How can I handle this better?

[thefurryone]

Hi, after some advice on how I can deal with my current situation a little bit better.

I'm currently 40+2. I had my term appointment with the registrar last Thursday. He did a scan and suspects that baby has already had a bowel movement as the water was not reflecting properly most likely because of meconium.

He also gave me a VE and as I'm 2cm dilated gave me a sweep. Baby was monitored for well over an hour and there was no sign of foetal distress. If there had been I would have been admitted, but instead sent home with the hope I'd go into labour over the weekend, if it doesn't I'm in on Wedneday for an induction.

On Thursday I was a bit freaked out but very hopeful the sweep would work, went for a walk and felt lots of pressure and some BH, but didn't go into labour. Spent all day Friday sitting on my ball and walked for over two hours lots of pressure again and BH whilst walking but still nothing. Saturday went for walk met friend who suggested Clary Sage, got some rubbed on bump started getting more pressure more BH but still no proper labour.

Today I'm just terrified, induction is the one thing that I've really struggled to try and mentally prepare myself when thinking about childbirth. I don't really know what to do, time is running out and I just can't stop crying and shouting at my DH (who has the patience of a saint). I've just run out of the ability to optomistic about being able to go into labour naturally.

I know the most important thing is the safe arrival of our baby but that doesn't stop my emotions being all over the place.

Any ideas what I can do to get my head in a better place?

Thanks

[thefurryone]

Thanks buttonmoon. Good to hear it does always lead to the strong stuff.

[buttonmoon78]

The drip does not necessarily = lots of pain. If you end up being induced and on a drip, if it's getting too much, ask for it to be turned down a bit. They're not out to get you, the MWs just want you to have your baby!

I was induced last time and managed with G&A.

Of course, I hope v much that all this early practice stuff ramps up to the real deal before Weds!

Good luck.

[thefurryone]

Hi Selina, I have a history of cervical fibroids so my full term appointment was in the consultant clinic rather than the midwife and scanned to check there weren't any problems with this.

Meconium is suspected because the amniotic fluid wasn't reflecting as would be expected if it was clear.

The birth plan in my notes indicates that I'm not inclined towards induction so was offered VE to see if there was any progress as I had had a few twinges, and as I was 2cm was offered a sweep in the hope that this would bypass the need for induction. I was happy enough with this.

I have a midwife appointment booked on Wednesday a couple of hours before I'm due at the hospital so I'm going to keep this and have a chat with her really really hard to know what to do for the best.

[SelinaDoula]

thefuuryone an I ask why you were having a scan and sweep a 40+2?
The World health organisation count the length of a normal pregnancy as 38-42 weeks so technically you are not actually overdue yet.
I have not heard of meconium being detected by scan before, I doubt it is a definete diagnosis. And even if there is meconium present, it does not have to indicate distress but could just be a sign of a mature gut.
It would seem reasonable for you to consider expectant management and wait till you go into labour naturally, at least as long as there are no other signs of your baby being in distress?

[thefurryone]

neverlookback thanks that's what I'm hoping! The false alarms are a bit frustrating but fingers crossed it will mean it will mean I only need a bit of a prompt.

Parietal what scares me is if I need to have the drip how much pain I'll be in as I'm really not very keen on either pethidine or epidural for pain relief because of the side effects and from what I've read not many people seem to be able to cope without.

[Parietal]

I was induced both times and was very nervous the first time. But it was fine and in fact the second time I asked to be induced because it worked well before, and I wanted time to feel ready rather than a 2am rush to hospital.

Why does induction scare you? Once it gets started, it is labour and ends with a baby. It just needs a bit of help to get going.

[neverlookback]

hi ill just say i was petrified of being induced with my 2nd but was at 42 weeks but it was fine, the gel started me off then it all went natural after that, if your already 2cm and your keeping really mobile then theres a good chance you body just needs a bit of a push to get going, good luck, its all worth it at the end x

[bemybebe]

"with" sorry should be "wish"

[bemybebe]

I see. I am 18 weeks with my first, so no real advice from me, but I do with you good luck and hope the baby will make an appearance shortly!! [busmile]

[thefurryone]

Mummyabroad that doesn't sound hippy and weird at all, actually spent the part of the day I haven't just been moping trying to get some things that were on the list but not yet completed finished. Think we're pretty much there just need to convince the

bemybebe I don't think there were further concerns, I didn't see the dr again after the monitoring which was done by the midwives I was also convinced the sweep was going to work at that stage as I was getting quite a few twinges, that accompanied by the feeling of relief that all was ok meant I didn't really ask any more questons. All along my policy on induction was to refuse if it was offered to me purely because I was a certain number of days beyond my due date and there was no other reason specific to me as to why induction would be necessary. Now they've given me a specific reason I'd feel much less confident in refusing.

[bemybebe]

thefurryone I understand that meconium can be a sign of foetal distress, but it does not HAVE to be a sign of distress. As they have monitored you for over an hour and everything seems ok why would they want to induce you, especially if normally a pregnancy is given two weeks weeks to progress beyond DD before considering interventions. Were there any further concerns?

[MummyAbroad]

It might sound a bit hippy and wierd, but can you think of any emotional or practical reason why you might not feel ready to go into labour yet? I remember a midwife telling me that babies come only when you are ready for them, and if you have any practical/emotional issues to sort out first they will wait until you have taken care of it first. In my case she might well have been right.

I was 8 days late and panicking about induction with my DS. In the end I think labour started for one of two reasons:

1. DH had booked a really important exam that week, it bothered me for ages that he wanted to do it around labour time. I went into labour 45 mins after he finished and came back home.
   
   
2. I took Castor oil (that is really not a pleasant option by the way - only for the desperate!)
   
   So, if there is anything you want to get off your chest, any unpaid bills that are bothering you or practicalities that arent set up the way you want them, perhaps now is the time to put your head to it (and if it doesnt work, perhaps it will be a useful distraction? )
   
   good luck xxx

[Milkybrew]

Sounds like a plan! I'll just sit here and bounce some more...

[thefurryone]

Thanks Milkybrew you're right baby will be here by Thursday and I'll barely remember why I was worried today. I actually feel a bit better having just written out that post, feels a bit less big than it did in my head. Think I'll go and rub some more clary sage on my bump, have an easter egg and apologise to DH for being a prize A bitch all day.

[Milkybrew]

Hi, I can understand completely where you are coming from. I'm sat on my ball trying to encourage baby out as the last thing I really want is to be induced. However, 7 years ago I was induced 12 days overdue with DS. It was not ideal but looking back there was no other option (developing pre-eclampsia). He's here, he's fine, I'm fine and if I have to be induced again it won't be the end of the world, just won't be what I'm hoping for. There's still every chance you'll go into labour naturally and if not at least you know you'll have baby in your arms by Thursday! Hope that helps.