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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Waiting for bed on labour ward to have waters broken 41 + 5

50 replies

Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 10:09

Hi,
I’m 41 + 5.
I’m wanting any advice/experience of anyone who had to wait for a bed to open/one on one care for their waters to be broken.
I was told to come in for induction on Monday. They were going to use balloon catheter or pessary. However, when they checked my cervix, I was already 3cm dilated. I got to skip this step and they said someone would call to let me know when there’s a bed available with one on one care to have my waters broken. She also offered me a sweep there and then and I decided to take it. This would have been the third sweep in 7/8 days and also unsuccessful.
I’ve been doing all the right things since Monday such as walks, birthing ball, staying active. However, the past two days I’ve been feeling rather fed up, upset and teary as I am now close approaching 42 weeks.
Nothing is happening naturally, I’m having to go in daily to be traced and every time I go in they set me a new time for the following day, but it’s clear that it hasn’t been put on the system as they always seemed shocked that I’ve come in at that time. They call labour ward every time I’m there, but unfortunately they’re still just as busy. Everyone I have seen have been lovely and compassionate and I know it’s not their fault, but I’m getting more and more anxious now.
I guess my real question is, will they leave me beyond 42 weeks or will I all of a sudden get a bed? I keep searching for anyone in this situation and nothing comes up apart from bad things can happen beyond 42 weeks come up. I’ll be 42 weeks in a couple of days and becoming very anxious.

Thanks in advance,
M

OP posts:
mummyh2016 · 27/10/2023 12:17

Honestly, probably not the right thing to do but if I was you I'd tell them you're not going home! I get if there are no beds there aren't any beds but they'll be finding them for those coming in already in labour and you're at a point now where you're constantly told baby should be out.
Or tell them if they can't find you a bed you want a section.
Or ask them to contact other hospitals to see if they have space for you.

cruciverbalista · 27/10/2023 12:34

I was stuck waiting in your position for about 2 and a half days. However I was <41 weeks. I'd be surprised if they let you go over 42 as a hard deadline, I think you'd be bumped up the list at that point. Maybe worth asking just for more transparency though. Good luck!

Original poster
Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:01

Thank you. I have told them I’m happy to go anywhere and they have alerted 4 other towns around my city. They have said that they’re just as busy but at least they have my name just in case something opens up.
I will be asking during todays tracing what happens at 42 weeks on Sunday as it’s becoming draining now.

thank you for your reply.

OP posts:
SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 27/10/2023 13:06

Put in a complaint to PALS, you're almost 42 weeks, been in hospital daily since 41 weeks and you still haven't had your waters broken and you feel baby is at risk as you're so far over term. You should be a priority. Have they done any dopplers to check blood flow through the cord?

MrsJPinkman · 27/10/2023 13:07

I would have lost my shit already, not the right thing to do but I would have. I would have also refused to leave.

Original poster
Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:08

im in everyday to be traced. They check his movements and heart rate. No extra scans have been offered.

OP posts:
MrsJPinkman · 27/10/2023 13:10

Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:08

im in everyday to be traced. They check his movements and heart rate. No extra scans have been offered.

What part of the country/area are you in?

Original poster
Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:11

South Yorkshire x

OP posts:
MrsJPinkman · 27/10/2023 13:15

You're going to have to get a bit more forceful with them. Don't let them fob you off with the " we don't have a bed " line.

We arrived at the hospital with my first DC, I was in a lot of pain and panicking like mad. I kept asking for drugs ( we lived 12 miles from the hospital )

They kept telling me that they wasn't sure if they had a bed, couldn't give me anything until I was examined and even then, they might have to send me home.

My husband politely but firmly told them we lived quite far away and we wouldn't be going anywhere. I was 4cm and a bed was found immediately.

Muddle2000 · 27/10/2023 13:19

After reading all these posts who would want to have kids?
They system is justdire

Original poster
Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:21

Please just advise needed.
clearly, I would like child and safely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mimi2797 · 27/10/2023 13:21

I think you’re right!
Going to have to put my foot down today.

OP posts:
SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 27/10/2023 13:22

Then I agree it's temper tantrum time. You are 41+5. You are not satisfied with daily monitoring, you are almost 42 weeks and placenta could be starting to fail. They have not checked him on a scan or done a doppler to check blood flow.

You want a bed to be found today. You will not be leaving, if they try kick you out you will be lodging formal complaints with PALS and CQC.

