41+3 and feeling disheartened

[mml1992]

FTM and currently 41+3 after a failed sweep on Wed due to not being dilated. Feeling very disheartened after over a week of on and off cramping and back pain - I think(?!) I may have had some of my plug come this morning but still very unsure.

I’ve been going walks, tidying the house, bouncing on my ball and taking warm baths in the evening, hoping each night that I’ll wake up to something in the night. Sadly nothing and after doing hypnobirthing classes, I’m really hoping I won’t have to be induced.

Has anyone had the same experience? I keep feeling like I’m building to something but waking up the next day feeling so disappointed. Is there still a chance of going naturally?

Do you know what position the baby is in?

Are you booked in for another sweep?

YT channel Care about Little ones is amazing.

I was induced at 41+2 with first baby and again at 41+ 3 with 2nd. Both were positive experience so please don’t be too worried about an induction.

It sounds like things are moving in the right direction. Although it feels unfair and frustrating at the time, some of us just carry our babies for a bit longer than average (especially first babies).

Mine were 11 days, 13 days and 15 days past their due dates. If I had ten children I think they’d all come late!

Keep going, this time next week you’ll have your baby in your arms.

I've had 4 inductions for being (very) overdue, they didn't lead to any sort of assisted delivery.

@rubyslippers last appointment I was told baby was 3/5ths engaged and with his back slightly to my side. No mention of anything that would make him coming more difficult. Booked in on Monday to try for another sweep so hoping it was a piece of my mucus plug I saw this morning 🤞🏼

@Binfire that's reassuring to hear! My own mum was late with myself and two siblings (around the two week mark) so maybe I shouldn't be surprised! 😅

I was induced at 42 weeks because DD just didnt wanna be born! Was amazingly quick! I only had about 30mins of painful contractions and there she was in my arms.
I like to tell myself it was so fast cuz she was really ready 😄

My Mum had super long pregnancies too! Does seem to be a correlation.

@SweetLittlePixie that's so nice to hear! Hoping for this kind of labour if induction is necessary!

@RandomMess I never know what's an old wives tale anymore but I've heard there's a link there from a good few people!

Go for a walk in the morning to the shop. Buy curry ingredients, a tin of rhubarb, some custard and walk back. Cook it. Eat it. Go into labour soon after.

Walk sideways up and down the stairs and use the breast pump! Good luck!

My sister was the same and feeling despondent at over 41 weeks! Her waters went in the early hours of this morning, baby out just after lunch. Wishing you all the best

With my first I was 12 days over so 41+5 went naturally, back to back long labour. I’d look at the positions that encourage baby in the right position (spinning babies) and sex sent me into labour each time, get your partner to massage you, relax, baby will arrive very soon .

This happened to me. I naturally fell into labour at 41 +12 weeks for over 24 hours to then find out I was not dilating quick enough which resulted in an Emergency CS. This was my first pregnancy. I did find it quite traumatic as the midwives at the hospital were not very nice to me. Otherwise, I think I would've been alright with the outcome.

@mouldygrapes congrats on becoming an aunty! Trying my best to keep telling myself it can happen at any time now 🥲 no one can stay pregnant forever!

@mml1992 I always had long cycles and my Mum, we have a very very similar gynae/pregnancy history. So I guess I inherited whatever set of genes controls from my maternal side. Interestingly none of my DDs seem like me at all in that way.

I totally understand I am 41+2 and I really have held out as long as they would recommend me to. I have an induction booked tomorrow this is the last thing I wanted but I have made peace with it as I am so uncomfortable and ready to meet baby. I just keep telling myself that baby just needs a little nudge that is all. Good luck! It’s not easy but it will be worth it

Just plan a non-refundable day out for tomorrow and you'll go into labour. 🤣

No but keep doing what you're doing - sounds positive about the mucus plug too!

Agree with @BeautyAndTheBump1 😂

I went over with DD. 2 midwives (independent of each other) seriously recommended DTD followed by a glass of my fave wine in the bath and an early night. My actual midwife sent me away with those instructions and she'd call me the next morning about inducing that day. Low and behold, I woke up 90 minutes after id gone to bed in full blown labour.

Ill probably get blasted for this due to the wine comment but on reflection i did really truly relax for the first time in weeks of symptom spotting, and i think that's what did it.

Try and relax, i know it's hard, but try and book a treat for tmo that'll just really take your mind off things and have a dreamie evening. Might not work, but it'll do you wonders either way xx

OP I've been there, and it's so frustrating! I had 4(!) sweeps and did everything on the list of things that are meant to make you go into labour. Then I did them all again the following week. I ended up being induced at 42+1. I didn't get the birth I wanted but I did get the healthy baby I wanted. And the sweeps were worse than the labour imo!

Good luck.

I didn't do the non-refundable outing, but what a brilliant suggestion 😂

I agree with the suggestions to relax, if at all possible. When I look back now, I overthought the whole thing and really wish I'd relaxed more.

If it helps try to zoom out. In three years from now you’ll be getting ready for a 3rd birthday party. Does it really matter if it’s tomorrow or in three days time? Or last week?

It certainly won’t matter in three years time.

Try to keep busy and you’ll have your baby in your arms before you know it. If you don’t want to be induced then you don’t have to. I refused as I knew I would go naturally eventually, but know that option is not for everyone.

Best of luck!