42 week pregnancy - advice!

Crispy_Ambulance

sweeps are not comfortable and the thing with them is that unless the cervix is ripe and ready, there just isn't any point. A sweep should be offered before induction is considered.

Sometimes labour might be late in starting because the baby is not in the right position to be born. And an induction in this case is likely to result in a labour that doesn't progress, and instrumental delivery and/or CS.

Anyway, to the OP - relax, and have a nice glass of wine. Your baby will come when he or she is ready. Don't worry about maternity leave too much - just enjoy these last few days of your baby being inside!

bumpybecky

IME sweeps can be *very* uncomfortable! the first one I had with dd1 had me wriggling up the bed to get away it was so painful :eek: I think although I was overdue at the time 40+3 it was still too early

I do agree that they're pointless until the cervix is ripe, and even then I wonder if they help, or whetehr it's co-incidendce if labour starts after one.

I had 3 with dd1, the last sweep was 3 days before she was born at 41+3.

Didn't bother with dd2&3

Hopefully Jo is chilling out somewhere and labour will start soon, if it hasn't already!

mishkanorman

sorry whats roffle ??

Again I think it depends on who does a sweep, with my first babe it was hell cried my eyes out while I was having a pessarie (sp?) the actual sweep the second time round I barely noticed.

OOOH no replies from Jo_r, sending my push vibes out just in case !!!!

Mishka

essexhoney

roversbabe wrote:

I'm on the raspberry leaf tea too - have been drinking it daily since 36 weeks as I've been advised that this MAY make labour easier. Fingers crossed eh

Am now 38 + 5 and waiting for roversbaby to make his appearance.

Jo_R - good luck and I hope baby arrives naturally for you - good on you for insisting on a home birth. :T

Best wishes for everyone's pregnancies!

rb x

ooh not much longer to go for you! :j
i didnt drink the tea with my first and had a 13hr labour with my 2nd i did and had a 45min labour! Whether this had anything to do with the tea or not i dont know i know that normally with further births after the 1st are supposed to get quicker so it may have been the tea it may not have i guess il never know
im trying to avoid sneezing at the mo just incase :rotfl:
Wishing you the best of luck xx

sry

Just wanted to wish you well with your birth, I've been willing your labour to start for you.

roversbabe

any news yet Jo?

roversbabe

essexhoney wrote:

ooh not much longer to go for you! :j
i didnt drink the tea with my first and had a 13hr labour with my 2nd i did and had a 45min labour! Whether this had anything to do with the tea or not i dont know i know that normally with further births after the 1st are supposed to get quicker so it may have been the tea it may not have i guess il never know
im trying to avoid sneezing at the mo just incase :rotfl:
Wishing you the best of luck xx

Fingers crossed - I'll let you know what happens. This is my 1st so I'm expecting it to take a while.

rb x

mum26

bit late to this thread but of my six I've been induced twice (at 39 weeks with twins and with one aby at 14 days over as I was in stoppy starty labour and the trace was showing problems with his heartbeat) and overdue another two times with one baby deciding to turn up on the due date

I found induction to be fine, boring if you do it form a standing start, but not more painful than a normal labour, you just jump into the stronger stuff quicker, I had prostin gel each time and only had gas and air for pain relief, it was a very positive experience. I hope you get your home birth as I know a few people who've had them and loved it, but if you do end up with hospital I hope that is as satisfying as possible, does your hospital have a "home room" we had one where they had a normal double bed etc!

good luck xxx

Jo_R_2

No - still nothing yet LOL!

Miskha - no I refused a sweep, interestingly I never had an opinion one way or another until it got to last week's consultant appointment when I knew I would be offered one but I couldn't bear the thought of it!

People keep asking have I tried this and that, but being brutally honest, I haven't tried ANYTHING... I firmly feel that baby will come out when ready, and if not then there is a reason for that that needs to be looked at. Having said that, the night before I went into labour with DD1, we had a curry which was the first one I'd ever had!

I did have a show on Wednesday evening so thought we were in for some labour-type action but alas... nothing! I am beginning to realise that I may have to attend this 42-week appointment and scan and make some firm points with the consultant. I know what I want and under what conditions re; the home birth (ie if everything appears fine then to continue as we have been) but if things AREN'T great then I need to know and I am still unsure as to whether to agree to induction or go for c/sec, I just don't know...

And the days are passing by...

ka7e

Hi Jo R - having had both a truly horrible "natural" birth (no pain relief, anterior presentation and post-partum haemorrage!) and a great induced one (twins delivered at 38 weeks, 4 mins apart, no stitches..yippee) all you need worry about is the well-being of your baby.
In the grand scheme of things, the birth will occupy only a few hours of your life, and whether a good or bad experience, it will fade into insignificance once you hold your new baby! If you are advised not to have a home birth, for whatever reason, accept it's probably for the best. Midwives don't usually try to make life difficult for mums, but they are aware of the risks associated with a baby being overdue.
Good luck anyway....aren't you tempted to try another curry?!