Ponche · 27/10/2023 13:28

Such an awful situation, it’s so bad. I was induced on a Friday, ready for waters to be broken on Saturday night but didn’t get a bed till Tuesday afternoon. I was 39 weeks so didn’t have the added concern of being overdue as in your situation, but was in for reduced movements.

I hope you get a bed soon and agree with PP that you may need to just put your foot down to be heard. Best of luck.

Ponderingwindow · 27/10/2023 13:38

if there are signs of anything actually going wrong, they will induce, but being induced just because of the calendar isn’t necessarily a good thing. Induction is an intervention that comes with its own risks. Your baby might actually need this extra time.

being in limbo is frustrating, but this isn’t necessarily a dire situation.

Underoneroof · 27/10/2023 13:41

This was me 3 weeks ago and also S Yorks so likely the same hospital…

I was in for daily monitoring and waiting for my waters to be broken and turned away for 6 days straight having initially had an induction booked for 41+5. One of the most stressful situations I’ve ever been in - it’s completely unacceptable to leave women pregnant at this late stage, with risks increasing, hence NICE guidelines recommending induction asap post 41 weeks. Agree that PALS need contacting, would also suggest writing to your local MP too to highlight the failings in your maternity care.

They eventually admitted me at 42 weeks - I attended the maternity unit that morning with reduced movements and refused to leave without my baby in my arms and magically a bed appeared for me…

Good luck and hang on in there!

MrsJPinkman · 27/10/2023 13:46

Do you have a husband/partner/birth partner that can speak for you? Sometimes it's easy to get them to speak out as I'm sure you are most likely emotional, fed up and exhausted by now.

I also found this helpful in labour. My DH knew what I wanted and was able to speak for me when I couldn't.

jadey1991 · 27/10/2023 13:49

Hi op sorry you feel like this. I would go to the hospital and demand that they pull there fingers out there arse. Explain its making you anxious and tou will not be leaving. Have ur waters broke

HesDeadBenYouCanStopNow · 27/10/2023 14:01

My body apparently just takes longer to hatch and delivers big bouncing babies. 41+4 with induction 9lb 11oz and 41+6 natural after sweep 9lb 4oz

The natural start was better, long slow day of contraction at home, then sped up rapidly and delivered a few mins after arriving at hospital. But felt no pain as such, and recovered quickly, leaving a few hours later as soon as I could get checked by a dr

I think our 40 weeks principal is a bit too firm. As long as the baby is still healthy and the placenta is still working well then I'd let nature take its course.

Lots of walking, bending and stretching, and avoid laying down too much. Gravity is your friend 😊

Good luck and wishing you a birth soon if a healthy bouncing baby

thejadefish · 27/10/2023 14:26

As PP's have said I think you're going to have to insist, this is awful. I was in active labour with DC1, arrived at the hospital with contractions 4 minutes apart etc etc, no beds available. They wanted to send me home, hubby said no (I'd been in labour for about 18 hours already by the time I got to hospital & was in pain anxious and exhausted) so they put me in a side room. I had to wait 26 hours for a bed in the end (labour didn't progress so ended up with an emergency c-section), goodness knows what would have happened if hubby had let them send me home (I wasn't in any position to stand up for myself by that point so glad he spoke up for me). Insist, insist, insist. I know the system is under massive strain but its diabolical it really is, they really really need to get you a bed. I feel for you, hope you've gotten a bed already & wishing you a speedy safe delivery.

fourelementary · 27/10/2023 14:35

Honestly? No point on throwing tantrums or refusing to leave etc. They are checking on your baby daily and it’s only a few days which could give him time to get going himself… are you having regular sex? Nipple twiddling etc? Give yourselves every chance for a natural start to labour, and ask the questions about “if we are to leave it til day 14 over- what then?”
FWIW I was similar first time and baby arrived at 42 weeks after being induced day13. Second baby was a waters breaking only induction and she arrived around 6 hours after they were broken on day 12 post dates… so I DO have a lot of sympathy for going overdue. All four of mine have been late!

NorthCliffs · 27/10/2023 14:40

I had 3 of mine under South Yorkshire (1 vaginally, 2 ELCS). My first was born at 40+14. They said they wouldn't have let me go a minute after 42 weeks, I had him at 5am when they were preparing an ELCS for 8am. Good luck to you 😀

MrsJPinkman · 27/10/2023 15:32

Please let us have an update OP, when you can. Best of luck

jadey1991 · 27/10/2023 15:38

Any luck op

fancyfrogs · 27/10/2023 15:43

Thinking of you. Hope you're getting somewhere today x

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