thoughts on being over due

[merristems]

Hi im 40.4wks today, I am planning to birth naturally at home in water. So far baby is still happy so am I. I have already declined one sweep, they offered me another one for this tuesday. Im not sure what to do! Obviously they have baby's best interests in mind and so do I hence not wanting intervention! Has anyone in uk gone beyond 41wk with out sweep and had home delivery? Also has anyone felt they had no choice but to accept induction after 41wks?

If I should get to 42wks I will obviously accept a hospital delivery but I really want water birth due to spd! Anyone got this far and still had water birth??

Thanks ladies xxxx

 

[MrsTigs]

Hi there,

No advice to share I'm afraid, but just thought I'd post in solidarity - I'm 40+5 today and also hoping for a home water birth. Like you, I'd really like to avoid intervention if at all possible.

I saw my midwife on Friday and she seemed happy with baby, my BP etc etc. She did offer me a sweep, but I felt it was too soon at only 3 days overdue. I've got a provisional appointment booked for next Friday (40+10) unless anything happens/I change my mind before then. Having a sweep next Friday would then give me the weekend for it to kick in and, hopefully, still be able to birth at home (up to 40+14).

So they seem quite happy to let me go over 41 weeks without being too concerned with sweeps or other forms of induction, assuming baby still moving well etc and no other problems. My midwife said we could go to 40+12 before they would think about doing anything.

So I think I'm just going to wait it out a bit longer.... Getting a bit impatient to meet little one (esp with family and friends asking every 5 minutes!) but trying to stay relaxed and remind myself that due dates are just estimates anyway!

Here's hoping we both have positive BAs to post soon!

Tigs xx

 

[EYD]

No advise here..sorry, just wanted to wish both of you ladies good luck and I hope you get the birth experiences you've wanted!

 

[merristems]

Thanks and hi mrs tigs glad youre standing strong in this too, its so hard for me because I have two friends from my antinatal class all due within day of me and they are having sweeps left right and centre! Both getting induced on sat! I just know baby will arrive when good and ready but it still worries me that babe may stay put too long if there is such a thing! Im deffinately getting acupuncture this tuesday, turning down sweep until weekend like you. Heres hoping our lo arrive in style at home in our own spaces and being strong in this!

 

[MrsTigs]

Hi there

I've got an antenatal buddy due the same time as me too - last time I spoke to her she was also just waiting til this week to make any decisions. Havent heard from her over the weekend though so maybe things starting moving along?

It's hard not to compare yourself to others who are due the same time, but guess we have to remember that our babies are all unique! So, like you say, just trying to remain strong and to relax as much as I can.

Must admit to a small meltdown this morning...! Had a lovely weekend with hubby, but I think the start of ANOTHER week with no baby just got me a bit emotional Just felt like baby will never arrive naturally and got caught up in the 'what ifs' of post-maturity, induction, augmentation etc etc. Silly really, but I think it's partly because I actually feel really well and almost 'not pregnant' - like being in second tri again!

Anyway feeling a bit better now - have decided to make some more freezer meals and bake a cake! Hubby also decided to work from home today, bless him, so at least I'm not rattling around on my own.

Hope your acupuncture goes well and starts things moving. Here's to a good week and holding our healthy, happy babies very soon!

xx

 

[merristems]

Oh sorry to hear you got down I was like that yesterday too and then I just told myself what will be will be I cant fight it if my body and baby want to carry on until September then so be it!! At least baby will be oldest in year group not youngest! But seriously, I hope this is our week. I caught a cold this weekend! First time ive been ill all pregnancy so im really not feeling inclined to push!

 

[Eleanor ace]

I haven't been in your position but wanted to offer my experiences in case they help!
My son was born at 42 weeks, I had sweeps with him which didn't work and was induced. I was induced via pessary so I could have had a water birth but unfortunately DS needed monitoring so I had to birth on the bed. But if it wasn't for that I'd have been allowed a water birth, at 42 weeks .

My DD was born at 41 weeks, I had a sweep a couple of days before she was born which kick started me losing my plug, having a show and getting stronger contractions. I hated having sweeps with my son, they really hurt me, but with DD I knew I wanted them as I wanted to avoid induction. My induction with DS was great, but still spontaneous labour was of course preferable. With my DD I couldn't have a home birth as I had a high risk pregnancy but I got a hospital water birth and it was the bees knees . I'd have been allowed a water birth up to and including 42 weeks.

I did feel as though I had no choice but to accept induction with DS once I got close to 42 weeks but that was due to family history of loss post term, not pressure from my midwife or consultant. I know in my area they will "allow" you to go past the standard induction date of 40+12 as long as you to in for NST's and monitoring.

 

[merristems]

Thanks elanore, it good to hear you still got your water birth even afterv42wks that great to know. I willmbe badgering my midwife tuesday to see what they will 'allow' ♥

 

[MrsTigs]

Thanks Merrisrems. And yep, not really much we can do if baby isn't quite cooked and ready - hubby says it's because I've made it too nice and cosy in there, which is sweet

Sorry to hear you've got a cold Hope it clears up soon and that this week is indeed our week!

xx

 

[merristems]

Hiya ladies my little girl arrived 8days past due 22nd august, 7lb 5oz after a drug free natural delivery. she is so beautiful we called her Mahayla, Alice after her great grand aunts xxx please feel free to read our birth story on my journal link xx

 

[Eleanor ace]

Congratulations!