39+2 weeks no sign of labour FTM

[YOB2]

Hello all,

I am currently 39+2 and a ftm as title stated but no signs of labour. I really want a chance at natural labour hence afraid I might have to get induced as I have gdm and can’t be allowed to go past 40+6 days.
I requested for membrane sweep and scheduled to have it before 40 weeks but I’m having doubts and worried if I will ever have a chance at natural delivery 😔😔. I know most inductions lead to Caesarian section which I really don’t want but nothing much I can do.

Any advises will be welcome.

There's a link between oxytocin and early labour. The more relaxed, at ease, and happy you feel - the more likely it is to happen.

I know it's hard advice but try to switch off from waiting. Do things you really enjoy, watch films which make you laugh, see people who make you feel good. If you feel stressed, your body generally won't start labouring.

It's not something you can control, so try to enjoy the last few weeks and roll with it :-)

Due dates are not a science so there is no need to put any pressure on baby to come. When a baby's lungs are fully developed they release a chemical signalling to your body that it's safe for labour to begin. So your baby just simply isn't ready yet. Research "physiological birth".

Importantly, this is your body and your baby. You absolutely CAN decline an induction. It is ever more important to advocate for your rights with the sorry state of maternity services in this county.

Stay calm, trust your body, trust your baby.

Thanks for your advise, I’m really trying to wait it out.

Thank you but im at risk due to my gestational Diabetes hence can’t be allowed to go over 40+6. I don’t see a point in declining that if I’m at risk and it’s not healthy for my baby. All I want is for my baby and me to be healthy and safe.

OP don't feel disheartened. I'd been on mat leave for 2 weeks with no hint of labour coming on. I'd been doing everything to bring it on - walking, sex, curry, every cliché you can think of.

I'd basically given up and had a day with a friend for a home-made afternoon tea and bath on the evening. Woke up at 5am with contractions 😂

No idea what brought it on but like other people have said it may be that I just "relaxed" and it was a hormone thing?

That is different then. In which case I agree with the pp - do lots of feel good things, whatever you fancy x

If it's any consolation, I was induced at 37 weeks with my first and didn't need a C-section, it took three days for the induction to start working so she obviously didn't quite want to come out yet, but once I was on the drip she was out within two hours. I hope it goes well for you x

My 'sign of labour' was contractions starting, on the day I have birth. Nothing before that. (I was 41+3 at the time). As pp have said, try to relax (I know it's not easy!) and not get too worked out about what will or will not happen. Whatever way your birth ends up happening, you are strong and will deal with it and you will end it with your baby in your arms.

All mine came at 42 weeks, I hated the waiting😃

Wow, this gives me a relief. Basically it’s not like one have to have labour signs beforehand. It can all just start at once?
sorry if my question sounds silly, I am at ftm and really don’t know what to expect or look out for .

you got induced and labour didn’t start till 3 days after?

Thanks so much. I will try to stay as relaxed as possible. I hope it work out well for me

I’ve had 5 children, 4 of which were spontaneous vaginal deliveries. With all of them the only labour sign I had was my waters breaking! The last one I was induced early with and whilst it took a little longer, it was a positive experience and no more painful than my non induced labours - actually probably less painful than 2 of them which were very quick.
The advice here is good, try to relax and enjoy the last bit of your pregnancy before baby comes! Good luck!

Thank you @amispeakingintongues. I’m really trying to not be worried about it and just wait it out but owning to I won’t be allowed to go over a specific time is making me worried.

I was due to be induced recently but they were able to break my waters for me before putting me on the hormone drip to really get things going. I really wanted it to happen naturally too but sadly labour just wasn't happening on its own and my blood pressure was too high to continue on so baby needed to come out. Once the contractions kicked in, things progressed and baby was here that day with no need for a c-section. Although it didn't happen naturally as I would have liked, it all turned out OK in the end :) I hope everything goes well for you x

This makes me hopeful and positive. I never knew there are intervention stories that didn’t result in c-section. I am hoping for good news to come my way soon.

Also, I heard one starts getting tired towards labour but I’ve been energetic this trimester more than any other, 😒 makes me think labour isn’t starting anytime soon.

Ive tried kerb walking but my pubic bone gets in pain for 2-3 days afterwards hence I’m not able to kerb walk.

This is common.

It might help to look up some positive induction stories (there is also a FB group) so you're not so worried about that. You still have choices in inductions. I've had 2 and in the second was still able to use the mlu and it was lovely. They are definitely slower though, both of mine were relatively quick and took 36 hours.

Nipple stimulation is about the only thing scientifically shown to help induce labour. It needs to be quite a lot like 20 minutes a day (with a breast pump)

I went to my midwife at 39+5 and baby's head was engaged but I was 0% effaced.

Labour started at 40 exactly with contractions. Waters broke 40+1 and baby was born 40+2.

Things can turn on a dime! Have some dates, express some colostrum and maybe have sex. And rest!

Totally natural way to feel. But as others have mentioned, you won’t necessarily get signs of labour until the day. My first sign of labour was a faint bloody show at 8am followed my waters breaking in the middle of a high street 😅 and my baby was born 23 hours later. My second was lots of really strong braxton hick contractions for literally weeks, i was so confused! Then one morning i woke up with mild period pain cramps and she was born 8 hrs later. Babies love to keep us all guessing!

Guys
😳 I’m actually leaking fluid. Any idea when labour starts after leaking fluid?
I’ve rang triage and they said will ring me tonight or tomorrow to get me in for assessment.

somebody tell me when labour will start please 💃💃

@amispeakingintongues @AmyW9 @Babygirlmamahere @Borgonzola @Lunalovegod @MrsS11 @Namechangedforthis60 @NeedSomeComfy @SareBear87 @SwayingInTime @TheLastLady @user2848502016

Leaking, as in continuously?

I'd call triage and speak to them, definitely. I knew when my waters had gone as I felt a bubbling sensation and then I continuously leaked throughout that day. But you should speak to a midwife about any fluid loss.

Sounds like your waters have gone 😊 unless it is pee. They'll do a test to check and if labour doesn't start by itself within a certain time frame (48h I think) they will probably want to move things along. Very good chance you'll be going into labour yourself though 😊