I'm 39 weeks/3 days. There's a new induction policy at my local hospital stating all women 40 and over need to be induced from as early as 38 weeks onwards due to risk of placenta failure. My midwife's been pushing for induction, but I've managed to avoid it so far as my obstetrician was happy for me to go full term. But my midwife has booked me into the labour ward New Year's Day to have the hormone pessary ( the 1st day of my 40th week). I really want to give birth in the birthing centre. I saw a different midwife on Thurs who said I could cancel that, but go for a stretch and sweep the day after. Why can't they just leave me alone? I had a scan 24th Dec which showed the placenta is working fine and blood flow to baby is good. Anyway, my query is I have been getting strong, uncomfortable Brixton hicks for over a week now. To try and get things going me and hubby had sex last night. 2 hours later I had terrible cramping, which I can only assume we're contractions. They lasted from 8pm - 2am, every 5 mins. I thought " this is it!" And was prepared to phone the hospital when they became more regular. But suddenly they just stopped! And I haven't even had a twinge today. Is this normal? I was so relieved labour had started on its own but what now? Sex was so uncomfortable I'm reluctant to do it again. I'm wondering whether I will have to go through induction, or last night means labour is virtually here. Anyone have experience and knows?