Help! 40 weeks still no labour

[Bellamuerte]

40 weeks and still not in labour. Midwife was unable to do a sweep because my cervix is still closed tight. They're insisting on doing a medical induction if I haven't given birth within ten days of my due date. I'm terrified - I absolutely do NOT want a medical induction because apparently it's very intense and painful, and can lead to a cascade of intervention. Plus I'd be forced to have a medicalised birth on an obstetric ward instead of a natural birth in a midwife centre.

Right now I feel like refusing to have the induction because I must go into labour eventually, right? They're going to check again in five days time to see if it's possible to do a sweep by then. Is there anything else that can induce labour? I'm desperate!

Why are they insisting on induction? They can't do anything without your consent.

I also couldn’t have a sweep at 40 weeks because cervix was closed.
By 40+3 my waters had broken and then I had to have an induction at 40+5 due to infection risk (they started it late the night before). I had monitoring but could change positions as I liked and started with the gel then had drip. Gave birth with no intervention and a small tear which healed fine with no complications. So please don’t fear induction too much - if it has to be done then it could still all be fine.
You’re likely to go into labour in the next 10 days anyway but could definitely discuss options if you don’t.

If you end up needing a medical induction there's nothing you can do about it so stressing in the meantime will do nothing other than raising your blood pressure.
I had a medical induction and it was absolutely fine. Done in 10 hours, start to finish. Waters broken by the 'hook' - also fine.
Try and get as much rest as you can - your little babba will be in your arms before you know it ((hugs))

You don’t HAVE to have an induction at all. You can always say ‘no’ to any medical procedure, this included. You can also say “not yet” (so maybe you’d be okay with it at 14 days, but not at 10), or you can say “I don’t want to decide just now, let’s see how I’m doing in a week.”

You are very very likely to give birth in the next 10 days anyway. If you don’t, you still have options. Get hold of a midwife (or consultant) who will talk you through why they’re recommending induction, whatnot would be like and what choices you’d have within it, and what the alternatives are (regular monitoring if you’re very overdue), so you can make a decision yourself.

Firstly you have my sympathies, going over due is a stressful time. However try to relax, you are only 40 weeks, most first time mums (I’m assuming?) go over their due date so there is still time for you to go into labour naturally.

Try lots of long walks - maybe acupuncture too? To be honest I didn’t find anything that worked for me, but you can push back on the induction. I waited to go in until 40+13, different consultants seemed to have different opinions of what was ok.

Finally, I’d try to think of the positives of giving birth on the labour ward. As much as you’d love a natural birth, sometimes (as I found out) it doesn’t happen and best thing is to be prepared for all outcomes. It’ll make you much more relaxed about it.

Positives for being on the ward are - reassurance from continuous monitoring and access to excellent drugs and epidurals (mine was absolutely excellent!). I felt so gutted for ages that I didn’t get the home pool birth I’d dreamt of. I ended up being induced, however I did give birth safely to my DD with relatively little intervention (an epidural and episiotomy) and that was with her coming out back to back.

So, moral is a) try not to worry you still have time and b) plan for all eventualities so you can make the best of any situation that gets thrown at you!

Moxibustion or acupuncture are worth a try!

Do you have to have to give birth on the labour ward after an induction? I only ask because my induction was on a mlu and a natural birth.

Check with your midwife.

Apparently I'm within my rights to refuse induction but it could result in significant risk to my life or the baby's. But I don't want to be induced so right now I feel like I'm willing to take that risk. The hospital requires induction to take place on the obstetric ward and I refuse to go there - I'll give birth at home before I let them put me on a ward.

Is the only reason for induction post dates? Or is there other health factors?

Assuming it's just because you are overdue the risks are not significant. The risk of stillbirth is 1:1000 at 40 weeks and approx 3:1000 at 42 weeks, and 6;1000 at 43 weeks. It's very unlikely you will get to 43 weeks without spontaneous labour.

I had a look at why they push for induction post dates and it's because the risks to the baby double at week 42 (something to do with the placenta crapping out?). Inductions might not work straight way, so they offer them a few days ahead to get ahead of the deadline. It's still your choice though.

I was in the same boat as you one year ago and I was really upset about having to have an induction. I left it until week 42 to the day and it was fine.
Like, you might have heard that labour stings a bit? Well, I can confirm that it wasn't the most comfortable experience but I have no idea if the induction made it worse or it would have been like that anyway.

I met my baby 24 hours after the first dose but labour was only properly intense for about 8 of those. Monitoring was ok. No need for a drip. I could get in the bathtub. No cascade of interventions for me. I had an epidural (but it didn't work all that well, so I'll know not to bother for next time)

Good luck! (and you'll probably go into labour the day before the induction is booked, fingers crossed)

No health factors, purely because I'm overdue. They want to schedule the induction for 10 days after my due date. I feel inclined to refuse. Desperate to go into labour asap!

i had an induction at 38+5 and had no intervention and a small 2nd degree tear (baby was out in one push)

Although i know this is not everyones experience.

Of the 6 babies in my friendship group there are
1x induction no intervention
1x induction and forceps
1x induction and ventous
2x spontanious 42 weeks labours both leading to forceps
1x c-section

But the main thing is we all ended up with babies and everyone is safe and well. So please try and relax and just think in 2 weeks you will have your baby one way or another, but it will be the safest option for you and your baby.

At 40+8 a hospital midwife was unable to do a sweep, said no cervix indicated labour probably wasn't going to be any time soon and booked an induction for 42 weeks. 12 hours after that I went into a very quick labour with dd being born within three hours of it starting.

Don't give up hope!

If they’re going to do an induction they like to book you in well before the date, so the hospital can plan. It doesn’t mean they’ve decided you’ll definitely go well overdue and need one!

Honestly, while it’s true that you can refuse an indiction or refuse to have one at 10 days over - odds are still very very good you won’t get that overdue anyway. Many (most?) women go past 40 weeks with first baby, most of those go into labour before 42.

With my first I had an un successful sweep so at 10 days overdue I was induced. I also had heard horror stories about being induced but honestly, my induced labor/birth went a hell of a lot better than going into labor naturally with my second. Induced birth I was induced at 3pm and my boy was born at 8pm. Waters broke by themselves and a couple pushes later he was born. So honestly, I wouldn't stress out. Every woman is different, induced labor or not. Just go with what's best for you and baby.

If you’re only just 40 weeks you have tonnes of time. Can’t remember the exact figures but the majority of women give birth (ignoring planned interventions) between 40-41 weeks.

If it helps - I went overdue, refused induction at 40+10 but agreed to reschedule it at 40+14, went in at 40+14, spoke to doctor who suggested starting off with a sweep as she was pretty sure that’d trigger it and I could go home. Had sweep, went home, returned next day in active labour.

I was also due to be induced at 40+11 and went into labour the night before. still turned out to be a nightmare