Am I ever going to give birth?

[Rainydays890]

40+6 here.
One failed sweep down, got another tomorrow. I just feel like there’s absolutely nothing happening with my body! Just no signs at all. I’m struggling mentally now (feeling abit down etc) physically quite uncomfortable.

I’ve an induction booked for next Monday so I guess the end is in sight in some regard..

Does anyone else feel like this? Sorry for the Debbie downer post but god it’s just taking it’s toll abit. Probably due to lack of sleep as well & being physically uncomfortable! Everything crossed for a Successful sweep tomorrow. Even if it doesn’t do anything - if the me can tell me my body has made a start to prepare for labour I’ll take that!

They all come eventually!
I had my 1st at 41+3. Midwife had tried a sweep at 40+3 and my cervix was fully closed. She was supposed to come to my house at 41 weeks and never showed. I went into labour that day naturally and had baby 3 days later after an incredibly long, slow labour.

Yes you will, I was the same!

I hadn’t had a single pain until 40+8 and even then they weren’t exciting, ramped up a bit the next day and had a sweep at 40+9 and gave birth the next day. I didn’t feel a single twinge or pain until 8 days over and felt like it would never happen! I just mentally prepared myself for 40+12 induction and anything before that was a bonus! Hang in there, not long now🙂

@Rainydays890

40+6 here. One failed sweep down, got another tomorrow. I just feel like there’s absolutely nothing happening with my body! Just no signs at all. I’m struggling mentally now (feeling abit down etc) physically quite uncomfortable.

I’ve an induction booked for next Monday so I guess the end is in sight in some regard..

Does anyone else feel like this? Sorry for the Debbie downer post but god it’s just taking it’s toll abit. Probably due to lack of sleep as well & being physically uncomfortable! Everything crossed for a Successful sweep tomorrow. Even if it doesn’t do anything - if the me can tell me my body has made a start to prepare for labour I’ll take that!

I was in hospital for a week trying to be induced, and eventually opted to have a c section because it was so uncomfortable and nothing was happening.

Try not to stress as it will happen, and it will be so busy when your little bundle of joy comes along that the induction days can be enjoyed if you try :-) I hope it all goes well and stay strong, you've got this! Xx

My dd was late at 41 weeks...I actually began to doubt my sanity and wondered if I was imagining the whole pregnancy

I felt like you did! I chose to be induced with both mine (first at 42w, second at 41w because the first was over 10lbs) I didn’t feel like my body could have ever done it spontaneously, which is a shame!

I’m glad I’m not alone!!! It feels like my body will merrily carry on being pregnant for weeks to come and I’m wondering if my body knows what to do! It’s my first so muscle memory and all that… I shall hang in there and keep focussing on the induction date as the light at the end of the tunnel!

I went to 40+12 with my dd. Hang on in there. It will all be a distant memory soon.

How a week can drag around your due date! My second was induced at 41+2 and didn't make an appearance til 41+6. I think she would have stayed put for another month if she'd had the choice.

I had contractions one night for hours around my due date but it stopped the next morning and this happened twice- think they call it prodromal.

Hopefully yours will kick in when you least expect it and unfold naturally.

I read a Christmas Carol on the induction ward - it definitely got my oxytocin flowing. Keep us updated!

DC1 was born at 40+9 but arrived very quickly once they decided it was time.

DS1 41+1
DS2 41+4

❤️ I know the feeling well, both times I got to the point where I was literally just sat around waiting.

Is there anything you can clean? Skirting boards, windows, shed? 😂

Is there anything you can binge watch?

Can you Marie kondo your drawers?

I feel you @Rainydays890 but I'm one day ahead of you! Couldn't get a sweep at 40 weeks because my cervix was hiding high but I did get one today at 41 weeks so I have made some progress at least! Induction booked for next Tuesday and in the meantime desperately praying that something happens 🤞🏻

I've genuinely cried every day for the last fortnight I've been so hormonal and fed up so I know what you're going through! First baby here too so worried my body is just going to never go into labour of its own accord 😂🙈 plus nothing to compare it to!

Wishing you so much luck for tomorrow, keep us posted xxx

Try having sex?

Also be aware that there really is only so much walking you can do... Stomped round a 5k in a mood yesterday and thought I'd broken my pelvis by the time I got home. Even the midwife commented on how painful I looked today... So don't overdo it 😂

The waiting at that stage is terrible! I got induced with DC3 at 40+10 after trying everything to get labour started because I didn't want to be induced. On the bright side that was my easiest birth and was a really positive experience. Good luck!

I feel you OP!! 40+5 weeks here with baby 3 and also feeling a bit miserable. Everything is aching and it seems she has absolutely no desire to be born any time soon. ☹️ Haven't been offered a sweep and I only have a date to discuss induction, so I've nothing set in stone yet.
I went naturally into labour with my first two at 41+1 and 38+5, so quite random.

Really hope your sweep works tomorrow, I understand you feeling so fed up of pregnancy. 😩

It is a bit miserable but it helps to remember that a normal pregnancy is 37-42 weeks. In fact, in France they set the due date for 41 weeks. The 40 weeks date is set so they can arrange care and psychologically, I don't think it helps as you attach all those loaded terms to it like overdue and late when in fact, it's normal. Most first babies come after 40 weeks too so it feels like we are all being set up for feeling like a watched pot at the end.

It won't be long, promise. Try wearing your favourite trousers and planning something you really want to do. Babies like to scupper plans and ruin your favourite clothes. May as well start them early with a bit of encouragement.

(Sex doesn't help induce labour btw, it's an old wives tale so only partake if you really want to!)

Good luck today OP!

Also I can confirm that none of the old wives tales have any effect whatsoever. I haven't even managed a BH so far and I've tried all the things!

Thank you all for your comments! ❤️ @CaptainSpirit we can do this!!

I’ve cleaned the house to within a inch of its life, I honestly can’t be bothered going for another walk!! Also really not in the mood for any sex at this point (I know - bah hum bug) My midwife did suggest sex in the ‘on top’ position….bless her, I can barely get out bed with out clicking and groaning so given that a miss! Will see how the sweep goes today (fingers crossed she can perform it) and see if anything transpires. Will keep u all updated xx

I was like you 6 months ago! I feel your pain.
First sweep didn't do anything. Second barely did anything. I was crying on the phone to my midwife and felt so depressed scheduling the induction for 2 days away. The same night at 41w2 my waters broke I went immediately into active labor and baby born 5.5 hours later!
Hang in there!
(Sex did help...)

I remember this feeling so well. Mine arrived at 40+6, 41+3 and 41+5. The last one was induced. The buggers were too bloody comfortable in there. Try if you possibly can, to pamper yourself and rest. It feels like this will never end, but it will, and then you will long for five minutes to yourself! Good luck - it will all be over soon! x

my midwife told me that swallowing sperm can bring on labour more effectively than having sex..it was that last thing I felt like doing so I got induced instead 🤣

It’ll happen! Both mine came at 41+4 by scan dates. Do you know if you were a late arrival? Apparently if you and/or baby’s father were late it’s likely that there’s a genetic predisposition toward longer gestation.

Bless you. My first born was induced at 41+5 and came and 42 weeks.
My second came exactly 41 weeks. I had a sweep on the Tuesday and midwife advised lots of sex... sperm has same hormone they use in the gel for induction.
I went into labour about 5 minutes after sex, it's worth a try!

I was 40+6 when I had dd. Always say it but a walk, curry, rhubarb and custard the day before then rhubarb and custard again the next day. Born by bedtime.