Spontaneous labour First pregnancy, why is it not happening second time round?

[Hellohola98765]

Hello,

i’m just wondering if anyone has any experience of the same thing? I’m 41 weeks pregnant today feeling sad, deflated and frustrated that my body doesn’t seem to be doing what it should. My first pregnancy (2.5 years ago) I went into spontaneous labour with my waters breaking at 39w 5d, it’s looking more and more likely that I will have to be induced this time which I am quite anxious about. Can’t stop crying every day that passes and nothing has happened again, has anyone else had experience of spontaneous labour first time round but there body not going into labour the second time and having to be induced?

My mum had me and my brother on our due dates and then my little sister was 12 days late. Its normal and it happens. If you are induced there's no reason to think that your body won't quickly get into the swing of it as you have given birth before. I went naturally with my first at 39+4 but had to be induced with my second at 38+2 due to tailing growth. Was expecting it to be a total drag as she wasn't coming naturally by herself at that point, but I was contracting within 45 mins of the pessary going in. They then took that out, broke my waters and I was holding her 40 mins later. Job done!

My first was born 39+4 spontaneously
My second I was quite happy for her to be late as she was supposed to be our last, she was born spontaneously about 9 days after her due date. Midwifes ended up calling me up to ask why I missed a sweep appointment the day she was born 😅
I wouldn't stress, they come on their time not ours, but I'd definitely start planning what to do if you get close to 42 weeks good luck!

I was overdue with both my babies but went into labour at 40+3 with my first and 41+2 with my second. I was very stressed about not going into labour and at 41weeks my induction was booked for 41+5. At that point I just gave up stressing and resigned myself to being induced. She came at 41+2 in 2.5 hours from first contraction and was nearly born in the car! There is still time yet for spontaneous labour to happen, and if it doesn't then you are more likely to go into labour with the gel/pessary or by having your waters broken as your body has done it before and will remember.

Best of luck with it all, and try and frame it in your mind as an extra day with just you, your partner and first child. Not saying that to be patronising but it helped me to frame it in my mind as an extra day to have quality time with my oldest.

First pregnancy was exactly the same timing as you, second I was 11 days late, labour started the night before I was due in to be induced.

i know it’s difficult but try and relax (mentally), keep moving etc.
have you been offered a sweep?

DS1 born bang on time. DS2 was 42 - i was due to be induced the next day and he came that night. There's still time. Don't worry about the births not being the same.

Get busy. Clean the house from top to bottom and dance. Being upright will really help. If you need an induction get it booked, you will be offered an epidural but a lot of the time you will deliver before the appointment, as per PP.

I think if you are stressed about it then it can delay it, your body doesn’t think it’s safe to go into labour. I went over both times but once they booked the induction and I relaxed as I knew baby would be there on date x I went into labour. Either way, your new addition will be in your arms soon and hope it goes smoothly for you

Keep the faith!!

My first (with no signs AT ALL) I went into spontaneous labour 39+6.

My second, I was completely losing the will, but finally went into spontaneous labour 40+10. Luckily I had a VERY supportive home birth midwife team who completely supported me with my decision to wait to 42 weeks before induction. I did SO much floor scrubbing on all fours, waddles in the forest etc!

My third, spontaneous labour at 37+3!! All so completely different!

Good luck and positive vibes, it WILL happen, and you will have a gorgeous baby in your arms very very soon!

My mum had my elder sister around due date unremarkable labour.
I was born nearly 3 weeks early, super quickly on the ward as they were deciding whether to do an emergency c section
Younger sister born nearly 2 weeks late.