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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

41 weeks tomorrow and need some advice

56 replies

FeatherFeather11 · 11/02/2015 23:32

Hello all,

Hoping some experienced mums can give me some advice. Basically, this is my first pregnancy, all has been straightforward and fine, except the baby is now refusing to make an appearance!

I had an appointment with a doc at the hospital today, who basically bulldozed me into booking in for an induction this coming Monday, when I'll be 41+4. I really wanted to avoid being induced and especially the way she painted it: "you may end up on a drip, in which case you'll be on a bed, on your back giving birth". And then started spouting about the high rates of still births in late babies.

I know that I'm probably being naive by hoping for a nice birth centre experience, and that my baby's health is the most important thing, but I feel sad and disappointed and hoping someone, anyone, has some advice to impart. I have tried everything: curry, Dtd, 6 mile walks, acupuncture blah blah blah and nothing except a few Braxton hicks and some period-type cramps. Then it all just goes away. I'm feeling tired and stressed and like I'll never meet my daughter. Help!

OP posts:

PurpleStripedSock · 11/02/2015 23:38

This happened to me and while I didn't have a birth plan, I tealky didn't want to be induced. As it happened, I began to labour the day the day I was supposed to be induced so the hospital let me try and progress naturally.

Long story short I ended up on the drip and having my baby by EMC at exactly 42 weeks.

Honestly, whatever happens, very soon you're going to be a mum and none of it will matter.

Thinking labour like thoughts for you :-)

Original poster

FeatherFeather11 · 11/02/2015 23:45

Thanks purple - know you're right, but feeling annoyed at the prospect of induction and mostly, annoyed with myself.

OP posts:

PolyesterBride · 11/02/2015 23:51

I put off indication with my second baby and they began monitoring me daily to check the health of the placenta. They also did a few sweeps to try to get things going. I booked in for acupuncture too. But i didn't need it because the baby finally came at +16. They wouldn't let me go in the birthing centre though because being so late I was classed as high risk.

SuzanneSays · 12/02/2015 00:00

I have a beautiful 5 month old baby, and not long ago I was in a similar position to you. I really didn't want to be induced as had heard so many negatives, I was in tears at the prospect. In the end I went into labour naturally the morning I was due to be induced( think this is quite common?) but as things slowed down I ended up on a drip, on my back etc. Yes, it wasn't what I had wanted or planned for, but I can honestly say that once it is all over and your baby is safely there you really don't care, or at least forget very quickly! I spent so much time stressing about giving birth when I was pregnant, I almost forgot there was going to be a baby at the end! Good luck!

Original poster

FeatherFeather11 · 12/02/2015 04:37

Thank you both. Wasn't offered a
sweep, but will push for one on Friday when I have to go in for a trace. Hopefully that will get things moving.

Anyone out there tried castor oil?

OP posts:

Sillysausage2 · 12/02/2015 04:46

Don't try castor oil, all you'll do is make yourself sick.
Unfortunately walking, dtd, curries, pineapples etc don't work either, wishful thinking bit there's no evidence that any of them work.

I'd try reflexology or acupuncture and definitely push for sweeps. I had 2 and was still induced at 14 days over but couldn't be helped at that stage!
It's not the end of the world if you are, I had thoughts of a lovely natural birth and was convinced I'd go naturally right up until the minute I was put on the drip. It's the end result that counts and once you have that baby in your arms, it'll all be minor details. Good luck with it

Original poster

FeatherFeather11 · 12/02/2015 05:09

Thanks SillySausage. I'm stepping away from the castor oil. Yes, I'm
Sure you're right - it'll all seem like minor details once the baby is here, and stressing about it all won't help. Guess I'll just have to go with the flow and see what happens. Which is really depressing!

OP posts:

purplemunkey · 12/02/2015 05:16

Another one who went into labour naturally on day of induction. They did need to break my waters in the end though. Baby came with gas and air. I used a TENS machine during contractions.

This is my first DC and I felt the same as you, couldn't care less now though - just glad she's here!

Do get a sweep though, I had 4 in the lead up. Ok, so I still went to 40+12 but I didn't need a pessary and I know it moved things along fairly quickly for other pregnant friends.

Saltedcaramel2014 · 12/02/2015 05:55

I'm sorry to hear how you're feeling - it's tough. But there is still time for things to progress naturally, hopefully that will happen. I asked to wait till 40+14 with monitoring. Went into labour naturally that day. DS was a bit over cooked though (a lot of meconium in waters) so after drip to speed things I went into EMCS. It was absolutely not the birth is imagined and I had thought of the birth centre so much, pictured it happening there. But you know what, when it happened, it was the birth of my baby, the day I met my son for the first time - and it was fine. It does matter - I'm not trying to play that down - so adjusting your expectations at this stage is important. But it didn't matter nearly as much as I expected. Good luck.

Jodie1982 · 12/02/2015 08:21

Whenever I've gone a few days over a Sweep has always got me going, definitely ask for one. Currently 39+5 with DC5 so speaking from experience. I'm being induced tomorrow! Rather nervous

bullseyebraces · 12/02/2015 08:31

I went into labour at 41w 6d with DC1, she was born at 42w. I was booked in with home birth midwives so had no pressure about induction, I think I ws offered a sweep which I refused. At 41w 6d (before going into labour!) I had to go see the consultant who basically said "as you are young, healthy, a low risk pregnancy, the risks of continuing past 42w are small, go ahead" (I paraphrase). I was booked in for a scan to check placenta/fluid levels but had her before the appointment...

bronya · 12/02/2015 09:06

My medical, induced labour on drip and antibiotics actually put me off less than the speedy natural one. Just saying!!

