40+3 weeks and no sign of labour

[CAMU1]

Hi all

Looking for some stories/reassurance! I’m 40+3 weeks pregnant - first baby - and have been told by my midwife that when I hit 41 weeks I’ll have to book an induction. (For context - I’m under midwife-led care, with no pregnancy or health complications.) As someone who wants a water birth with as little medical intervention as possible, this has really upset me and I’m now anxiously counting down the days until I hit 41 weeks. My midwife has also told me that ‘because it’s my first baby, my body doesn’t know what to do’ - am I deluded in thinking I could have a spontaneous labour?

I’ve read lots of stories about first babies, with people saying they ‘knew’ several days in advance that labour was going to start - various symptoms etc. So far I’ve had a couple of niggles over the past 2 days, usually at night - mild back pain/mild occasional BH (maybe a couple of times a day), and two nights ago I felt a little nauseous as if I was coming onto my period, but then it just went away, and I feel completely fine - full of energy in fact. No mucus plug/show, ‘clearing out of bowels’ etc so far either.

I want to hear some stories of first babies, and whether you had these early signs, or whether everything happened out of the blue? Basically, am I beyond hope to give birth by 41 weeks at this point?!

Hi OP

Midwife here.

NICE guidance has changed recently. You may find these screenshots helpful.

Ultimately it's your choice, and I'm sorry you've not been adequately supported to make an informed decision.

Sorry the pictures have been added in a strange order! The headings in the 3rd picture relate to the table of percentages in the first 🤦🏻‍♀️

I was 42+3 with my first, natural quick labour I refused inductions, I believe in other country's the gestation period differs!

I knew the baby would come when he was ready.

I was booked in for a sweep at 41 weeks, went into labour the night before. With dc2 waters broke followed by quick labour at 40+4. Only sign with both was loads of braxton hicks (for weeks with dc2 few days with dc1). I think the vast majority of people go into spontaneous labour before 42 weeks OP - you’re better off just relaxing, bouncing on ball if you have on and doing plenty of squatting/all fours going up and down stairs to make sure baby is in right position/gravity is doing it’s job!

43 weeks and sure of the dates , didn’t let them induce me , but acupunture did the trick, went into labour, two hours later

I'm in a 42 week trust, but opted for a 41+1 induction anyway. I had zero signs or symptoms of labour. No braxton hicks. I had a midwife appointment at 40+2 and was thoroughly shocked to be 2cm dilated and 50% effaced. A week later at 41+1 I went in to be induced. I was too dilated for induction, 2cm 70% effaced, so put on list for waters breaking and allowed to go home. Contractions visible on CTG but couldn't feel them at all. I went into labour at 4am next morning, they rang me while I was in traige to come in to break my waters. I had to tell them they'd already gone 😂

I was 40+5 with my first before I had any signs at all. Started cramping very low down in my abdomen at about 3pm after bouncing on my pregnancy ball most of the day.

Didnt know what to expect, or what labour should feel like so went into labour ward at about 8pm to be checked. Was only 2cm dilated so went home again.

Back to hospital at 9am the next day, and baby was here by 1.30pm. I also recommend positive birth company book. Gives you a great sense of empowerment. Wish you all the best OP.

With my first baby, I had no signs of labour, wasn't dilated, baby hadn't dropped etc but for some reason my waters broke and mucus plug came out together spontaneously at 40+4 and I didn't get contractions so eventually they induced me (using a drip).

Your midwife should be giving you the facts while also helping you to feel empowered - she sounds a bit tactless. Perhaps you could ask for someone else to be assigned to you? If you do ask then state what kind of midwife you would prefer so they don't just give you anyone who ends up being the same as this one.

About the birthing pool - if your waters haven't broken but your labour has started/you're having regular contractions then you could stay at home in the bath for longer, then go to hospital when you feel you need more medical support.

Just had my third baby. I've had 3 spontaneous vaginal deliveries, I didn't know even 12 hours before that I was going to go into labour. You are not overdue until your 42 weeks and I would only consider induction then, I've been pressured every time to accept induction and refused every time. You can have the lovely water birth you've been planning, get walking, bouncing on your ball, stepping up your stairs, watch some comedy, have a bath and give your self some time to relax, your baby could be in your arms before you know it.

I had absolutely no obvious signs of labour with DC1. On the due date, I got up for a wee about 7am but every time I stood up from the loo, waters were pouring out. Sat down again and they stopped. Took me a while to understand!

Bumbled to the hospital after a shower, hair wash, make up (as you do!) no contractions, got there about 10am and they told me to go home without even examining me. I said I wouldn't until they at least had a look, lots of rolling of eyes, mutters I'm not in labour because I can speak coherently. They had a look and action stations! I was 4cm dilated and DC was born at 2.40pm after a two and a half hour second stage. He shot out when a doctor appeared muttering about a ventouse...!

So, OP, you just don't know! Your baby could be making the exact same appearance in a few hours with absolutely no warning. Good luck and I hope the birth goes well. Look forward to reading an update!