was told my cervix was unfavourable, too high etc. it really is the pits. at 40+13 i refused induction so was monitored for a few days & eventually gave in to induction at 40+16..ds was born at 40+17. contractions started after just the pessary though & only 11hr labour (only 7hr established labour) i fully believe it would have taken a mord aggressive form of induction & taken longer to get him out if id given in at 40+13. anyway i really hope it wont go that far for you cos its awful but just wanted to offer support & just trust your body. your lovely ds will be here soon even though i know it feels like it will never happen. good luck.

Totally understand. Ds was 2 whole weeks late. He is my first. They wanted to begin the induction at 7 days overdue. I was certain he just was not ready since (as yourself) the signs were not there. My Mom was in town and very pressuring to move forward with the induction but I was pissed about it and waited, she postponed her flight. The conception date can be 7-10 days off and so I was quite irritated that doc was so persistent about the induction. Finally at 14 days past due and still only dilated to a 2, I agreed . I was very upset and annoyed with my mother who just wanted to meet her grandson before she left, bless her soul, but should have been more supportive. I read somewhere the average pregnancy worldwide, particularly in places where induction is not an option, is 42 weeks, not 40. So, anyway, they induced me and get this: 12 hours later, nothing!!! He was not ready. They then ended up giving me the full dose, then rupturing my water which really got things moving and ds was born 10 hours later. He will come. you have gone 41 weeks, whats one more at this point? At least you KNOW he will be here in a week (or less). My suggestion- enjoy your last week of complete freedom and chocolate and keep your head up. Your little boy is almost here! I promise darlin!

with DC1 I had NO signs whatsoever before my waters breaking - no show, no twinges, no Braxtons, head not engaged. Then my waters broke and she was born 11 hours later.

I was induced at 12 days over, even though I'd had a show and periody pains at 40+1. On the plus side, as soon as my contractions started, about 2 hours after the drip going into my hand, it was only 3 and a hlaf hours from first contraction to my DS being born.

16 days for dd1 (3 sweeps & hospital induction). 10 days for dd2, first contraction at 12.30, baby at 03.00
A 'show' is meaningless, don't bother looking out for that. Period type cramps ditto. They can go on for days/weeks. Stop labour spotting and just enjoy your life as it is now, not how you wish it would be . Induction isn't pleasant but it works for most people, however, keep an open mind re: pain relief and be prepared for it to take a looooong time, so plenty of nice food, music etc.

I went to 42 weeks before being induced. I'm impressed by cupcakefairy making it all the way to 40+16!

I'd been having Braxton Hicks for a good couple of weeks and they were getting more intense.

I tried everything (exercise, pineapple, raspberry leaf tea, sex, acupuncture) in the last two weeks to get things going but nothing worked. I had a sweep at about 41 weeks but again, nothing.

I had the pessary at 6pm Friday night, by 9pm I was in full on labour and DS was born at 7am Saturday morning. The labour was very quick, very intense and ended up with DS being delivered by ventouse as they were concerned about his heart rate and would only let me push for 40mins. I didn't lose my plug until well into the night, and I think they actually broke my waters at some point...can't really remember!

Overall, it was quite a traumatic labour as it all happened so quickly. Inductions can be like this sometimes, or they can take forever. However, it was good that they were monitoring DS constantly as the cord was round his neck, hence the heart rate issues.

Be aware that if you have an induction you'll probably go under consultant care (it was the case in my hospital, others may be different) which meant that I couldn't have the birthing pool. Also, due to the monitoring, I felt like I couldn't have the active labour that I'd wanted as they really wanted me to stay on the bed the whole time. My DP was fantastic at being my advocate and chasing people up and finding out what was going on...although he did do a runner when I threw up!

Good luck! It's really not long now, and you'll be holding your baby. Believe me, that is well worth all the pain and stress.

I went 40+14 & had a sweep with DS1 who was born about 20hrs later, although I wasn't certain of dates and DS1 didnt look like an overdue baby he was just large.

DS2 I was 40+2, I was so fed up with being PG that I took to bed with a stack of books that same morning & said I wasn't getting out of bed until labour started, which it did about 3hrs later!

DS3 came a week early which really took me by suprise, it was the only time I had a show & labour started straight away.

It is very tiresome playing the waiting for labour to start game, you have my sympathies.

Mucho sympathy. I went 40+21 days, with full support of my consultant as I have long cycles, and ovulate late. Anyhow tried everything (three sweeps, currys, sex etc..... except castor oil) and was induced in the end.

But DS was still not ready as nothing happened with both pessaries, finally went on oxytocin (sp??) drip at 7pm, which I stuck with a tens machine before having a epidural (was told I would need one at start but soldiered on for a while til 12).

Epidural was fine, went to sleep and woke up at 7am and was able to push him out. All of which is to say I really wanted to avoid a chain of interventions etc. but at the end of the day it was a good birth. Currently preggers with no 2 and been told I had a natural birth last time!!!! so can go to MLU if I want to this time

BTW DS did not look in any way overcooked and was not particularly huge either (under 9lb) but then I am nearly 6ft tall so am a bit like a carthorse!

Thanks for all your replies ladies, it?s good to know others have been through the same. I?ve just had my sweep appointment at the hospital and was told that my cervix has softened a little although it wasn?t enough for them to actually perform a sweep. They are gonna give it another go on Friday.
Someone?s ringing me back today about an induction appointment too for next week but the MW said it could happen on its own?.I don?t believe her!

Nuttysquirrel OMG 40+21! How did you cope? I?m struggling to stay sane now!