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Original poster

41 weeks - any hope of a natural labour?

43 replies

AnyHopee · 30/09/2021 22:34

Hi all

I’m deflated and disheartened while I write this post. I’m 41 weeks so overdue by a week now and no real signs of labour.

Is there any hope? I was really hoping for it to happen by now.

Thanks all

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RoseAndGeranium · 30/09/2021 22:52

Yes! Definitely still time. I had both my babies by uncomplicated spontaneous birth at 41+4. I was pretty confident that the dating scans for both pregnancies were out by 4-5 days so although there was a lot of pressure to induce I decided to hold out until I was 42 weeks by my dates rather than theirs.
Good luck!

Original poster
AnyHopee · 01/10/2021 00:29

@RoseAndGeranium Do you really believe it could happen still? Did you go from no labour symptoms to labour on that day or was it a gradual build up? I’m feeling very down, as if my body is failing me and it’s not doing what it’s supposed to x

OP posts:
IdrisElbow · 01/10/2021 00:42

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

MollyBloomYes · 01/10/2021 00:50

To answer your second post OP you absolutely can go from no signs to labour. I was a bit earlier than you, 40+6 when I went into labour but it was a heatwave, I was miserable, swollen feet, felt like NOTHING was ever going to happen and had absolutely zero signs. I was mentally preparing myself for induction.

Went to bed one night and woke up at 3am to a strong contraction and they just kept coming. So you can definitely have absolutely no 'warning signs' beforehand and still spontaneously go into labour.

This bit of pregnancy is absolutely miserable. Good luck OP, and whatever happens it will be over soon!

Pantheon · 01/10/2021 07:04

In some countries like France they class pregnancy as 41 weeks. You're only overdue at 42 weeks. I know it's a hard wait! My dd came at 41 + 5 and labour just randomly began in the middle of the night. Hang in there OP x

ChewChewPanda · 01/10/2021 07:15

My labour began the day before they were planning to induce me (so 41-6 I guess). I had the proper stereotypical waters breaking in a big wave and then contractions starting immediately after. They ramped up quickly once they started so I ended up going to hospital within the hour and staying there (unlike all the antenatal class prep for spending lots of early labour at home building up gradually). And I had DC relatively fast once there. There is definitely still time for a spontaneous birth.

alwayswrighty · 01/10/2021 07:21

My first was 2 weeks overdue. Had very minor contractions start at 11am, had a KFC because I thought the hospital would send me home as they had done previously, got to the hospital at 12.30. My son arrived at 1618hrs.

Second pregnancy. I was 40 + 5. The hospital said I should go home. Home was an hour away. Walked downstairs to get to the car, turned around and walked back up the stairs. Daughter was born 2 hours later.

It can be so quick. I know this is the worst time, but you will get there x

Kate105 · 01/10/2021 08:08

This is what I needed to read this morning! 40+3 today, attempted sweep was unsuccessful because my cervix is still so high... Got my dates moved forward by 5 days at the 12 week scan and convinced that it can't be right, so nervous about being sent to be induced if I'm not as far over as they think I am.

In the meantime, literally no signs of anything, not even a BH!

Original poster
AnyHopee · 01/10/2021 09:07

These are all such positive stories and give me hope, I will keep you all posted x

OP posts:
RiverSkater · 01/10/2021 09:13

Yes, both mine were two weeks late. And huge - 9lbs the both of them.
Managed to push them out and I was over 40 😊

RiverSkater · 01/10/2021 09:14

Go for a long hilly walk!

Good luck 🤞

Kindertonguehappierlife · 01/10/2021 09:15

With my DD I went to 42 weeks. Refused all intervention and had no sign at all of impending labour until the day I gave birth to her when I woke up with contractions

JasonMomoasgirlfriend · 01/10/2021 09:15

Yes my cousin definitely went two weeks over her due date and then started contractions.

Can you go for a long walk?

Original poster
AnyHopee · 01/10/2021 09:31

A long walk shall be scheduled in today, any other ideas? What else can I try?

OP posts:
JasonMomoasgirlfriend · 01/10/2021 09:33

Bouncing on your ball if you have one?
Standing cooking.
I think when I went into labour I cleaned the whole house from top to bottom the previous day. In the evening I was thinking my back felt a bit uncomfy but thought it was from doing too much.
I had a bath.
Woke at 5.30am with faint contractions and went from there

Kindertonguehappierlife · 01/10/2021 09:35

Definitely recommend pumping to start things along

Musmerian · 01/10/2021 09:47

42 + 3 with my third. I had independent midwives and a home birth so no pressure to induce. In the end the dates are notional and everyone is different. You don’t have to agree to induction if everything is ok.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 01/10/2021 10:12

I went into labour naturally at 41+3, as PP's say, stay active, long walks, bounce on ball, I had accupuncture, speak to you MW regarding aromatherapy, some trusts offer that with clary sage oil.

Best of luck!

FanFckingTastic · 01/10/2021 11:21

A long walk shall be scheduled in today, any other ideas? What else can I try?

OP - plan something really nice for yourself over the next few days. Babies have a habit of arriving if you've got a nice lunch, cinema trip, nail appointment, catch up with friends etc arranged :- On the plus side, if labour doesn't start at least you will be enjoying the last few days of quiet before your baby arrives. My DS1 arrived after spontaneous labour at 41+5 so there's definitely still time!

SoundAndVisions · 01/10/2021 11:22

I had my baby at 41+3! Went in for a sweep on the Monday at 41 weeks with an induction booked for Saturday but I had him on the Wednesday! The day before I went for a long walk with DP and ran up and down a flight of stairs a few times (MW recommended going up sideways like a crab so I did a bit of that) came home and got on the birthing ball and then had a relaxing evening with fajitas for tea. Had back ache in the evening but didn’t realise it was starting then woke up in labour the early hours of the next morning!!! Good luck OP ☺️☺️

GemmaRuby · 01/10/2021 11:24

I had my baby at 41+2. No prior symptoms.
Had a nice Chinese takeaway, relaxing evening and went into labour!

I know it’s difficult, but just try to enjoy the last few days of baby free time. Do something nice you won’t get a chance to do once the baby is here.

FTEngineerM · 01/10/2021 11:26

Yes!

Both of mine were overdue so I know the feeling well☹️.

DS1 was 41+1 and DS2 was 41+4!

My induction was booked for Friday and he arrived Thursday, maybe he felt the fear in me 😂

DGFB · 01/10/2021 11:41

Do make sure you’re aware of the risks of going too over though. The NHS isn’t just trying to induce you because they feel like it, it’s because it’s safer than going too over

GemmaRuby · 01/10/2021 12:19

I agree with pp about the risks of going too overdue. I had an induction booked for 41+5 and it made me feel better knowing the end was in sight at a certain date. And then went into labour 41+2 so didn’t need it.

BirdwatchingIsPeaceful · 01/10/2021 12:31

I had bumped into this in YouTube. Maybe you'll be interested.

41 weeks - any hope of a natural labour?