They will come when they are ready - I wish our medical service wasnt so fixated on EDD!
Ds was 16 days late, had 2 sweeps and he was finally induced after having to wait a couple of days for a bed as hospital was so busy!
However, i was always 2 weeks small for dates, have long period cycle 35+ days, and DS was a boy, and first born baby: all factors which can effect the gestation period. In most other european countries , you are not even considered overdue till you have passed 42 weeks!
From when they started induction to when DS was placed in my arms was under 12 hours, I think that is quite short for first time baby, with induction and epidural - nowhere near as awful as the stories you here!
I am due tomorrow and although very uncomfortable and have been ready for weeks, i am happy to let nature take its course.
- although I am booked in for a sweep next week. A sweep is uncomfortable but if baby is nearly ready then it will give them a gentle nudge and you may avoid having the gell, which I think is supposed to be the worst part of an induction.
Also looking back for a 1st time mum an induction did make labour slightly ?? want to say easier but thats not the word - reassuring maybe, you are given a time & date to go to hospital, no wondering shall i go in yet? and you are monitered constantly so you always have a midwife in the room with you.
fingers crossed for us both!