Overdue and not wanting induction, interested to hear experiences or people going through the same

[Itsnoteasyfeelingqueasy]

I’m 41 + 1 today with no signs of labour. My midwife has booked me in at the hospital for Thursday (41+3) for induction. I said I don’t want to be induced but she said to go anyway to discuss a plan for monitoring. Even though I know I can decline induction I still feel like the hospital appointment adds some kind of deadline. I’m hoping to have monitoring until I’m 42 weeks pregnant, after that I feel I will need to accept induction for my own peace of mind. I’m really scared of the induction process and needing instrumental delivery, I feel like if I go over 42 weeks I would prefer a c section. I’m not sure if that’s something I can request? The midwife said the type of induction would be with a balloon, it doesn’t sound pleasant from what I’ve read.

Any thoughts or experiences on any of this?

Hi OP, I was a firm no to induction unless absolutely necessary. My second was born at 41+6 and was 9.3. I did the hypno course and had decided that I wanted an intervention free labour. I did accept a sweep at 41+2 which didn't work. I met my consultant at 41+6 and she and I agreed that if I hadn't gone into spontaneous labour by 41+8 we would break waters only (I was already 1-2cm anyway) and I could go midwife rather than medical led. She offered me another sweep which was effective. My waters went spontaneously a few hours later and my baby was born in the water within an hour of them going. No examinations, no interventions and no medical. I did have gas and air but nothing else - I honestly didn't need it. It was a really god experience made possible by a consultant and midwives that listened and were supportive. Good luck!xx

Have sex. Unlike the other ways to kick start labour naturally, there is evidence that sex works. The oxytocin and prostaglandin are hormones that your body needs in labour.

It worked for me. Went into labour naturally within hours of having sex and DS was born at 41+4.

Sorry to jump on this thread but I've been being pressured about induction too and it's really getting to me now!
I'm 38+3, first baby, IVF pregnancy. Had lots of reduced movements (although I think looking back now with the benefit of experience I wouldn't have even bothered the hospital for some of the earlier ones!) so was offered induction at 37+1 which I declined as the doctor couldn't give me any medical reason why (monitoring has always been fine). I'm now on daily monitoring at my local day unit which has always been perfect.
I had a growth scan today but couldn't speak to a consultant (mix-up at the hospital) so have to go back tomorrow for that, but baby's abdominal circumference was measuring around 3 weeks ahead on the scan (always been spot-on previously). So I have a feeling the consultant tomorrow will push for induction, I'm petrified of needing intervention so I really didn't want things to go this way, but obviously don't want to put baby at any risk. I have a feeling they wouldn't let me go past 40 weeks anyway due to the IVF, so it was always a real possibility but now that it's looking more likely I'm terrified!
Anyone got any experiences they can give me?

Well, I was induced with DC1 at 40+12. Pessary, followed by having my waters broken, followed by the drip. Over 48 hours later, I was the grand total of 2cm dilated. So I had an EMCS. Most people I know who have been induced have either had super fast labours or very long ones resulting in instrumental delivery or EMCS. Anecdotes rather than evidence, obviously.

A lot of it depends on risk appetite, assuming no medical factors. I was very against the idea of being induced and for me, it turned out to be a nightmare experience and very traumatic. It didn’t work, either. I was also terrified at the prospect of an instrumental delivery.

But at the point where I was induced, I had three options: agree to induction, insist on a c-section (I would have been keen to avoid surgery and see whether the pessary got things going), or wait and see (I was too worried about placenta failure). So induction seemed like the least worst choice for me.

You can certainly ask for a section- you’d want to do some research, especially around the implications for future births, and if you want a large family.

You could also set some parameters around induction, eg what methods you’re prepared to try, what pain relief you’d want, if you want a more active labour, how will they support you?

The most important thing is to remember that you do have choices and although medical staff may present things as a fait accompli, you do have to consent.

I must admit, I would have found it very difficult being induced without my partner there.

@Itsnoteasyfeelingqueasy they can’t not support a home birth - if you call and you’re in labour they have a duty to send someone out. My home birth is not being ‘supported’ by consultants but I am still doing it.
I know someone else has already mentioned it, but the risk of still birth after 42 weeks is really minimal. They say it doubles, which sounds terrifying, but it is still a very small percentage. Monitoring is a good way of ensuring everything is okay.
Good luck

@bluemoon2468 thank you for clearing explaining why I fear induction, saved me doing it and validated my feelings ☺️

@MyCatReallyIsAGit thank you, really helpful comments. I think not having my partner there definitely sways my decision. I phoned the hospital today to say I don’t want to be induced and they have arranged for me to see a doctor tomorrow morning to discuss a plan. I’m open to the idea of my waters being broken after 42 weeks and interested to hear that’s all some people have needed. If it gets more involved then I’d prefer a c section, I have no plans to have more children so that wouldn’t be a concern.

I’ll keep you all posted 🤞

Good luck OP!

Re waters being broken, once they’ve been broken effectively a timer starts and they will usually insist on ramping things up via drip if labour hasn’t started within 24 hours due to infection risk. Whereas if they try to get things started with the gel/pessary and it doesn’t work there’s no harm done essentially. You can still opt for more induction steps or c section (you could opt for c section after waters breaking too but they might be less likely to agree).

For any one reading this now, still birth risk increases after 42 weeks from 0.17% - 0.3%, there's no evidence based data to show placental failure happens post term (42+) and shoulder distocia happens mostly in babies under 9lb. Normal gestation is between 37-42 weeks you're not post term until after 42 weeks. Can we stop pushing this fear of childbirth past the average gestation dates.

I was induced with my first and went into labour naturally at 39+4 with my second. Second natural birth was the one with most interventions as baby was back to back and wedged under my pubic bone in an awkward position. I’d take my first induced birth over my second any day! Just a view point that inductions don’t always mean worse births, I preferred mine and it was much smoother. Natural doesn’t always gurantee straight forward and induction doesn’t always mean intervention x