What brought on your labour?

[summerhillgang]

Just that really. What were you doing? How were you feeling? What did you try?

40+6 over here and feel like I have tried anything, desperately want to avoid induction and sweeps. Will try anything!

Xx

My DS came 3 days early. That day I went Christmas shopping so walked around for about 4 hours, had a big fry up in weatherspoons, then got home and walked the dogs for 2 hours and drank 2 big cups of raspberry leaf tea. Whether any of that helped I don't know, they think he was stressed as waters broke whilst I was asleep (all over new mattress) with meconium in them. My contractions never started on their own though. So I may have actually over done it that day!

Just wanted to say I've been there OP, probably not what you want to hear but with DS I went to 42+2 and even then he needed induction to be pursuaded to leave my body 🤣 I tried everything, EVERYTHING including four sweeps in an attempt to get him out, all did nada. My DD was induced on my due date as I had medical issues with that pregnancy that meant they didn't want me going past my due date and given my previous experience my consultant was under no doubt that I'd have a repeat of DS. I remember with both pregnancies that by the end I felt utterly fed up of waiting, every day felt never-ending and torturous and I think part of me believed I would literally be pregnant forever 🤣 It's hard, be kind to yourself and try to do things for you that distract/ comfort you. Daytime baths, chocolate, films etc. X

Walking walking and more walking. When I thought I had walked enough I walked more. Both mine were late though.

Good luck - just remember that no one is pregnant forever.

I tried going out to lots of things to take the pressure off both tiles. Neither worked as I was induced with both DS & DD. But I must say I don't like the idea of the rush to the hospital, so at least I was already there. If you get induced get a epidural, don't let them talk you out of it. I know from the first time it hurts like hell plus some.

@ExpatForLife everyone says walking. I have a dog I walked twice a day and the school run too, so who knows, maybe walking if you don't walk regularly.

1st and 2nd a long walk seemed to help. Both were very late though.
3rd one I ate very ripe pineapple and also started booking things in for the next few days (expecting to go overdue). She arrived on her due date and I had to cancel quite a few plans! Worth it of course!

I’ve just been for a sweep. Hopefully it’ll work

Witnessing a very serious car accident at lunchtime, and then a lamb vindaloo that evening. Waters broke 5hrs later.

Update! After today's meltdown, I had a VE with my midwife - cervix is soft, stretchy and opening, and generally moving along nicely. So that's made me feel better.

I will accept extra monitoring from Friday or whenever hospital want me to come in. Midwife is looking at how to do outpatient tampon pessary with prostaglandin gel if I need it next week (as I am having a home birth with independent midwife).

Going to have pizza, a small glass of red wine and some sex tonight and see what happens!

Feeling a lot more positive and can feel more cramping happening too x

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken hope so! Fingers crossed x

@summerhillgang

Update! After today's meltdown, I had a VE with my midwife - cervix is soft, stretchy and opening, and generally moving along nicely. So that's made me feel better.

I will accept extra monitoring from Friday or whenever hospital want me to come in. Midwife is looking at how to do outpatient tampon pessary with prostaglandin gel if I need it next week (as I am having a home birth with independent midwife).

Going to have pizza, a small glass of red wine and some sex tonight and see what happens!

Feeling a lot more positive and can feel more cramping happening too x

Hey! Hope you're getting on ok, how overdue are you now? I'm 41 tomorrow will have sweep on Fri PM tho if still nothing. DD was born at 40w, labour began 39+6, so I'm blindsided by this!! I've got outpatient induction booked for Tuesday (pessary) but will be pretty gutted if it comes to that tbh.

Hey @MeadowHay it's such a head fuck isn't it? I am 41+1 now 😩 I have given myself and the baby another week before we do anything else. Like you also considering outpatient pessary but ideally it'll kick off before.

Everything else is good - blood pressure normal, baby active, good cord flow etc and good progression on cervix for FTM. Cramps seem to have started up again.

Just waiting it out and trying to hold my nerve. Sending hugs x

@MeadowHay
My induction is booked for Tuesday too! And I feel exactly the same. I’m really, really hoping for another spontaneous birth.

@AllTheUsernamesAreAlreadyTaken @MeadowHay baby is really low and has been for ages so midwife suggested the Spinning Babies forward inversion so will be doing that a couple of times a day. The idea being that the baby gets the opportunity to back up a bit and shuffle into an even better position, hopefully. So giving the ball bouncing a break for a few days till hopefully baby and cervix gets into prime position. Bit of sex tonight and long walk tomorrow - let's do this! Bring it on baby! X