41 weeks and losing hope

[kingfisher657]

Despite having period-like pain nearly every day since 38+4, I am now 41 weeks and still not in labour. Induction tentatively booked for 41+4 or else 41+5. This is my decision - I know I don't have to have an induction, but I think that is the right timing for me. And yet I feel such a sense of dread, and failure, and pressure to go into labour spontaneously before then. I have never missed a deadline in my life and every day it ticks closer. After 2 and a half weeks of false starts, I simply don't believe it will happen in time.

I've decided to try and be optimistic until the last possible moment. Does anyone have positive stories of going into labour during this time frame?

Sorry just seen the latest update (I thought I was at the end of the thread when I posted but obviously not 🙈). Good luck!

Good luck OP! I went into labour with my first baby the afternoon before I was meant to go into hospital for induction, at 41+5. Lots of walking up and down hills, and three sweeps, finally did the trick. The midwife said she had never seen a cervix so dilated but no actual labour starting 😆 The long pre labour pains did mean that I had a quick labour, because my body was ready to go!

No reply from OP since 9.54 this morning - I do hope she's in the full throes of labour now

@stopknockingonmydoor I know, bet her partner is thrilled to be missing the England match 😂

Ah sorry I didn't see there was a page 3 yet! I think I might be in early labour? Stop-start contractions of various sizes, on and off today, ranging from almost painless to really quite intense. Also, bloody show every time I used the toilet all day. I rang the birth centre to make sure the amount of bloody show was ok. The midwife I spoke to thinks it's likely I'll be going into labour properly tonight. Fingers crossed!!

(And neither of us really follows the football, but we can hear the cheers from all up and down the street )

I don't have any words of advice but just wanted to say I'm in the exact same position & you have all my sympathy! 41+1 today and sooo tired of being pregnant and I've had so many signs for almost a month now! My cervix was fully effaced and 3cm dilated at my last sweep and I have another booked tomorrow ... baby just doesn't want to come out! Hope things are starting for you!!

Clara don't lose hope!

42 weeks with my 4th, 6 hours after the first pessary band walking around for hours in pain my Bishops Score was still one 🤦🏼‍♀️ and it was 1 before I got pregnant!!!

Took another pessary and 5 hours to get into labour and then it was over with in 1 minute 😂 8cm, crowned, delivered!

@RandomMess

Clara don't lose hope!

42 weeks with my 4th, 6 hours after the first pessary band walking around for hours in pain my Bishops Score was still one 🤦🏼‍♀️ and it was 1 before I got pregnant!!!

Took another pessary and 5 hours to get into labour and then it was over with in 1 minute 😂 8cm, crowned, delivered!

Aww thank you for sharing that! Definitely encouraging, this is baby #2 and everyone was telling me she'd come sooner than my first etc ... but no! I know she'll come eventually but every day feels so long when you're overdue doesn't it!

With my 4th I just counted to 42 weeks and got my induction booked in with the consultant about 16 weeks.

I was so much more chilled - knew I'd be induced, knew I'd have a whopper, knew when it would be born - sex was the only surprise 😂

I did have a panic when they said my bishops score was only 1 "but it has to come today I don't like odd numbers" 😂😂 I delivered 11,15pm which when you've had your delivery date in your head for 30 weeks was cutting it a bit fine!

I’ve had a natural starting labour and an Induced labour, and for me the induced one was much more straightforward and quicker!
Much easier too and less painful, I did both births with just gas and air.
Natural birth I had a tear, induced birth no tear so it’s not all that bad so please try not to worry xx

Hope you’re doing ok OP

Thanks @AngelDelightUk, I am still here - many more contractions today than yesterday, but still very stop-start. My body continues to move at glacial speed! Hopefully it will ramp up soon, and if not, I have a third sweep tomorrow afternoon that would hopefully tip me over the edge the night before induction.

I had two really slow, long, early labours (both "overdue") but short pushing stages and 2 incredible birth experiences. You'll have that baby soon OP

I also hate the word "overdue"! Saying I am "10 days overdue" makes me feel like a block of cheese that needs to go in the bin

@kingfisher657

I also hate the word "overdue"! Saying I am "10 days overdue" makes me feel like a block of cheese that needs to go in the bin

No one told the baby the dates! Trust in your body. I posted a link further up which helped me loads when I was 'overdue'

I hate this waiting game. My due day is tomorrow (for what it's worth!). I'm exhausted with over analysing every twinge (& boy there have been a LOT!)

My husband and friends must be fed Uk with me whinging constantly 🙈

Hope things progress over night for you, Tuesday isn't too far away now. Try a few of the old wives tales 😂 if your feeling upto them, I ate pineapple from 37ish weeks, baby arrived at 38+1

Good luck OP.

DD was born at 41+5. I started having contractions 24 hours before my induction slot but didn't believe I was in labour as there had been so many false starts!

Didn't have the regular 5-1-1 contractions as per NHS guidance, but was 4cm when assessed, straight up to birthing pool and DD was born 9 hours later.

3 days of stop-start contractions, mostly overnight so that I can't sleep, and they haven't really progressed into anything. Looks like it will be induction then. I shouldn't feel so dejected going into the birth of my child, but I do. It's like I've forgotten the point of birth is to meet the baby, and instead I've turned it into some twisted test of achievement. Feeling like a pretty terrible mum before I even get started.

Awwwwww

Can I be super positive here?

It's very likely one pessary will start things off and it's likely to be a short labour.

Have you a tens machine to help with the pain?

I do have a tens machine, tried it out last night when the contractions were stopping me from sleeping. I didn't like the feeling but maybe I will like it better when contractions are stronger.

Sweep happening imminently, that's my last hope I suppose

I thought the tens machine a bit rubbish until the batteries ran out 😂

Hopefully this sweep will do the job.

I never had a contraction or anything before I was induced and I delivered all of them without assistance.

You could choose to defer induction for a few more days if you feel comfortable with that?

@kingfisher657 how did it go?

@RandomMess It was, unfortunately, a complete disaster. Don't even know where to begin. I will be getting trauma counselling, and I don't want to scare anyone who hadn't given birth yet, as what happened to me was (I believe) quite rare.

On the bright side, I have the loveliest little baby I have ever seen, and looking after him is a joy. It's when I have a minute to myself that all the memories of the birth come back...