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?

The vast majority of first time mums don’t have a calm water birth even if they have a straightforward delivery. I’m not saying this to be a dick, just that it isn’t induction OR amazing water birth, so you haven’t failed at anything. Good luck! Fingers crossed you wake up tonight with some suspicious pains! (Sounds weird saying that lol)

If you can tomorrow, do something that raises your heart-rate, so more than walking, maybe swimming would be good in this heat? I think it was the raising the heart-rate plus the moving that worked for me second time around.

Also, nothing worked with my first. I had planned a home-birth but ended up getting induced at 41+6 and needed an EMCS. It was awful at the time but now he is 2 and I am completely at peace with it. He is a pickle of a child now and it was just like him to be a pickle then 😂. He is also the sweetest loveliest most cuddle-loving boy ever so he probably just so happy inside that he didn’t want to move.

Try, try and let go of the "perfect" birth expectation. However baby arrives will be however they arrive. There's so much pressure to birth a certain way, it doesnt bloody help things!! Hope youre managing to relax this evening xx

Thank you everyone for their messages and support! 100% in agreement with everyone who has said about letting go of the idea of a "perfect" birth - I realise there isn't one and there's definitely no rules or guidelines to follow either!

Had my second sweep today and felt confident and comfortable enough to ask for 48 hours to allow it a chance to work. Induction is booked for Thursday evening if needed and I've already had a much more relaxing evening at home with my partner. I think I'll wake up tomorrow feeling more at peace knowing that the next step is already taken care of.

Happy pottering about the house tonight and on my ball to feel more comfortable as it's pouring with rain here and walks aren't on the schedule now! Thank you again for all the kind words ❤️

After 16 days overdue, two failed sweeps, a balloon induction, meconium in my waters when they broke them and a dip in heart rate - baby boy was happily(!) born on the 28th of June at 9.43am weighing 7lbs 7oz 💙

Everyone is happy and healthy and very tired. Thank you all so much for your advice, help and encouragement that got me through the last stretch of my first pregnancy xxx

Well done and Congratulations!

Aww, so pleased for you! And glad this only went for 3 pages before his birth, thought we might've been in for a long traumatic haul there for a minute!

Well done OP, little boys are the best 😍

Congrats! So nice to hear happy news!

🌹 for mum, 🍼 for baby 😀

Congratulations OP! Lovely news, thank you for updating us.

Congratulations 🥳