Induction cancelled due to lack of beds at 42 weeks!

[Lindsey123]

I'm sorry for the inevitable essay but I am so frustrated and stressed.

I am 42 weeks pregnant with my first baby - she won't come out! - and, though I've been against induction, I was told by my midwife that baby NEEDED to come out and so I was booked for induction this morning at 9am. I wasn't delighted about it, but I was resigned and had been totally convinced by OH and midwife's arguments for prioritising baby's safety over waiting.

I got up early to make me and OH breakfast and play with the pets, and after a long shower, got ready, put bags in the car, and was actually closing the door when the phone rang. It was the ward saying my bed had been taken by someone who'd gone in not feeling well and that I was now bumped and couldn't go in. Half an hour before my appt

I don't get why, at this overdue, when I am sore, the size of a house and already considered (by them!) high risk due to my BMI, that it's SUDDENLY ok to leave baby there. I've been told over and over baby needs to come out, but now it's not convenient for them??

She said she could offer me another sweep but stressed I'd have to go home immediately after (and the hospital is a long drive away) or she'd call me tomorrow to let me know if anything was available then - but it may even be Monday or after. I didn't feel I could argue - after all, if a poorly woman needs the bed, she needs the bed, and I obviously don't begrudge her it if my baby is safe - but I am now really worried because everyone told me baby mightn't be if I left her too long.

I called the community midwife who was lovely and explained that, if I couldn't even get in on Monday, (!) that I'd have to see the consultant for daily scans and an ultrasound daily till I COULD get in, but that just tells me that they're extra worried about baby staying there and emphasises that baby should be out! She even said that she couldn't guarantee baby's safety in there as dating wasn't an exact science, so she felt I ought to go this PM and demand monitoring.

My OH is so angry and is raising hell, which is very unlike him but not helping - I don't think he gets that it's a bit worse for me. He's just bored of waiting. I was nervous but managed to get psyched up to meet baby, but now all the aches and pains I am having seem about ten times worse and I am frustrated and miserable too

Anyone else here this has happened to? I think I'll be 43 weeks by the time I get in - and still no show, no waters, no signs - NOTHING.

 

[Louise19850]

awww hun I don't know what to say, it must be so frustrating to get prepared then have it all change

Sending loads of your way, hopefully something will open up tomorrow xxxx

 

[Beankeeper]

Oh that sucks! I'm sorry

 

[mommytobe11]

what??? you should demand to get in! correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't it unsafe to you and baby to go over 42 weeks? my doctor even told me he doesn't want me going over 41 weeks because then you run the risk of the placenta failing.

that is ridiculous they gave your bed away to someone "not feeling well" i'd be raising hell also if i were you guys.

good luck, i really hope you get in soon!

 

[Jessica Fern]

What would happen if you were to go naturally at this point? Could they find you a bed then? It must be so incredibly frustrating to think that you're going to finally meet LO and be told a mere half hour before that it isn't going to happen"/ Lots of hugs and good wishes

 

[flamingpanda]

That's ridiculous. If it were me I'd just get in the car and go. When you get there tell them you've been feeling unwell if they argue.

 

[Lindsey123]

what??? you should demand to get in! correct me if i'm wrong, but isn't it unsafe to you and baby to go over 42 weeks? my doctor even told me he doesn't want me going over 41 weeks because then you run the risk of the placenta failing.

that is ridiculous they gave your bed away to someone "not feeling well" i'd be raising hell also if i were you guys.

good luck, i really hope you get in soon!

What you say is exactly what I was told by my midwife last week to persuade me that induction was the best way forward I was also told that stillbirth risk increases twofold by the time a woman reaches 43 weeks - and while my own research into possibly letting labour naturally run its course suggests that things can be ok as long as you're monitored, I'd had to really change my mindset in order to feel ok about going in this morning. Having been ambivalent, I have spent the last two days convincing myself today was utterly necessary for baby's health.

The other thing is the midwife on the ward says my bed being taken meant they only had one left open - and I'm not allowed that one, because they have to have a certain amount available

Well, if my blood pressure wasn't high before, I bet it is now

Thanks, all, for being kind x

 

[Erised]

I can fully understand your frustration and worry, but please try not to let it worry you too much.

