Overdue and fed up

[bleachblondemom]

I’m 4 days overdue which I known isn’t a lot but I’m desperate to go into labour naturally as I really really don’t want to be induced. I’ve tried everything- walks, birthing ball, sex, curry, raspberry tea, clary sage oil in the bath! I’ve got no signs at all- no mucus plug loss, no loose stools, no regular cramps at all. I do feel some mild cramps in my lower abdomen but maybe one or twice a day, and that’s it. Don’t know what else to do! Due at the midwife tomorrow so will accept a sweep if offered but part of me thinks that won’t bloody work either.
I’ve also been trying to collect colostrum all week as I won’t be breastfeeding, and nothings happening there either. My body has just decided to be completely uncooperative and it’s getting me down.

I was 2 days over with DD2, zero signs, fed up, and with no warning, waters went at 5.30am and she was born that morning.

You never know when it’s gonna creep up on you!!! Have faith!!!!

@bleachblondemom you can absolutely postpone induction or even decline it all together. I finally agreed to being induced at 42+1 with DS3.

Even when I finally went into labour with DC2 - I wasn't entirely sure it was really happening! My waters didn't break until about 30 mins before she arrived. I felt "out of sorts" in the morning - restless and not quite right. My first contraction was about lunchtime - but it took another hour or two before I felt - yes those are contractions. DC2 arrived about 5pm

I hope you don't have to wait too much longer. Stay active. Enjoy these last few days of quiet and get some decent rest!

Gosh - I daren't tell you how many days overdue all mine were!!!! You will probably despair - as I did first time round. I thought I wold be pregnant for ever!

But when I was mega-overdue with the third one I lay on the bed and very slowly and in great detail imagined a baby crying and me getting up and fetching her and putting her to the breast - pop went the waters - hooray!

Morning, what's everyone's plans today to encourage baby out?? I've got my 41 week appointment tomorrow where my midwife is going to attempt a sweep...really nervous about it. Will also be booked in for an induction at the weekend which I'm feeling really deflated about 😢

@Stargazer87 Morning ! Hope you are feeling ok. I’m throwing everything at it today. So far nipple stimulation and DTD (reluctantly) and now about to take the dog for a nice long walk ! How about you ?

Try not to be nervous about the sweep, I was however it really was nothing to worry about. I’d go so far as saying I had probably 20 seconds of being uncomfortable, other than that it was fine (although appreciate we are all different) ! I think I was probably more nervous about my midwife seeing my bits (FTM so this all new) however again, didn’t even feel like she looked ! If no baby by Thursday ive got another midwife appointment then so will have another !

I’m booked in for induction on Saturday and feel exactly the same ! Our journeys are almost identical !

@SEP880 Also FTM and worried about the midwife seeing my bits for the sweep, which is ridiculous when you think about it as I imagine they'll get a lot of attention over the coming weeks! 🤣

I'm planning on keeping active today and doing some cleaning, however I've lost track of the amount I've cleaned things 'for the last time' before baby arrives! 😩

@Stargazer87 good morning :) hope you’re feeling ok today. I’m seeing midwife in a couple of hours and I think I’m gonna accept a sweep, not 100% sure yet. Then this afternoon I’ll keep active by doing some cleaning and washing my hair, and might give the colostrum harvesting another go!

@Scotabroad24 you’re right, we will all wonder what we were so worked up about once our babies are here 😊 hope you’re feeling a bit better now

Can having a sweep when your body/baby isn’t ready do any harm? That’s the only thing I’m concerned about- messing around in there when it’s not ready and causing issues. Feel a bit silly saying all this to midwife!

@bleachblondemom there is a risk of breaking your waters prematurely, and then they'll put you on a countdown to start having contractions and go into labour otherwise if too much time elapses it poses an infection risk to the baby. Normally 24-48 hours and then they'll induce you, it depends on your trust.

@bleachblondemom I understand that if your body isn’t ‘ready’ they can’t physically undertake the sweep. I think the cervix has to have started softening and have started to tilt forward (I believe it usually much faces backwards) which are all positive signs so I think if your body isn’t ready - the sweep won’t be possible. (I’m not an expert just had one on Friday so relaying what I was told )

Just seen the midwife for my 41 week appointment and there was a lovely student midwife there who fainted, the poor thing! Luckily she had already leant against the bed and fell backwards and not forwards, it's so high she probably would've broken her nose. Hopefully she just needs to eat or drink something but I feel so bad for her, I think she was quite embarrassed.

We didn't book an induction yet, the consultant midwife who I've seen before is going to call me later today to go through things and we'll try to make a plan as it's a slightly unusual care plan I have.

Hopefully baby makes an appearance sometime this week!

Thanks all, I think I am gonna go for it :)

I'm having my first sweep tomorrow and the midwife said that even if she's unable to do it at least it will give us a clearer idea of what my body is doing and if I might go into labour naturally...

@Stargazer87 yeah exactly even if she can’t do it at least she can give me an idea of what my body is doing, I hate not knowing, I like to be informed!

@bleachblondemom I agree, I've had so many twinges and pains over the past few weeks that I'm hoping that they must be doing something! 🤷🏻‍♀️

Urgh couldn’t even have a proper sweep as cervix is closed 😔 baby is more engaged than last week but not fully. Induction booked for next Monday, feeling a bit down now 😔 I’ve just got home and I’m bleeding very very lightly, is that normal even though she didn’t actually enter my cervix?

@bleachblondemom Oh no, that's a shame! Was it painful? At least you've got a week before the induction to hopefully let things progress naturally...🤞🏻

@Stargazer87 no not painful at all, I don’t know whether it would’ve been if she’d actually got in my cervix but as it was I barely felt a thing. Yeah got a week to shift it! She suggested sex again but I am soo not in the mood now 😂

@bleachblondemom I know what you mean, sex has never been less appealing than right now! 🤣

Just walking around the house is so painful today, it feels like she's literally going to fall out of me...if only! 🙈

@bleachblondemom sorry to hear the sweep didn't work, at least you have another full week for things to progress... will you try again for another sweep before induction?

@Stargazer87 good luck for yours tomorrow!!

I've spent the day cleaning and scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen even though they were both already spotless managed at least 5 hours sleep last night so feeling a bit more positive today. Had a really bad stomach today... hoping it was the pre labour clear out ive read so much about but not holding out much hope tbh!

@bleachblondemom if it makes you feel better. I went for a sweep on a Saturday and they could barely do it too as cervix was closed and baby not really engaged. Went into labour naturally two days after. Fingers crossed for you!

I've just had an upset stomach and also a little bit of bleeding - could it be my bloody show? There was no mucus?

@Helenknowsbest thank you that makes me hopeful!

@Scotabroad24 I’ve had a dodgy stomach today too, been to the loo 3 times, and a couple of other times felt like I need to but nothing there... hoping it is the clear out!

Been on my feet all afternoon as well to give gravity a chance, spotting a bit but no mucus.