Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pregnancy

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

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:
gallicgirl · 14/02/2015 10:40

I'd be a bit happier about inductions if doctors could predict due dates more accurately!

bullseyebraces · 14/02/2015 10:57

I don't get why they say normal gestation is to 42 weeks but never want someone to go to 42 weeks before planning induction!

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/02/2015 11:19

Interesting Purple. I had mw's in 2011 and 2014 in different areas of the country telling me that that was outdated and before +14 wasn't clinically indicated. They wanted to do 42 weeks and 42 +1 .Confused

purplemunkey · 14/02/2015 11:36

Hmm. You do seem to get different advice from different people. A few of my other pg friends had inductions too (or booked just in case) and they were all at the 11/12 day mark. Maybe it differs on area/age/ftm or not?

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/02/2015 11:48

Like so much in maternity care, I think you are right.

But if the OP is keen to avoid induction a straightforward way to wait a couple of days longer might be to point out the inconsistencies. Smile

Original poster
FeatherFeather11 · 14/02/2015 14:11

Thanks for all the advice and perspectives again. Went to Maternity Day Unit yesterday where they traced the baby, scanned to check fluid levels and all was fine. They did a sweep (OUCH!) and I was 1cm dilated, cervix posterior but 'soft and low' and the midwife said it all looks 'favourable'. Have had a bit of pink show, but so far my plug hasn't gone, but I have had mild period pains since the sweep. Hoping for things to progress! Going in tomorrow for another trace and sweep and I want to approach the hosp about holding out on induction for one more day after that - I'm currently booked in for Monday 8.30am and I would like to wait till Tuesday instead, when I'll be 41+5 - does that sound unreasonable?

Again, can't thank you all enough for the advice - been a real eye opener in how the whole system works. Just looking forward to meeting my baby now and would really love for her to decide to come this weekend!

Re clary sage - not sure whether to go for it or not as read many conflicting views online...anyone have first hand experience?

OP posts:
Letmeeatcakecakecake · 14/02/2015 14:16

I can't believe no sweep was offered but they're happy to induce!

My son came at 37+3 and I had been fiddling with my nipples, eating hot food, getting my mum to press points on my foot ect..

I've read cleary sage can work?

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/02/2015 14:56

After three late babies, I don't believe in most of the old wives' tales.

I do have experience of resisting induction though. DS was +13 and they wanted to book me in (it would have been at +14 and I was having the conversation at around +10. He came in the nick of time!). I had an issue with dates, and knew all my babies had come late, so wasn't going to do it lightly.

In your situation I wouldn't say you are refusing induction. I would say that you've looked around, and many trusts have as protocol induction at +14. So unless they've got a convincing reason to go for +12, you would like to delay induction to that point.

If your consultant starts spouting about 'dead babies' then I would have your partner (if you have one) briefed to ask her calmly about the difference between babies at +12 and +14.

Going post dates does raise still birth risk. But there is a way to discuss those risks which is factual, gives perspective, recognises that induction is not risk free and respects your rights as a patient to make an informed choice.

Pisghetti · 14/02/2015 18:06

Link to another perspective on the risk to baby of going over term. I was induced with my first at 40+12 and had a textbook labour and delivery with no problems and I would still fight against being induced again. It is your decision of course but the 'dead babies' scare tactics used to railroad women into induction really, really bother me

WhatismyLife · 15/02/2015 18:50

how are you op? any sign of labour yet? Smile

Original poster
FeatherFeather11 · 15/02/2015 19:26

Had another sweep today and lost my plug beforehand. Midwife said I'm now 2-3cm dilated, she felt the waters and baby's head. I'm booked in for induction in the morning but says she thinks they'll want to skip the pessary and gel and move on to breaking my waters. I plan on getting there and telling them that I don't want that and that I want another 24-48 hours. Sound reasonable? It sounds and feels like things are moving along, albeit slowly, but I really don't want my waters broken for me if I can help it....

OP posts:
Longdistance · 15/02/2015 19:36

Just a tip. If you can, sit spread legged for now with your hips wide open. Rocking from side to side, get baby in a good position. The wider your hips, the easier baby will come out.

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 15/02/2015 19:42

If you agree to having your waters broken, please ask them about the baby's position. No one ever tells you but it is potentially quite problematic as a routine first step if the baby is back to back.

Original poster
FeatherFeather11 · 15/02/2015 19:54

Thanks both. longdistance - do you suggest I do that on the birth ball?

OP posts:
Original poster
FeatherFeather11 · 15/02/2015 19:55

penguin definitely. But I really want to avoid having waters broken 'to start things off' so I think I will say no anyway.

OP posts:
PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 15/02/2015 20:16

Fair enough. Just thought I would mention it as no one told me with DD1. Had I known then what I know now, I would never have agreed.

Original poster
FeatherFeather11 · 15/02/2015 20:30

Yes, they're not very good at explaining the 'cascade' at my hosp. Midwife was all like "well, we'll break your waters, you go into labour and then the baby appears!"... Errr, not most of the time, love! Hmm

OP posts:
blankfornames · 15/02/2015 20:39

Hope you don't mind me butting in but I'll be 39+6 on Wednesday and have been offered a sweep, should I go with it?

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 15/02/2015 20:43

Absolutely. But what absolutely no one told me is that, if you have a b2b baby and break your waters, it makes it massively more difficult for them to turn. Which can make labour longer, and harder, and instrumental delivery more likely. Literally no one told me that.

jmojo · 15/02/2015 20:50

On the subject of OP I came across an interesting article and it had some links to "what to do if you have an OP baby" within the text. Check it out if it is something you are worried about.

midwifethinking.com/2010/08/13/in-celebration-of-the-op-baby/

fairgroundsnack · 15/02/2015 20:57

That sounds promising! Personally I woykd call them and say you aren't coming in until tomorrow... I think 40+10 is a bit pre-emtive for induction. Mine arrived naturally at 40+10 and 40+9, both waters broke during second stage. It spunds like you are very close to natural labour - you could get baby monitored and another sweep instead x

Clarabell33 · 15/02/2015 22:20

No advice as only 33wks but wanted to say that my midwife offered this explanation about the +12 timing - apparently inductions generally take about 2 days from start to finish, which is why they want to start the process at/by 40+12 so that your baby is out by 42wks. Don't know if that's the main/only reason but sounded logical to me.

LabradorMama · 15/02/2015 22:37

First hand experience of clary sage here, I had a wonderful labour with it. 2hrs from first contraction to 10cm and pushing, then I moved to gas and air for some reason I can't remember. I ended up with an assisted birth but I have to say I recommend clary sage to everyone, it was just magical. I had some on a cloth and breathed it deep through every contraction.

Can't vouch for it actually inducing labour though as I had DS at 41 weeks and had been burning it around the house from 40wks onwards!!

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 16/02/2015 07:51

That is a bit of a rubbish explanation to be honest Clarabell, because it implies a massive jump up in risk on the day you hit 42 weeks. In fact it is a gradual curve, becoming much more noticeable by the time you hit 43 weeks. And inductions generally take so long because the body isn't ready. If the body is almost ready to labour naturally, they are more likely to be the same length as your natural labour might have been.

This is interesting.

ByeByeButterfly · 16/02/2015 08:44

Giving you nice natural labour vibes this morning op :)