Believe it or not, but it's said that 14% of women actually go over 42 weeks pregnant and 4% goes over 43 weeks pregnant. Anything up to 42 weeks is simply classed term, NOT overdue. You're only classed as a postterm pregnancy after 42 weeks. True the risks increase once you go past 42 weeks compared to 40, in fact some will even go as far as to say it doubles! What does that actually mean? That the chance of a high risk complication goes up to somewhere between 4 and 7 in 1000 births depending on which research you look at. That's 0.4% or 0.7% ... you're still left with a very very good percentage of healthy babies.

The main problems you're more likely to find past 42 weeks are running low on amniotic fluid, which they're keeping an eye on with the scans and an experienced midwife can also tell by just feeling around the baby. There's also an increased chance of meconium in the water, but they will keep a close eye on your baby for any signs of distress.

In most cases where the mother goes past 42 weeks, it's a case of the due date not having been worked out completely accurately to begin with. Don't forget the error margin for dating by scan is 2 weeks either way, with them not really being able to tell more accurately than '5 days either way'.

No baby will stay in forever, and in most cases your body is perfectly capable of starting labour naturally *when* it's time *and* your baby is ready. Sure it may not be on the schedule we've been given by medical research, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

Don't worry, just try to relax. There's a 96% chance you'll go into labour naturally before 43 weeks, and even if not you're simply a very comfortable mother. Your body will take care of your little one for you, and with them keeping an eye on you daily they'd notice any signs of distress (as would you, any worry and just go in to get it checked) and help baby out.

 

[Jenbags1]

That proper sucks, so Sorry. Are there any alternative hospitals near u? U could go there and ask for monitoring and they may induce you? It's all worth a go, or u could do what the girl on midwives did and go to the hospital and wait for a bed to be available.. She was there for something like 29hours but got her induction and to meet her baby. Good luck xx

 

[Lindsey123]

What would happen if you were to go naturally at this point? Could they find you a bed then? It must be so incredibly frustrating to think that you're going to finally meet LO and be told a mere half hour before that it isn't going to happen"/ Lots of hugs and good wishes

Yes, if I went naturally, I'd be sent to labour and delivery suite, whereas I'd be going to the maternity ward for induction so they'd find me a space. I hope, haha - maybe I'll be a car park birth!

Thanks for the hugs

 

[Lindsey123]

I can fully understand your frustration and worry, but please try not to let it worry you too much.

Believe it or not, but it's said that 14% of women actually go over 42 weeks pregnant and 4% goes over 43 weeks pregnant. Anything up to 42 weeks is simply classed term, NOT overdue. You're only classed as a postterm pregnancy after 42 weeks. True the risks increase once you go past 42 weeks compared to 40, in fact some will even go as far as to say it doubles! What does that actually mean? That the chance of a high risk complication goes up to somewhere between 4 and 7 in 1000 births depending on which research you look at. That's 0.4% or 0.7% ... you're still left with a very very good percentage of healthy babies.

The main problems you're more likely to find past 42 weeks are running low on amniotic fluid, which they're keeping an eye on with the scans and an experienced midwife can also tell by just feeling around the baby. There's also an increased chance of meconium in the water, but they will keep a close eye on your baby for any signs of distress.

In most cases where the mother goes past 42 weeks, it's a case of the due date not having been worked out completely accurately to begin with. Don't forget the error margin for dating by scan is 2 weeks either way, with them not really being able to tell more accurately than '5 days either way'.

No baby will stay in forever, and in most cases your body is perfectly capable of starting labour naturally *when* it's time *and* your baby is ready. Sure it may not be on the schedule we've been given by medical research, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

Don't worry, just try to relax. There's a 96% chance you'll go into labour naturally before 43 weeks, and even if not you're simply a very comfortable mother. Your body will take care of your little one for you, and with them keeping an eye on you daily they'd notice any signs of distress (as would you, any worry and just go in to get it checked) and help baby out.

I wish I'd spoken to you when midwife called Thank you so much I feel a lot better now xxxx

 

[Jessica Fern]

They have to have a certain amount available?? What, for those who need it? I think they should give your induction as planned and have given the person feeling poorly one of the extra beds reserved for unplanned stays...I mean, what else are they for?
I'm sorry you are going through this, but it isn't like you are just nearing your due date. You're already two weeks overdue! They don't let women in my practice go over 41 weeks let alone get anywhere near 43...