Addictedtocustardcreams · 12/02/2015 09:17

On a positive note in my lasts pregnancy I was induced at 14 days over. One pessary put me into labour & I had DD less than 12 hours from entering the hospital. They need to warn you about how tough it could be but it might not be as bad as you imagine! I was monitored but wasn't made to lie down, just couldn't walk about so kneeling on bed etc ok. Just wanted to add a positive PoV!

weeblueberry · 12/02/2015 09:21

I had to be induced because my waters went without contractions and I was put straight on the drip. Yes I ended up on my back, not able to move with continuous monitoring. It wasn't ideal but I was honesty expecting it to be much worse. It's still doable with just gas and air/tens.

Good luck

Felyne · 12/02/2015 09:28

I have a friend who had a bath with clary sage essential oil in, and then shagged her husband. Hours later she was in labour! Anecdotal of course because she was a bit overdue so was probably going to go into labour soon anyway, but she swears it did it for her! All the best

Original poster

FeatherFeather11 · 12/02/2015 13:38

Thanks for sharing your experiences and suggestions all. I have woken up this morning feeling a bit better about things and having read your posts has made me feel like I'm not the only one and that all is ok. It's not what I dreamed of, but ultimately, my daughter getting her safe and sound is the most important thing. Thanks for the support. x

OP posts:

WhatismyLife · 12/02/2015 13:41

have you had a sweep? Mine were 12 and 13 days late so I know you are feeling! especially when it seems like everyone is against you when you say you don't want to be induced. good luck.

Jenny1231990 · 12/02/2015 13:56

Hiya, won't be long hunny and your little bundle will be here. I was induced with my first at 38 weeks i had GD.
With my 2nd I didn't have it, I had a sweep at 40 weeks and another at 41 weeks, I'm surprised they haven't offered you a sweep.
Anyway at my 41weeks appointment, the midwife offered for me to be induced, I said I would rather wait a while longer, she was fine with that, obviously if baby was showing any sign of being distressed I would have gone for it.
Baby was just happy and comfy. Ha
Anyway that happened at 2.30 and my baby was born that evening at 7.10pm.
Maybe just say your happy to wait a little while longer? I hope all goes well xxxx

StrikesMatches · 12/02/2015 14:10

FeatherFeather, I have been where you are...twice! DD (my first) was an induction at 42 weeks. She just didn't want to budge and was eventually born by emcs at 43+3 (it was technically an emergency but only because it wasn't planned, if that makes sense). I'm in Ireland, but I presume it's not that different, an was on a syntocin drip for part of the wait and I could definitely walk around/sit on a ball. The monitoring doesn't have to be constant (depending on your circumstances) so if you can negotiate intermittent monitoring you might feel a bit better about it.

And just to say, while of course your baby being delivered safely is hugely important, so are you and that you are happy with how your baby is born. Things don't have to be perfect for you to be happy, but you (or whoever is with you) needs to be sure you're not bamboozled and whipped through the process like I was . I found this article on another MN thread (can't remember where) but I found it really useful.

Best of luck with everything!

RedSal · 12/02/2015 14:15

I am in a similar position, 2 days late now with my first. My MW says I can have 3 sweeps - first one on due date wasn't even a proper sweep as cervix not open at all, but she says she tilted it fwd a bit (whatever that means) and is hoping it will progress. Another one booked on Sat (+4).

I wld recommend asking (insisting even?) on having sweeps as like others I have heard positive comments from friends. It doesn't feel great but hey, worse is to come! (and it was no worse than a smear test TBH). I also know people who have asked for the monitoring and to go past the recommended induction date, which takes away the idea of 'I must do this today for the sake of the baby' - my MW mentioned this in passing, not exactly giving me the option of doing it but she did at least acknowledge it as a thing that people do. I will decide later what i think about requesting it if need be. As I understand it, standard induction date here is +12 and I think you were told +11, so might be worth asking about leeway to go a little later?

Also, my MW said pool is fine after pessaries (don't know if yr hosp has a pool?) so you may perhaps be able to get closer to birthing centre plan than you fear? In terms of the drip, yes, this sounds like more of a pain & is the bit that bothers me most, but I know someone (like the poster above) who had it and was able to lean&kneel on bed, move round a little etc.

I was also a bit reassured by the little video clips on the RCM site for active birthing positions which show people in quite a few upright positions even when on continual monitoring and they mentioned this working with a drip in too. Might be worth checking out and then mentioning when the induction chat comes up next or even at the time?

RedSal · 12/02/2015 14:16

www.rcmnormalbirth.org.uk/birthing-positions-in-practice/short-videos-for-birthing-postions/

Sorry, first time round the link didn't work

jmojo · 14/02/2015 04:35

I would always encourage my inductions to move as much as possible to help labour. Depending on the baby's heart rate location you can monitor in most positions and on a ball. It meant i got hand cramp sometimes when I had to hold it on for an hour or two, but your birth partner can help with that if your midwife needs to write in your notes or check your obs etc. Talk to your midwife when you are in labour and if you aren't happy ask to talk to the midwife in charge too. Most midwives want you to be mobile as possible for as long as possible.

NickyEds · 14/02/2015 10:12

Inductions don't have to be awful experiences, my friend was induced, the pessary got things going and she ended up with the lovely, straight forward water birth she wanted. So much of it is luck, baby's position etc.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/02/2015 10:17

Is there a reason they want to book induction so early? Why not 41+6 or 42?

purplemunkey · 14/02/2015 10:32

My understanding is that 12 days overdue is the norm at the moment penguin. That's when my induction was booked (DD is now 14wks). Problem free pregnancy, same as OP.

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