To get induced at 41w +4 or wait longer?

[Pinkleafs]

Hey all,

Has any opted not to be induced and waited it out after 41 weeks +4? If so what was your experience and did you eventually go into labour naturally?

I'm classed as low risk, baby has normal growth and has no issues. It's my first pregnancy. I regrettably had a very painful sweep done a couple of days ago and found out I was 1cm dilated, posterior cervix, 3cm cervix length and still very firm. Baby is very engaged, pressing on cervix but this isn't doing much to cause dilation.

My instinct tells me my body just isn't ready yet and needs time. I really don't want an induction and my hope is for as much of a natural birth as possible.

Thanks for all the replies 🙏🏼❤️! Really helpful to hear people's experiences and input. It really is such a hard decision, I keep changing my mind back and forth. The inductions scheduled tomorrow when I'll be 41w +4.

@Springadorable not sure if daily monitoring would be an option. I've sadly been seeing a different midwife every week recently as mine has been on sick leave for the past 2 months. If I did wait it would just be until the 42 weeks mark which would be Thursday. I wouldn't want to go over that.

@lauraloulou1 I'll be 31 years old next month.

@Haveiwon I'll ask about this as I'm unsure. I've mainly heard positive things about the trust but would be helpful to know statistics.

@Limeandbasil90 I'm 41w +3 today, inductions currently booked for tomorrow.

@koalabearboombox wishing you all the best with your induction, hope it's going smoothly for you and baba 🥰!

I would just go for a c section now personally. Every single induction I know of has ended in so many interventions (11 friends have had inductions) and most of them eventually a c section anyway. I just don't want to risk the cascade of interventions that seem to come from having an induction.

Personally I would get induced purely because there’s a bigger chance of baby pooping after 40 weeks. I heard way too many stories my mum included she was 41+2 went into labor naturally and when her water broke at the hospital there was meconium in the water. Baby thankfully wasn’t harmed by it.

Waiting isn’t a risk I would take.

Hope the induction goes well and more importantly you & baby are both well.

i had an induction which failed at 42wks after3d of waiting on the ward & getting exhausted I got a C-Sec 42+3d. My DD1 has just turned 18. The second DD I asked for a planned C-sec at 39wks which was much more positive experience. If the induction doesn’t work make sure they are monitoring you closely & ask for a c-sec even if it wasn’t your original plan. I had to grieve giving up my planned yoga calm birth but had a healthy DD as a result.

Op I would probably get induced.

I got induced at 41 weeks and there was Meconium in my waters.

My induction was actually a really positve experience and I had a vaginal birth and was holding baby 9 hours after the pessary was put in.

I refused an induction as I knew their dates were wrong. I said I’d have a c section if they thought baby needed to arrive but I wasn’t going to have a failed induction and then an emergency c section.

DS arrived at 40+11 (by their dates) and 40+5 by mine.

I'd opt to be induced. Baby's safety is more important than wanting a natural birth.

Just to say I had two inductions - both went smoothly and reasonably quickly. Good luck whatever you decide.

I was induced at 40+6 due to reduced movements. I delivered naturally without pain relief 12 hours later at 41 weeks. It was an amazing birth and I had such a positive induction. I wouldn’t have been happy to go more than another few days.

Id be getting that baby out asap

so induction, not to scare you OP but over 42 weeks is not safe for the baby at all. I would not want to risk it, just get baby out.

one of mine was 41 weeks, plenty over!

I gave birth at 42+5 after they scared me into induction. They then didn’t actually have any delivery rooms so I nearly gave birth in the corridor… turns out everything was perfect. Placenta was totally healthy. The induction was actually more dangerous due to lack of staff, wish I’d waited. Think I’d have gone naturally within a day or so

I’d check out 10 month mamas group on Facebook. Lots of useful info.

Going against the grain, like another they refused to accept my dates. I went to 43 weeks with both and daily monitoring. 42 weeks bang on by my dates. Both boys same situation, both easy fast vaginal births.
I only held out because I knew my dates were correct and when I conceived.
they told me I’d struggle with my first as he was so big on the scan (8lb 10 at birth) and told me my second was going to be small (9lb 10 at birth!)

Update - I started having some twinges yesterday through the day but thought nothing of it. Just thought it was gas. Around 10.30pm last night I started having irregular contractions and I've since had them all night. Nothing really consistent yet, the only thing is they haven't stopped, I've not slept all night as they've been quite sore. They can be 8 mins apart lasting 60 seconds, then can be 12 mins apart for 60 seconds, before going back to 5 mins apart for 60 seconds.

I would recommend you walk walk walk, keep active and they'll ramp up

Honestly in your shoes with no concerns about baby I’d wait, hope all goes okay! I’ve had 2 failed inductions, if I could go back in time I would not have the first one.

Just seen your update. That’s brilliant, can you get on a birthing ball or walk?

Good luck @Pinkleafs today. Glad baby seems to be making their own decision.

I was induced due to preeclampsia at 39 weeks so granted it was earlier than you, but just wanted to say I had a positive experience being induced overall. Tried the balloon and the gel but ended in emergency C section due to baby having the cord wrapped around his neck a few times, but he was perfectly fine and is currently asleep on my chest as I write this. From start to finish, I had him in my arms in 6 hours. I had read loads of negative things about induction but honestly, aside from the rollercoaster of c section, it was completely fine and we’re both doing really well and I was relieved to have been induced as anything could have happened if I had waited longer. Things can turn really quickly. Good luck OP xxx