41+4 do I just get an induction now?

[PrincessHB]

I've had a home birth planned through most of my pregnancy. Baby number 3 after 2 reasonably good births... other than no.1 taking so long that I had to have the drip induction through labour which was awful. I should have had an epidural. It was long and painful with sickness throughout. No.2 was quick and a positive water birth in MLU.
I wanted a water birth again and to guarantee this I looked into home birth and hired a pool which has been sat inflated in the living room for weeks now.
I completed the positive birth company hypnobirthing online course and midwives have been very supportive throughout. No issues.
Except now I am 41+4 with less signs of labour starting today than there had been weeks ago. I obviously want to wait out as long as possible to avoid another induction. I don't want the fake hormones and full hospital birth; much of it probably on my own due to restrictions on birth partners before established labour. I am so upset. I have been researching lots and it seems that I can continue to refuse induction until medically necessary but wondering if I am putting baby at risk. Midwife calling tomorrow to see what I want to do. I will probably go for monitoring at hospital to check all OK and then hold out for natural start if so.
Anyone have any similar experiences please?

Bless you, it’s horrible being over. Have you been for a sweep yet? Maybe the midwife can check how favourable your cervix is which could help you decide either way.

I should also add i have had 2 sweeps, lost my plug in bits after those sweeps, sex, pineapple, raspberry leaf tea, bouncing on birth ball, walks, cleaning everywhere, baths, watching funny shows to boost oxytocin levels etc etc!!

Last sweep, cervix was soft and lower than the one from 40 weeks but still could only go to 1cm

If you are only 1cm still with no more signs of labour then maybe it is best to book it in. At least it will mentally give you an end date. They do worry about lack of waters when you go quite far over.

Get the induction x

There are risks associated with pregnancies going beyond 41/42 weeks- I hate the term overdue and due date, pregnancy is 37-42 weeks so the date you are given is a guess date. The baby doesn't get a schedule.

The increased risks are small, it really comes down to you and how you feel about them and the hospital vs home birth. Chat with your midwife about it and see what your options are

Hi op, I was induced at 42 weeks as I reached the point the MLU would no longer accept me as my local one will only take you 37-42 weeks. Baby was born 42+1 so we were classed as high risk with lots more monitoring. When my placenta was delivered, it had already started to turn a greyish colour which are signs it was starting to fail. Midwives said it looked like a smokers placenta. Not trying to scare you but please think carefully about refusing an induction as they are there for a reason. I'm pregnant again and will not go beyond 41+5 for an induction this time round.
Good luck!

Thank you all. I will discuss with midwife tomorrow and already prepped in my mind that I will be induced in the next few days which I'm trying to keep positive about. Hopefully baby decides to arrive through the night now!

I had an induction with epidural for both mine, and it was awesome. Induction does NOT increase the risk of c section.

The risks of waiting are low in number, but so catastrophic. Why would you put your baby at risk for the sake of a little discomfort?

Hi, really sorry to hear that you are going through this. I know how you feel as I experienced this 2 months ago with my third baby. I also had a home birth planned.

I also did not want anything artificial and opted for a foley balloon instead.When it comes out they just break your waters to give you a chance to start contractions yourself. It worked for me. I also asked for as little interventions as possible and had a flexible monitor attached on and off so that I could be as mobile as possible. Albeit not what I planned in the end it was a positive birth.

I hope it all goes well for you! Wishing you best of luck!

So good to hear. Going in for monitoring later and another sweep if they are OK with me waiting out until weds for induction. I will ask for non hormone induction first. I had heard of the balloon but didn't have much information on it.

I’ve been in your exact position with my 3rd baby. All my babies have been late. After doing a lot of research I booked an induction for when I was bang on 42 wks - went into labour about 8 hrs after I booked the induction - my quickest and easiest birth. It may still happen for you but I personally didn’t want to push beyond 42 wks. Fingers crossed baby shows up unexpectedly.