40+4 please help!

[Girlmum24]

Hi 👋🏼
I don’t really know why I’m posting but guess I just need some reassurance/personal experiences.
I am currently full term at 40+4 and really really struggling each day with no labour starting 😢
Back story is with my first baby I was induced on my due date via pessary due to PGP and although I have this again I have maintained my whole pregnancy that I don’t want to be induced as it was a traumatic experience. I really thought that I’d go into labour naturally by now but each day that passes I’m struggling more that it’s probably not going to happen and I will need to be induced anyway (booked for induction this Sunday making me 40+8)
I’ve been drinking raspberry leaf tea, eating spicy foods, walking when I can manage but this is painful due to PGP.
I had my first sweep a week ago, this caused some mild contractions for a few days but it stopped, second sweep was done 2 days ago and apart from some cramping there’s not been much happening. I also lost my mucus plug 3 days ago.
Is it time to just accept my fate of induction? I feel so down 😔

Ah I’m sorry, it’s rubbish isn’t it. I’m due on Sunday but haven’t had any signs at all. Doesn’t help that my friend who’s due a week after me is currently in labour 😆
What I will say is that I was induced with both of mine before and my second induction was easier and quicker by far. So if you do get to induction date don’t worry, it could be a lot better than you think x

have you looked at acupuncture? ive heard of many success stories.

Oh I remember the horrible days of being overdue, crying thinking I would never go into labour and would end up having an induction. It did happen though, no signs before and randomly went into labour at 40+5! Take it easy, don't exhaust yourself.

And if you do get to the induction date - each day that has passed before that your body will be much more favourable for it leading onto a quicker and better induction

I know it's the last thing you're even thinking of at the moment but sex. My sister was overdue so was trying all kinds of things but it was having sex that finally got it started🤣

It is so hard when you come to the end of your pregnancy, especially with PGP on top of everything else. I just wanted to say I had an awful induction with my first but I had my second 4 months ago and I had no signs whatsoever. Then randomly at 40+3 I went into labour spontaneously and had a very quick birth.
Try relax as much as you can and believe in your body. Stay active as much as the PGP allows and baby will come when they are ready.
You've got this mama!

Thank you for all your responses, they have helped so much 🩷

Oof its awful going over, you just want your body back. Personally I wouldnt be getting induced at 40+8 unless there was a medical reason putting you or baby at risk. I wasn't induced for my first but it was quite traumatic (forceps and prolonged awful recovery) and was dreading my second. The hospital really tried to almost force induction on my after my waters broke and I refused as we were being monitored and everything was normal. My labour turned out to be amazing and she literally flew out within 4 hours.

Do some of what other posters have suggested, get a few more sweeps in if needed and just try and relax :) good luck!!

I was booked in for an induction at 39 weeks which was a Tuesday due to gestational diabetes, I really didn't want to be induced so on the Saturday I tried walking up and down the stairs as much as I could - I managed 10 times, I also had a bath with clary sage oil I put about 15 drops in the bath and then rubbed some on my bump too, the next day I was in labour and had my baby, I think it was the clary sage - I did use this a few days before just rubbing on the bump but I used as much as I could and think it worked

Youtube - Care about little ones. They have videos that are science based and have a playlist on induction at home. I followed their advice last pregnancy and doing it again.
Tip - stress about induction wipe make things worse. You need to chill out as much as possible and relax that's ehen Labour starts. Your body will refuse to start labour if it is in flight/ fight mode.

Massages / Epsom salt soaks / aromatherapy. Whatever you need to do to go to a happy and relaxed place.

A good idea is to have a few hours of down time at nighttime no noise, meditation and relaxation. Get DP to massage legs and feet whatever you find relaxing.

I just wanted to update for anyone reading 😊
I went into hospital on my induction day to be examined and not actually need anything as I was already well on the way myself. I waited in maternity ward for 12 hours for a space in labour ward and by the time I went down I was fully in labour and my little girl was born 5 hours later 🩷 the only intervention required was my waters needed to be broken. A great outcome for me for sure 🥰

Thank you for the update! So glad it went well for you 😁 I’m now 40+6 and due in for induction today. I’m hoping my body is part way there already. Enjoy your newborn xx

Thank you 🥰 good luck with everything today xx