Induction

[OJ-2018]

Morning all

I’m 40 weeks+6 days over due. My preference was to have a natural water birth as I have had bad back problems. Induction has been suggested this week to which I have been against after doing a hypnobirthing course. This suggestion has made me quite anxious as I’m not a full week over due yet. What are people’s thoughts and recommendations? I know some places offer induction for ivf pregnancies after 39 weeks. I had an examination yesterday and my cervix is completely closed and firm, meaning she couldn’t even do a sweep. Is this a sign that spontaneous labour isn’t on the cards and I will end up being induced anyway?

TIA

[MrsE29]

Morning,

I was 10 days over before I was brought in for induction and like yourself wanted to try natural water birth. Think I had 3 attempted sweeps but cervix was always closed. In my experience my baby wasn't going to come herself. I ended up with a c section as induction didn't bring on labour enough but I have to say everything was pretty calm and relaxed and main thing was she got here safely. Everyones experiences will be different just try to keep the end in sight when you will meet your little one. Wishing you all the best xx

[OJ-2018 in reply to MrsE29]

Thank you. I think an induction is inevitable, just unsure of when to have it. Maybe the scan today will make more decisions for me x

[Bridget_rose]

Hello,

I was looking at all the options with regard to induction prior to the birth of my baby. My consultant was keen for induction at 40 weeks if I hadn’t gone into labour by then (due to being an IVF baby). After researching and discussing pros and cons we decided we would go as far as 41 weeks as long as everything was ok with placenta, baby etc. Beyond 41 there is a very small increase in risk and this increases again after 42 weeks. In our area I believe all mums are offered induction at 41, even if low risk.

I was like you in that I wanted a water birth and knew that I wouldn’t be able to if I was induced on the drip etc. As it happened he came early and I didn’t care two hoots about the water birth when I was in established labour! Just wanted him out ASAP and safely.

Good luck with everything and hope things get going for you. I was on a constant cycle of raspberry leaf tea, clary sage baths/bump massage and bouncing on my ball!

xxx

[recidwen]

Sooooo many babies aren't ready to come at 40 weeks and it is natural and normal. Many studies show that induction is the beginning of intervention. Read widely and make the decision you need to. You will of of course go into labor eventually. Interesting read here theguardian.com/commentisfr...

And important image here: instagram.com/p/B7j_lH1ABDZ/

xxxx

[OJ-2018 in reply to recidwen]

Thank you, interesting read x

[Kiedy84]

Hi I also did Hypnobirthing and was dreaming of water birth but when we hit 40+2 and the day before I thought we had reduced movements I was like right I want him out asap!

I had one sweep where she couldn't really do it but 3 days later I had another one and was 2 cm dilated and when we checked in for induction I was already 3cm (that was on my 40+2) and they were able to brake my waters without any hormones.

We ended up with oxytocin drip and forceps but everything was calm and I used all Hypnobirthing techniques throughout all stages including theatre.

Looking back I am glad that we opted in for induction, I was stressing so much when we hit 40 weeks and for me I just wanted him to be monitored and out safely.

My sister (not IVF) waited till 41+1 then the induction didn't work after 2 days of trying and ended up in c section. You just never know how how body will respond. That's the mystery of it all.

Good luck hun x

[Lynnr54]

Things can happen very quickly. I went for 3 attempted sweeps, none of which happened because baby wasn’t fully engaged (I was never told about status of cervix - I assume it was fully closed). However on the evening of my 3rd failed sweep I lost my plug and about 33 hrs later my waters went. Unfortunately they had meconium in them so I ended up being induced anyway because my contractions hadn’t started but like you I had been doing everything I could to get baby here naturally so I could have a water birth. If you are looking for natural ways to help baby come then I don’t know if any of these specifically helped but lots of sex (the semen softens the cervix and my plug came away just at the end of a session (sorry tmi!)). I also had acupuncture the night before my waters went (although it was after my plug went so chances are they would have gone anyway). I hope baby comes soon and you get your water birth x

[Corchi]

My doctor personally wants to induce at 39-39 weeks. His theory is it is a suitable time not too early to safely get baby out and avoid any still birth scares. Every doctor has their own preference this is just one opinion..