40+4 - baby still really high :( induction?

[PoppyPeaches]

hi!
I wondered if anyone had any positive experiences to share of a similar situation to give me some reassurance.

I’m 40+4 with my first baby, and whilst babies head is quite low as I can feel it pressing on my bladder constantly, the rest of baby is clearly very high as I am in significant discomfort up high, have an obvious “shelf” still, and am getting a lot of feet sticking out up high when baby is wriggling.
I had an internal exam last week at 39+5 which was a failed sweep as whilst the midwife said my cervix was soft and she could feel babies head, my cervix was too high to feel if open or perform the sweep.
I have another appt tomorrow for another go but also have an induction booked for Friday - as it is my hospitals policy to not allow “geriatric mothers” to go past 41 weeks without induction of c section (I’m 38).

I’m really worried about having to be induced as I was really wanting to have a Waterbirth in the midwife unit rather than be on labour ward, and I’m struggling to see how baby can go from being this high up to fully engaged and in labour in a few days before Fridays deadline. The midwife has said that I could potentially have the first stages of induction (ie pessary or waters broken) in the midwife centre but if that doesn’t work I’d have to go to labour ward to go on the hormone drip.

therefore, my questions are :
has anyone gone from feeling like baby is sitting really high and uncomfortable to engaged and in labour really quickly and given birth naturally?
and for those that have started the induction process - were you able to labour after just the pessary and/or having waters broken or did you also need the hormone drip? As all the people I’ve spoke to in real life have all needed the drip.

thanks so so much if you’ve got this far and for any responses!
from one very uncomfortable and now worried mum to be!
xx

I would not proceed with an induction in your case, certainly not on the drip. It seems like a recipe for an emergency c section. If you do feel like you want an induction, ask for your bishop's score. It essentially sums up the likelihood of a successful induction - too low and it is pointless as virtually guaranteed to fail.

Remember the hospital's policy will be to push for induction. This can often be to your detriment.

I would push for an elective c section, even if it's not the water birth you wanted it's miles away from a cascade of interventions ending in forceps/emergency c section etc. Do lots of googling and think carefully! Hope this helps

I was induced at 38 weeks as FTM. Baby felt like they were sitting high up (but I think in reality they were long). I had an attempted sweep before my induction which failed.

I had the pessary. I had the pessary reinserted after about 12 hours as it had slipped out slightly and they said my cervix was more favourable but still facing back and would therefore be a while. I only needed the pessary and labour progressed reasonably quickly after the pessary was reinserted. I didn’t end up with further interventions and delivered with gas and air.

I was prepared to do the parts of induction before the drip but when it got to needing a drip I was going to ask for a c-section. There are positive induction stories if you google them. I think it’s just knowing at what point in the process you don’t want to go past and when you’d switch to a c-section. I would try the pessary at the maternity unit, go for a walk. If it doesn’t progress you can opt for a c-section before the drip.

I had the gel and then the drip. It was fine but I’m in my 20s so not sure if there’s risks for women in their late 30s.

It may be their policy, but you can still refuse induction or c-section and wait another few days with more monitoring.

It can start very quickly though. I had no signs of labour at 40+6, baby high up, cervix high and closed. My waters broke the next morning and baby was born by 3pm.

To offer a different perspective, I had an induction that wasn’t progressing after 3 days of contractions so I requested a c section and was in theatre 45 minutes later. All very calm and although an “emergency” technically it was no different from an elective c section in practice. I was so ready to fight for my rights after all the horror stories on MN but the reality was a hospital team who were more than happy to do whatever I wanted. This was at St Thomas in London which is an excellent hospital so it depends where you’re going but failed inductions don’t always have to have horrible endings! As long as you’re confident you can advocate for yourself and be clear about your red lines with the team in the beginning, eg - if I am not fully dilated after X amount of time I will proceed to c section.

Echoing what has previously been said - it may be their policy but you do not have to consent. I’d recommend having a look at Dr Sara Wickham and her research.

It is a guideline and the induction is offered but you can refuse. You could ask for regular monitoring and pick yourself which date you’d feel more comfortable being induced if baby hasn’t yet arrived. You have choice and are a part of your care.

