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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

40 + 2 planning homebirth

31 replies

Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 12:29

Hi, I'm 40 + 2 and I'm thinking I'm never going to go into labour naturally my first dd1 was born on due date and I lost mucus plug couple days before and this time I haven't lost mucus plug or anything I'm planning a water birth at home now I'm paranoid the baby Is going to be big because I'm overdue. Every night I keep getting back pain and period pains and tightening and thinking this is it and then I go to sleep and wake up in the morning and nothing has happened feeling fed up now and anxious. Any advice?

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Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 30/04/2023 12:34

Just wanted to say my baby was born at 40+2 and she was just over 6lbs so don't worry that your baby might be massive as your late.

I also had no real symptoms until around 12 hours before labour started and only lost my plug 3 to 4 hours before she was born. Just because you still have your plug doesn't mean it will be days yet.

Try and relax as much as possible as anxiety can slow things. I also found long steep walks got things going for me if you can manage that. Good luck x

oliveandwell · 30/04/2023 12:49

Same as above, my babe was born at home 40+2 at 6lbs2. My labour was lightening fast and I lost my mucus plug just before transition and then my waters broke as I started feeling pushy.

I had a home birth too and I would've carried on with that plan up until 42 weeks I expect! Don't worry about size, second labours are (on the whole) wonderfully uneventful.

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 13:04

Thank you, I've got a dog so I've been walking her everyday hoping it will kickstart things xx

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Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 13:05

@oliveandwell thanks for your reply, I'm just paranoid I guess my daughter was 6lb 11 Oz and I had 2nd degree tear so worried of it happening again if the baby was big fingers crossed everything goes well xx

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Starsinthesky22 · 30/04/2023 13:14

Ah I am in a similar situation to you! Currently 40+5 and wish to have a homebirth. My first was born at 39 weeks at 8 lbs 1. Anecdotally bigger babies have gravity on their side anyway so in theory should descend nicely with the weight! Your baby will be perfectly made for your body ☺️ also all those cramps etc aren’t wasted, they’re all probably opening and ripening your cervix ready for established labour! I hope your baby turns up soon!! Good luck!

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 13:41

@Starsinthesky22 thank you for your response. Hope your baby arrives soon and safely too! X

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Springbaby2023 · 30/04/2023 13:48

No advice but solidarity. I’m 40+3 and also feeling it won’t happen naturally, like you I keep getting period pain/ cramps/ braxton hicks of an evening and overnight then wake up very much still pregnant and everything disappears. It’s so frustrating! Also worried about a big baby. My first was born at 38 weeks so was not expecting this.

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 14:10

@Springbaby2023 it's weird isn't it! Everyone said oh the second ones come early but not always the case it seems! X

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oliveandwell · 30/04/2023 14:11

Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 13:05

@oliveandwell thanks for your reply, I'm just paranoid I guess my daughter was 6lb 11 Oz and I had 2nd degree tear so worried of it happening again if the baby was big fingers crossed everything goes well xx

I had a third degree with mine so I understand your trepidation!

I'm planning another homebirth now too! Due in July. My tear was only last year so I am nervous, but I do believe home is the best place to be - just go slow and no forced pushing!

aimeewild83 · 30/04/2023 14:17

I was 40+2 with my third baby and honestly got to this point, where you feel like it’s never going to happen. You gear yourself up for that 40 week milestone and then…nothing. It’s disheartening. But, baby WILL come, when they are good and ready. My boy was my favourite birth so far. It was incredible. It was lovely and quick, I had him at home as planned, in my safe space, I didn’t even have a chance to get in the pool as it wasn’t full by the time I was already breathing him out. It was incredible 🥰 He was a big baby, but I make big babies 🥰 and he was my least painful one as I was so in the zone and focused with my hypnobirthing rituals that I just went with my breath. The hospital tried to make me come in for sweeps from around 38 weeks but I wasn’t interested, I don’t see the point of them interfering 🤷🏼‍♀️. Lots of walking and rest in equal measure for you, baby will be here soon 🥰 xx

