39 weeks -in need of positive stories!!

[Fipfop]

Really needing some positive stories as I'm feeling pretty flat today. Sorry it's a long one.

I'm 38w6d. I have to be induced on my due date because I have low Papp a. I had a c section for my last birth and am really hoping for a vbac this time. The thoughts of having a c section again, especially recovering with a 3 year old is terrifying.

Anyways I went for a sweep today and they couldn't do it because baby is still completely free. I'm gutted. I've got another sweep booked in for Thursday, then a week tomorrow I'm booked for the balloon catheter (I don't think I can have this if baby is free) or they will just break my waters if I'm dilated enough. However I'm worried that if baby isn't engaged it's unlikely I'm going to be dilated, and my only option left is for a c section.

So if anyone has any positive stories where they've not been engaged, but gone into labour by themselves soon after. Or any experience of the balloon catheter in similar circumstances, or waters being broken at very little dilation. Or positive induction stories from not a great starting point.

Thanks for reading 🙂

My induction was great. I was 39 weeks and was told my cervix was very unfavourable when I arrived. One pessary in at around 5 pm. Fell asleep at 10, woke up at 4 with mild back ache, contractions started at 6 and she was out by 7.30.

Thanks for the reply @Zippy1510. That sounds like a fantastic induction. Unfortunately I'm not allowed the pessary because of the previous c section. Was baby engaged when you went in or did that happen during labour? Had you had any sweeps beforehand or did you just go straight into induction?

My baby wasn't engaged and I had a very high cervix. I was induced at 38+5 and had a fantastic experience. 4 pesseries later and a sweep and my waters broke. I didn't opt for the balloon and I'm glad because I preferred that tbh! Good luck OP! Xx

Thanks @MummaB22 sounds like a great experience! Wish I was allowed the pessary, it sounds like the best way to get things going!

Do you know at what point baby engaged?

Day 2 in the hospital. Then I was sent down to the labour ward. It felt like a life time as my cervix was continuously high. But after the sweep it was all go. All my waters didn't go apparently, and once I was down in the labour ward they broke the rest of them. Once on the drip the contractions where thick and fast. I went from 6-10cm and she was out 12 mins later! X

Wow that's all very fast. Sounds like your body was just waiting for baby to engage and then it was all go!