I’ve had 3 inductions (all for my waters breaking so a different scenario) 2x normal births and 1xemcs

I had the drip (2nd child, 4 weeks early as baby was going to ne too big if went full term - im tiny!)
First baby was spontaneous natural birth at 40+2 with no pain relief....I delivered quick...3cm at 7pm baby in my arms at 10.51pm!
I was 38, and have a heart condition, there was no issue with me having an induction/drip.
Just be prepared as from being put on the drip with no contractions at all, in 7minutes I was in agony and baby was with me at 11.22am (put on drip 11am)

OP try not to get fixated om the birthday you wanted, most important thing is you and baby are well.
I wish people had been honest with me about recovery from 1st labour geeeez it was way worse than giving birth....being stitched up and that first wee/poo 😂 all the best OP enjoy that feeling of a new baby....best in the world 🥰

FTM and I had a pessary at 41 weeks + 5 days. From pessary being inserted and baby arriving took just under 24 hours. I was taken to the midwife led ward. Unfortunately I didn’t get a water birth as it happened all too quickly but I had a natural birth and a positive induction which I know is uncommon. I don’t know why my labour was so quick after the pessary was removed at 2cm (around 5 hours) but maybe it had something to do with the copious amount of dates and raspberry leaf tea I had consumed or just that I was quite far along. Good luck I hope all goes well.

I could have written your post 6 months ago!

Also a FTM and I wanted a water birth. 2 failed sweeps, a closed/high cervix. By 40+10 I went in for a book Induction. I was told the hormone drip is needed in almost all cases of first time mums who are induced. But I was scared of needing a section or forceps etc.

I had 3 pessaries over 24hrs and then moved to labour ward to have waters broken.

I really did not want the drip however didn't really have much option at this point. My labour started quickly and within 6 hours my baby was born with no intervention. I did have an epidural but it failed so went on to feel it all.

I had a really positive birth experience despite not getting a water birth or natural start to labour. So positive inductions stories can happen.

Good luck whatever you decide!

Some hope for you, with my first I saw my midwife at my 39 wk checkup a she refused to even try a sweep because of how high the head was, she said “I’ll see you in a week and we’ll make a plan for induction” but I went in to labour naturally at 40+5 which was the day before my next midwife appointment!
I wouldn’t agree to an induction in your shoes, you don’t have to agree to anything never mind what their policy is. I would at least say you want to wait until Monday

Join ten month mamas UK on FB.

lots of information/advice on there.

Thanks for all the replies everyone - and sorry for my slow reply my MN account kept freezing!
I really appreciate everyone’s experiences and advice - I had another sweep yesterday which was more successful than last week in that they managed it, and my cervix was low and soft and I was 1cm dilated which I know isn’t much but is better than last week! Plan is to go into hospital tomorrow and discuss the options with the doctor and then go from there, but secretly hoping something might kickstart tonight, although not holding my breath! 🤣 I do at least feel that if I go for induction tomorrow that my body is starting to get ready anyway so it makes me feel a little happier about going ahead - but will see what tomorrow brings!

with my first I had feet in my ribs until I was ready to push - rather than dropping she just kinda uncurled in labour.
I was induced with my second. I had a sweep at 36+6 which mostly put me into labour but not quite. I didn't have the energy for a long labour due to my health so I had the pessetry the next day rather than wait for labour. I had that in for 4h and baby arrived 14h later.

Contractions with my first were intense 3 in 10 minutes 30 second long from the off set. Contractions started with my second at 33 weeks but were mostly sporadic. After the sweep they went being more regular, the pessetry made them semi continuous if I was stood up (why they removed it after 4h) but 1-2 every 10 minutes if on the bed and built up gradually. First labour was very quick (2h from 2 to 10cm) have birth in the pool with a couple of paracetamol and gas and air. Induced labour was slower in some aspects but was very quick once they broke my waters going from 5cm to baby arriving in 1h15 minutes. Pain relief was same a couple of paracetamol and some gas and air.

I had some pain relief immediately after birth in both cases but after that needed nothing else. Up and mobile afterwards

My first was very high up. Labour started and she stayed up high. After two hours she dropped really noticeably and was born after two pushes. I was 40.0 weeks. Second had his head engaged for two weeks and it was difficult to walk. Also born in two hours at 39.2. His head was a really odd shape for a while. All births are so different. Good luck OP.

Recommendations for tonight…

Go for a walk
Nice warm bath
Have sex

Good luck!