Why am I not going into labour?

[BridgetWhyNot]

Exactly that.

It's been 6 days. Had a show yesterday but nothing else.

Why. Why. Why.

Because due dates are bullshit, you're not a sandwich with a best before, nature is variable, pregnancies are at term anywhere from 38 weeks to 42 weeks and due dates are largely used for administrative purposes such as calculating mat leave.

It'll come when it comes, do oxytocin inducing activities to have the best chance of speeding it up!

It sucks, I went two weeks over with my first but try not to think of it as 'overdue' as if the baby is unpunctual!

@EnidFrighten

Because due dates are bullshit, you're not a sandwich with a best before, nature is variable, pregnancies are at term anywhere from 38 weeks to 42 weeks and due dates are largely used for administrative purposes such as calculating mat leave.

It'll come when it comes, do oxytocin inducing activities to have the best chance of speeding it up!

It sucks, I went two weeks over with my first but try not to think of it as 'overdue' as if the baby is unpunctual!

Thank you! What kind of oxytocin inducing activities do you recommend?

My midwife keeps threatening induction and I've no reason to be induced.

I went 13 days over with baby number 1. Got induced at day 12 and it was a quick and easy labour. Thought I deserved that having had to wait longer to meet him 😂 got induced with baby number 2 at 39+3 due to his size. Both inductions were good experiences for me and quick labours with no complications x

Good luck btw xx

I feel your pain OP - I’m 9 days over and just had my second sweep.

People keep suggesting; walking, bouncing on a pregnancy ball, sex, warm bath.

Why are you so anti induction?

I feel you. I’ve been in latent labour since the end of last week. It feels like nothing is speeding up. No show or waters yet… just inconsistent contractions that never get closer than 8 minutes apart, and don’t massively hurt yet.

I’ve tried walks, sex numerous times, two baths, essential oils, squats. Still no progress 🙈

I’m not keen on induction either. I’ve been booked in for a sweep after my midwife appointment later this week but I don’t intend to have it.

Nipple stimulation, orgasms, sex- all induce oxytocin.
Enjoy!
14, 12, 10 and 11 days overdue here- enjoy each day post-dates… have nice hot baths and sit down having a hot cup of tea and read books etc. Or book a haircut or eyebrows to get done and guaranteed baby will arrive that day to ruin your plans.
Tbh with a show already it’s on its way- relax and calm down so that your body feels safe to give birth.

Ugh I feel you. I am 11 days over today ( by hospital calculation .. 5 days by mine ) . Had 2 sweeps but no sign of any change. Got an induction booked for tomorrow and at this point I am willing to go along with whatever they say to get her out :)

Oxytocin: love-filled things so sex, masturbation, nipple twiddling but also cosy hugs, hot choc, watching Pride and Prejudice etc. Basically whatever makes you feel nice. I think I read sex is supposed to help partly through orgasm but also the prostaglandins in semen ripen the semen, you can achieve the same by consuming it so go blow if you have the energy!

Pineapple is a myth, you'd have to eat about ten of them to do anything and I can tell you from experience that your tongue will be tenderised to fuck and hanging out of your mouth well before then.

I did jigsaws, bounced on a ball, made pies and cakes, did painting. Instead of feeling impatient, try to think little mantras like 'I'm ready for you to come, little baby' etc.

ripen the cervix

@Stressymcstress

I feel your pain OP - I’m 9 days over and just had my second sweep.

People keep suggesting; walking, bouncing on a pregnancy ball, sex, warm bath.

Why are you so anti induction?

Had an induction with my first and it was pretty horrible

@TakeYourFinalPosition

I feel you. I’ve been in latent labour since the end of last week. It feels like nothing is speeding up. No show or waters yet… just inconsistent contractions that never get closer than 8 minutes apart, and don’t massively hurt yet.

I’ve tried walks, sex numerous times, two baths, essential oils, squats. Still no progress 🙈

I’m not keen on induction either. I’ve been booked in for a sweep after my midwife appointment later this week but I don’t intend to have it.

Oh... nothing seems to be working! I wish it would just happen now.

I'm starting to feel very nervous now though and wonder if it's delaying things subconsciously!

Go for a walk.
Bounce up and down on a birthing ball while watching a couple of cheesy romantic films in a cosy warm room with dimmed lightening.
Sex or a bit of self love.

What does “threatening” induction mean?

You know they can’t make you right?

They have absolutely no control over your medical decisions.

You’re not even a week over yet - with my second child I decided to just wait it out and I got to 41+6 before contractions started.
I was going in for regular monitoring just to make sure movements and heart rate etc were good and once I got to 41+4 I had a sweep.
Whilst I was in one day for monitoring one of the lovely midwifes said that they had all just been having a chat and agreed that they wouldn’t agree to any induction plans until they were minimum of a week over. And that’s from the midwives.

Induction has its place but don’t feel bullied into it because there are lots of options at this point.

Keep active, lots of ball bouncing, swimming, reflexology….

Good luck!

Yeah - I feel the same! I think I had mucus plug 3 days ago, but not much is happening. Had some mild contractions, but they stopped. Baby feels quite low down. Good luck!

With my first I was 14 days overdue and had a good cry with the frustration. Labour started almost immediately.
With the second, waters had broken and 36 hours later still no sign of labour. I had a good cry again and went into full blown labour.

I have heard the same from others, as if crying seems to release something and labour starts. Good luck.

Because baby wants to test your patience already!

Good luck

I never went into labour- was induced and then very dramatic emergency c section. I wish I had just gone straight for the c section (and did exactly that with DD2)

Walking. Its what started my contractions off and l was 3 days overdue. Good luck.

@Missrabbitt

I never went into labour- was induced and then very dramatic emergency c section. I wish I had just gone straight for the c section (and did exactly that with DD2)

How does this help OP?

Missrabbitt - that helps me - I have been wondering about induction vs c section if I go significantly overdue. I’m tending towards c section, but will wait and see.

@Namenic

Missrabbitt - that helps me - I have been wondering about induction vs c section if I go significantly overdue. I’m tending towards c section, but will wait and see.

Ask for your bishop score at the time (put together of all the indicators of labour progressing) - if it’s very low you’ve got a very high chance of needing a c section. Wish I had known this as mine was a 2 and remained there for 24 hours yet they continued with the induction

disclaimer: read up on bishop score yourself as I am no expert and my labour memories are fuzzy