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?

@ButterflySkies it's not something I've touched throughout pregnancy but at this stage I see nothing wrong with a wee glass of wine! You're so right though, I've definitely upped my stress levels my logging my symptoms, looking for signs etc.

Trying my best to relax in the evenings on the couch with a movie or an early night after a bath. As uncomfortable as things have gotten, DTD twice in the last week with no results but partner is always keen to try more 🤣

@Redheadx good luck and all the best for tomorrow! I'm going to hope for the best but will start making plans and my peace with the possibility of inductions after Monday. Just wanna meet my baby safely and that's totally the end goal!

@BeautyAndTheBump1 haha that's definitely a plan! I've been looking forward to the f1 race tomorrow so maybe baby will feel petty enough to interrupt that 🤣

I actually had 'baby by now!' written in my diary on the day when I was 41+3 as that was 10 days over and the midwife told me they didn't allow women to be more than 10 days late! When the hospital is busy they don't induce so in the end DS was born at 42+1. It felt never ending! The actual labour itself was fine and he arrived 4 hours after we got to the hospital.

someone may already have mentioned this but have you tried raspberry leaf tea? xx one tea bag sent me to the labour ward i had it when i was 40+6

Acupuncture! I had my one and only session at 41+5, labour kicked in less than 3 hours later. I swear DC2 would still be in there otherwise! DC1 had been 3 days early so I was not prepared to go that far over! Hang in there!

@tommytippee yes! Been having raspberry tea for weeks now 😭

Update for anyone following or in the same situation!

Had a sweep today in labour ward after waking up with reduced movements. Baby all good and sweep was managed after being told I'm 1cm dilated. Hoping to get home and see if it does the job without any other form of induction.

Anyone else had a successful sweep at 41 weeks?

Relax, but get home and DTD - good for prostogladins!

I must have had a sweep around 41 weeks, i was 41+3 when DD came and was in labour within 24 hours of that last sweep.

Pleased you and baby are ok X

Ps i was 1cm and cervix high not effaced at all when "swept" and by the time i got to triage in labour i was completely effaced and 5cm so it can happen very quickly x

I went into labour 24 hours after my last sweep. I was 41+3. What really did it a think was exercise, I did a barre class which started contractions, they died away but I went into labour 6 hour later!

@ButterflySkies this is great to hear, thank you! Was pleased to hear I'm 1cm as last Wednesday I wasn't dilated at all. Home and been napping/on the exercise ball and hoping to get a walk in before bed too.

Had some cramps and pretty sore back ache since but it's still very on and off, hoping for the best going into night time but have a midwife appointment tomorrow too if needed 🤞🏼

@Moriquendi been hearing a lot about going within 24 hours of a sweep so I'm keeping my hopes high! Definitely want to get out a walk and get some movement in before bed to see if that spur things on. Had some pretty sore cramping about 5 hours ago but it tailed off, willing it to come back!

Did you go for a walk OP? Hope you're feeling good today

@Catnut been on a few walks, had a curry, been bouncing on my ball and taking warm baths but still pregnant! Lost more of my plug yesterday and had cramping on and off but still nothing major happening - feeling extremely defeated 😞

@mml1992 you are days at most away from meeting your baby. Please try and not be disheartened, get outside and soak up this vit d with a massive ice cream (you'll need the energy from it soon!) and just try and rest knowing you are so nearly there!!

I know how crappy it is, but you are so close!!

I never even dilated at all prior to my inductions including that one that was 17 days over!

You have made progress.

Nipple stimulation is supposed to help induce labour, get the breast pump out!

Sounds like you are making progress, I hope you manage to enjoy some rest. I know it can be soooo tough at the end!

Circle your hips on the ball, don't bounce and try some of the Spinning Babies techniques to encourage baby to engage and get into a good position www.spinningbabies.com/overdue-is-baby-engaged-yet/

You've got this! Good luck!

Oh bless you, it’s so frustrating! Please don’t fret over getting the birth you want.
I can’t speak for all hypnobirthing courses, but the ones I looked at made me feel like if I didn’t have this magical, natural birth that I’d failed in some way, so I didn’t carry on with them. I had the pessary at first when I got induced and they said to watch some films that would make me emotional - whether happy or sad to get the oxytocin flowing. I have no idea if that’s just a load of shit but we can only try 😂.

Had second sweep this afternoon but still 1cm dilated. Going to give this one 48 hours to see what happens and then an induction is booked for the end of the week! I'm hoping that having a date in the diary will allow me to let go of a lot of stress - thank you all for your advice!

@MammaTo I loved my hypnobirthing classes and feel a lot more educated from them but I agree! Especially at this stage, I've been saying to friends and family that I feel like I've failed at something. They've been helpful to an extent but I had my hopes set high on an unmedicated, calm, water birth. And if that doesn't happen, I need to remind myself that's absolutely okay ❤️

You haven't failed. Blame the baby for not reading the calendar! In all seriousness, try and get a few last minute things in as you will have your baby very soon and your time won't be your own for a while. I only went six days over with my second and was so stressed, hence the walks, curry, rhubarb and custard and then more rhubarb and custard. My first had been two weeks early and an emergency so this felt forever. Third was weeks late..

Yeah I can relate 100%, you sound like you’re going to make an amazing mum with how thoughtful and caring you are already. I hope everything goes okay for you and you meet your little bubs soon.