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

[Mimi2797]

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

babys movements are all fine and I said I’d like some extra monitoring today. They did do that for me. He’s all good so I’m happy with that as that is of course the main thing for me and he is healthy 🧡
They said at 42 weeks priorities will change and I’ll be sent straight in. So hopefully, if I don’t get a call tomorrow/tonight I’ll be in anyway Sunday/Monday. They gave me another sweep and checked dilation. Now 4cm and cervix is short. Again, can’t complain at the midwives on daycare unit looking after me they were all sympathetic and caring and genuinely listened to my concerns and helped with what I needed.
fingers crossed I get a call soon!
They did also say I can refuse induction and go for a section. This is good to know and something I’ll think about and consider. Just happy that baby is happy at the moment. :)

My partner has been great with communications when I’ve needed :) especially if I’ve been a bit emotional/teary 🧡

We’ve tried and are trying the lot! Lots of exercises on birthing ball and walks too.
again, Im not angry with anyone they’ve all been caring just scared and anxious and it gets closer to being late late!
As long as he remains healthy Im happy, just don’t want anything bad to happen 🧡

@Mimi2797 where I am, they don't let you go past 41+5 and there is a reason for that! I would personally be saying I'm not going home and want the first available bed. Mention how you've been feeling too. It soundsssss like you could be on your way at 4cm and short cervix but I would get a little pushy personally. Whatever you do, rest and sleep. When I was in the 'holding pen' in hospital waiting for a bed on a mad busy night, I just couldn't sleep and I felt that really impacted labour. I fell asleep having my c section in the end. (Which incase you go that route, I am super happy with and would opt for next time).

I’m really sorry OP, but going close to 42 weeks can be so so dangerous for baby.

I would be demanding a c-section right now.

It’s simply not worth the risk.

That's great OP. You're going to meet your baby one way or another in the next few days. Time to relax now you've had confirmation that you'll be top of the list this weekend. You've done the right thing going in for daily monitoring. No need to have been there all week stressing and getting no sleep with loads of labouring mums around you.

Hi Op, i had an EMCS after being left to go to 42 weeks with no room on delivery suite. My son was struggling as it turned out my placenta was now not working properly. It all happened very quickly so i would honestly at this point, refuse to leave the hospital and demand continuous monitoring.

Like pp I don't want to worry you op but there is a good reason that pg shouldn't go on so long

Unless you had a placental doppler scan which was OK I'd be insisting in having my waters broken (I was in your position 15 years ago...3/4cms dilated bit not progressing...)

Go back. Ask for a placental doppler. Refuse to leave.

Good luck x

A certain thing causes oxytocin I can't say here cos prob get deleted, try that. Trust me it will kick things off x

What can't you say?
Sex? Orgasm? Masturbation?

I bet when they do break your waters, your labour will be really rapid.
I hope so anyway.

If you're already 4cm thn you are progressing, personally I'd wait.

Hope you're getting somewhere OP. I was told with my second pregnancy that I would absolutely NOT be allowed to go overdue , due to being high risk for various reasons. I ended up having my waters broken at 41 +2, having been in every day since 39. It was ridiculous. Breaking my waters did the trick though, I was in labour within a couple of hours.

Have you had your baby OP? I hope so ☺️

Have you had your baby, OP?

Hey, just want to jump on this thread. I went in at 38 weeks on Monday to be induced due to gestational diabetes and a larger baby. My cervix was okay that day to have waters broken, so I went on the list to have it done, and here I am Sunday night, still not had it done. Obviously as the time goes by, the baby gets bigger. Has anyone else gone this long on a waiting list? I'm going to be closer to my due date than the induction, so one hand I'm why did you say I needed it, if clearly its not a problem now? In the other I'm thinking it'll get to me needing to have a c section as he'll get too big. I go every day to be monitored and have had 6 sweeps. Some people probably think I'm being dramatic being so upset over it all, but honestly being set up in your mind and then being in limbo, is really taking its toll on me.

I went to 42 + 3. In France 42 is considered full term. It’s better to go into labour naturally when your body is ready. Everyone is different and the stress of daily monitoring isn’t helping. I had independent midwives at home and was checked daily at home.

I was in a very similar situation. In my experience there's no point in 'putting your foot down'. If there's no space there is nothing they can do. There were people giving birth on the induction ward as there was no space on the labour ward. I ended up giving birth at 42+2, beyond the hospital guidelines and how long the midwives said they would let me go. Not a good experience but in my case we were both healthy.

Had my baby yesterday morning at 7.30am after having my waters broken at 5.30am.
contractions started around 6. Fully dilated around 7. Went in on Saturday morning as reduced movements and they kept me in to break my waters.
thank you everyone to all your replies and support. Very happy with my healthy, happy boy 🧡

Fantastic news op. Congratulations! 💐💐💐

Congratulations OP! You've been through an anxiety provoking time so don't worry if you feel an even bigger hormone drop today or tomorrow and can't stop crying! Everything happened as it was meant to. As a PP said 42 weeks is standard in many countries. So your baby got to come out on his own timeline!

Lovely news, OP!
Well done!

Congratulations, wishing you and family all the best 😊

Congratulations! Glad to hear your wait is over

Thank you everyone! 🧡