+5 days overdue...

[BlairWaldorfOG]

Morning/ afternoon (we're sort of floating between both).

I'm not sure of the point of this thread I'm just feeling quite low today so it might be a bit rambling without much purpose. I'm pregnant with baby #4, my first two births were really straightforward and uncomplicated. First due date, second +6 days overdue. My third however was a disaster, scan showed a reduction in waters and growth issues (not as in a small baby but stagnant growth the last couple of weeks). Had a very drawn out shit induction where tablets kept getting inserted but weren't working, eventually after some heart rate dipping they induced me via the drip which worked and I progressed well until the heart rate dipped so low they couldn't find it. Cue a very very quick emergency section under GA. We've since found out my youngest had some medical conditions undiagnosed during pregnancy which may explain the disaster.

Now my section recovery was brutal (as with lots I suppose) I have had PTSD and I shake thinking about being in theatre and the last words I heard being "not picking up foetal heartbeat just maternal" and since finding out I was pregnant with this baby I've been waking up really upset reliving everything (even though it was three years ago). It also triggered an autoimmune condition that had been dormant until the section, the consultant I'm under for that thinks the stress of the section/ delivery probably set it off as apparently this is quite common. My autoimmune condition is currently in remission.

So my plan with my obstetrician has been to get to +8 days and if no baby to have a planned section as the induction took so long and was unsuccessful last time, she felt quite confident I'd manage a spontaneous birth. Now I'm days away from the hospital and I'm in a state, I don't want the section I'm having panic attacks thinking about it, I keep bursting into tears. I felt okay this morning and tried to think about something else for the day when my husband was on the phone to my mother in law I heard her say "I can't see baby coming on its own, Blair's bump is too high it's definitely going to be a section" and now I can't stop crying again.

I would maybe call your consultant and ask if the section could be held off for another few days to see if labour starts naturally or is there a particular reason it has to be done by then? My consultant told me that baby is unlikely to engage until right before Labour or whilst in labour with babies unless it's your first so I wouldn't worry about what your mil said. In the meantime I'd be trying everything to naturally induce labour, walking, exercising, sex etc or maybe request a sweep.

Hi OP, firstly congratulations on your baby!

I currently have my 5 day old baby boy sleeping on me and I had to reply as although my experience was different, I too have experienced traumatic deliveries and know too well how much of an impact this can have when you know you are approaching that time again. All I can advise is to be honest about how you are feeling so they don't leave you hanging too long, whatever type of delivery you have, as for my the anxiety increased the longer overdue I was.

I went 9 days over this time and I really struggled with my emotions towards the end, reliving things that have happened in the past and being scared of what would happen this time. You will be out of the other side of this so so soon and you will meet your beautiful baby and all these feelings will settle. I'm not sure I have been much help but wanted to say that I understand how you feel and I'm sending hugs

Thank you both so much for your replies. My consultant is loathe to let me go much further because my placenta started to fail in the final weeks with my youngest, whilst everything so far seems okay it's just a bit too risky.

I've had three sweeps and the first two felt sort of promising but then the third she really struggled as as soon as she got through my cervix the baby pulled their head back up so there was nothing pressing on my cervix and it fell back (I think that's what she said). Weather has been horrendous today but I've tried to stay active will carry on the sex and walking though and see where we are.

I feel a bit better now, just felt a bit flat and a bit of a failure earlier hearing that conversation and with limited time until pre op.

Why not try some other methods to get labour going, focus on trying to produce as much oxytocin as possible and try and stay away from things that cause you to release cortisol. You want your pelvic floor to soften and open, watch comedy shows that have you laughing so much you can help but pee, literally opening and softening your pelvic floor. Have you tried Accupuncture? I had Accupuncture with my first baby and it was really effective. Maybe no more sweeps as they have been shown to increase your stress and cortisol which goes against you producing oxytocin and you need that oxytocin to get contractions going.

Thanks @apric0t that's really helpful I think I'll rewatch Schitt's Creek tomorrow 🤞 I've declined further sweeps for that reason I've just felt so damn anxious during, before and after. I thought about acupuncture but everywhere around here has a lengthy waiting list which is a shame.

My first baby came on her due date so I was fully expecting my second to come sooner than that but he was born +4 which isn't lots but it felt like ages and like he was never going to come. Bounce on a pregnancy ball, get that comedy on and sniff some clary sage oil. The hospital put so much pressure on you when you go over I know it's hard so prioritise yourself and feeling good until you really have to go in xx

Thank you ❤️ I've been for a walk, been massaging Clary sage oil in, watching trash TV and I'll go with the wives tale and have a spicy curry tonight 😂 I've set my husband the task of foot massaging later to see if that helps after that what will be will be I suppose.

I feel your pain I'm 41 weeks today. Doing all the wives tales but nothing seems to be working. I can be patient, it's the MIL that's getting on my tits with the constant messaging 😂

My MIL is doing the same thing. Plus her saying she doesn't think it'll happen spontaneously is making me feel more resentful. Well let's hope the curry, pineapple and nipple tweaking does something for at least one of us 🤞

Try sitting on yoga ball & moving around on it. It’s so relaxing but also great for your pelvic area & lower body.

Try stay from negative energy too & try hypnobirthing it’ll help your mindset a lot

Thank you, I've told my mum not to ring me until I contact her and my husband has sent my MIL packing so I'm trying to stay in my little family bubble and focus on being positive. I've just had a nice bath, having some chilli for a late lunch and I'll sit and wriggle on the ball for a bit.

Yes you do you! 😀