 

[Lindsey123]

That proper sucks, so Sorry. Are there any alternative hospitals near u? U could go there and ask for monitoring and they may induce you? It's all worth a go, or u could do what the girl on midwives did and go to the hospital and wait for a bed to be available.. She was there for something like 29hours but got her induction and to meet her baby. Good luck xx

Ironically, the labour unit at my local hospital is being closed and the hospital will be closed altogether soon. The local press is going insane as the next nearest hospital can't cope with the demand of an extra 200,000 people ....as today proves perfectly! My OH's grandfather is one of the main campaigners to keep the hospital open, so I guess he can use this as some more ammo

They're going to call me this PM and let me know when I can be monitored and maybe have a sweep.

 

[Lindsey123]

They have to have a certain amount available?? What, for those who need it? I think they should give your induction as planned and have given the person feeling poorly one of the extra beds reserved for unplanned stays...I mean, what else are they for?
I'm sorry you are going through this, but it isn't like you are just nearing your due date. You're already two weeks overdue! They don't let women in my practice go over 41 weeks let alone get anywhere near 43...

I'm probably just being a drama queen when I say they'll let me go to 43. I'm 42 and (I hope!) it's unlikely they'd let me go as long as another week. My OH says it's unfair that the first on the list gets cancelled and the others booked today get to go as planned - I don't get that either.

Totally agree with you about the extra bed thing!

 

[Erised]

They have to have a certain amount available?? What, for those who need it? I think they should give your induction as planned and have given the person feeling poorly one of the extra beds reserved for unplanned stays...I mean, what else are they for?
I'm sorry you are going through this, but it isn't like you are just nearing your due date. You're already two weeks overdue! They don't let women in my practice go over 41 weeks let alone get anywhere near 43...

By medical terms though, she's not 2 weeks overdue. Anything between 38 weeks to 42 weeks is term.

As for the spare bed that's kept, it's for emergencies. Any sign of fetal distress that needs monitoring takes priority over a baby that's perfectly happy, healthy and comfortable no matter how far along the mother is. It makes sense to me, I'd rather have a lady who has a poorly baby be looked after and monitored than a lady who has a healthy baby be stuck on a bed waiting it out. Once labour starts naturally she'll go onto the delivery ward, where I would expect her to find a bed.

Not letting ladies go over 41 weeks is mostly to decrease any chances of the hospital getting sued and to try and reduce the amount of surgical interference. It's cheaper for them to get a baby out at 41 weeks with induction and often things like epis and suction, than it would be to schedule them in for a c-section as the baby has gotten 'too large'.

In a lot of places it's completely normal to not even discuss any type of help until 41 weeks. I gave birth in Holland with my first, and in Holland you don't even get offered a sweep to help you along until 41 weeks as it's completely normal and natural for your body to go up to 42 weeks =)

 

[seany3]

Aw sweetheart I'm so sorry, i would be really disappointed, is there no hospital alternative?? Hopefully the upheaval will start u I'n the next day or so remember your body is designed to do this, when your baby is ready so I'm Sure placenta is grand. Can u ring later to see if there is any beds maybe? Xx

 

[Lindsey123]

Aw sweetheart I'm so sorry, i would be really disappointed, is there no hospital alternative?? Hopefully the upheaval will start u I'n the next day or so remember your body is designed to do this, when your baby is ready so I'm Sure placenta is grand. Can u ring later to see if there is any beds maybe? Xx

I'll ring this afternoon to see when they can next get me in, yes - and if this does mean I start off naturally today, I will be happy

Thanks, ladies, for all being so kind and helpful and informative. I feel a whole load better now and have made myself a yummy big egg sandwich on wholemeal bread with a banana - the breakfast I was too nervous to eat earlier! This is a fab site for support!

 

[seany3]

Everything I'd going to be absolutely fine just keep telling yourself that because its the truth hopefully someone booked for a later induction goes naturally and you get their slot. Or do they do them on Sunday's? Enjoy your butty sounds yum! x

 

[Missy86]

Awww I hope labour starts for you soon Hun x

 

[Themonkey]

Good luck, hopefully baby comes soon! I can only imagine how impatient you.