Help! 40wks + 5 days & so emotional. Baby still not engaged! :(

[Alisonjayjay]

I'm so fed up being pregnant I just want to cry. This is baby #2 and I really want to go into labour naturally this time as I was induced last time which was horrendous. I was scheduled for a membrane sweep yesterday but midwife couldn't do it cos baby's head still free so she booked me for an induction next Wednesday. I so want to go into labour naturally but I can just see myself being induced again. I'm sick of everyone saying haven't you had that baby yet? I just want to hibernate and cry. Why doesn't my baby want to come out. I can feel myself become more irrational, emotional and snappy. I just want my baby!

As I understand it, with #2+ they don't always engage until the last minute, so it mightn't mean you won't go into labour before Wednesday.

Anyone would feel fed-up in your shoes too (and I'm sure others will be along soon to agree!!) but remember the EDD is an estimate... Fingers crossed baby is just taking their own sweet time & will be here soon.

you're obviously a cosy and comfy mummy and your baby loves being snuggled inside your tummy. My friend was 2 weeks overdue and totally fed up too, and everyone that asked 'have you had him yet' got a nasty snappy comment. it wont be long now, sending you big hugs and best wishes for the next few days xx

I wanted a home birth with DC1 so was keen to avoid induction - my mw said she would support me going to 42wks provided she was happy with me and potentially past that if I went for monitoring of placenta etc. - I know you will be desperate to get baby out but would that be something worth discussing if you really don't want induction?

I wasn't induced but I was augmented without the benefit of an epidural so can understand why you're not keen (ouch!). In the grand scheme of things 40+5 is nothing really (says the person who had baby on due date and is now booked for ELCS, easy for me to say) and the chances of you going into labour before Wednesday are surely above 50%, fingers crossed for you.

the huge majority of babies come before 42 weeks spontaneously... and as already said, your baby can go from not engaged to born in a very short spell of time.

and many areas don't have routine induction until +14 anyway...you don't have to accept the induction at +12 (or at any time)

Routine induction here is +14. Hang in there, must be awful, I had both of mine at 40+4 and started trying to climb the wall on my due date.

Thanks everyone. I know there is still time for the baby to come before Wednesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm going to start feeling proper contractions soon. I've been having regular braxton hicks but so far they haven't turned into real contractions. I'm taking heart in the fact that at least by this time next week I'll definitely be in hospital and baby will either be here or on the way :)