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 14:36

@oliveandwell did you have to go to hospital for stitches or could they do it at home? Definitely agree with home being best place more relaxed

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Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 14:38

@aimeewild83 awe that's lovely to hear it all went well for you that's exactly what I'm hoping for! And I agree they have offered me sweeps twice but I have declined x

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aimeewild83 · 30/04/2023 14:47

Stick to your guns hun. You know best, it’s your body and your baby 🥰 I had a second degree tear also (I have with all 3) and this time I asked if it would heal correctly on its own, as it was only ‘just’ a second degree tear and they agreed to let me just heal on my own. The recovery was a million times better then my second child where intervention lead to forceps delivery and a tear, that was not something I got over very quickly.
I hope you have a better night tonight, keep us updated xx

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 15:06

@aimeewild83 thanks for your lovely reply, I agree with let it heal on its own if it's possible I'm hoping for the same if I do tear this time that I could do that fingers crossed 🤞 I've had nothing but problems with the scar tissue from last time so hopefully be better this time! I'll let you know when baby is here and how it went! Xx

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oliveandwell · 30/04/2023 17:57

Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 14:36

@oliveandwell did you have to go to hospital for stitches or could they do it at home? Definitely agree with home being best place more relaxed

Yes I had to go and have surgery to repair. Not quite the after birth experience I hoped for, but they did a great job and it healed really well. X

Dragon306 · 30/04/2023 20:17

I had a home birth with my third baby, my daughter. She was twelve days late! I had two days left in which I was allowed a home birth when she decided to come out. Very easy labour as it was only 2 hours start to finish. As i was relaxed as I was home I didn't tear or need stitches of any kind. with my other two in the hospital I tore both times but they were also quick labours. My second was only 90 minutes! All of my children have been late as they continue to be so in life 😅
Good luck when your time comes and I hope you get to have your home birth. It's an amazing way to give birth. I'm on my fourth and I want a home birth this time too. Just hoping baby allows it to happen.

Jadex92x · 30/04/2023 20:52

I'm the same, I'm due today and having a home water birth! I had a sweep on Wednesday then started losing the mucus plug Thursday morning , Friday morning had a bloody show. Had another sweep on Friday and lost more mucus plug on Saturday and again today. No other signs tho apart from the usual braxton hicks , wish she would hurry up! I've been walking every day , bouncing on my ball had 2 spicy currys but now I'm thinking doesn't matter what you do baby will come when they are ready and not before !

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 21:02

@oliveandwell I'm glad it healed well! X

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Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 21:06

@Dragon306 that was lucky she came in time! Hope all goes well for you this time! Congratulations xx

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Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 21:07

@Jadex92x yes I agree I've done it all too guess they're just not ready!! Hopefully your baby arrives soon! X

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FluWorldOrder · 30/04/2023 21:13

I had my first DD on her due date. Hospital birth, took forever with labour stalling after a night of contractions.

Second DD didn't come till 41+6! Had her at home before we could even get to the hospital as labour was only 5 hours ish. Thought it would take forever like the first time.

Both babies 8lb plus. Baby will come in their own time. Good luck to everyone expecting soon! I found the TENS machine surprisingly helpful (thought it would be a load of nonsense). Home birth was much easier on me than my hospital birth x

Original poster
Ella5678 · 30/04/2023 22:21

@FluWorldOrder thank you for replying! I'm glad you had a better experience the second time around! I'm thinking my baby will also come quicker as labour was only 5 hours last time! Or maybe I'll be in for a suprise x

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Original poster
Ella5678 · 03/05/2023 14:09

Hi, everyone went into labour at 11:30pm last night had my boy at 11:31 am today in birthing pool 9lb 4 oz only had a small tear no stitches required 🥰 thanks for all of your reassuring responses

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LadyJ2023 · 03/05/2023 14:21

4 babies all home births and all late haha but loved every minute so don't panic

LadyJ2023 · 03/05/2023 14:22

Oh my congratulations just saw. Well done 🙂🙂

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