Spontaneous first labour, induced second?

[OceanPrincess]

Hi ladies,

Just wondering if anyone knows the likelihood of having to be induced for a second labor, if the first was spontaneous?

I'm now officially overdue and don't feel like bubs is ready to go anywhere... yet DD was born at 39+5wks after labour started spontaneously at 39+3.

What are the chances that I'll need to be induced for this bubs? Just curious if anyone has had to be induced for a second labour after their first was natural...

[BellyBelly]

You're only post dates, not overdue

Ask your Ob / midwife what position the bub is in. If posterior, it could be a reason, and you can have acupuncture, optimal fetal positioning etc to help move bub.

The bub may just be doing its own thing in its own time, and perfectly fine. Its more common for first to be induced than second. But the factual basis for that would be due to pressure of medically based EDDs (guess dates) I assume.

Naturally Inducing Labour - Natural Induction Methods
Induction of Labour - To Induce or Not Induce?
The Lie of the EDD: Why Your Due Date Isn't when You Think - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com

[OceanPrincess]

Thanks for the reply Kelly!

Bubs is cephalic and fixed, 3/5th engaged. Has been head down bum up for about 8wks, just started engaging about two weeks ago. MWs pleasantly surprised he was fixed/engaging as apparently lots of second bubs don't engage til labour starts.

He's not posterior and I've had four induction acupuncture sessions since I was 39wks. My last was Wednesday and I'm booked in again on Monday. Have also loaded up on the RLT, some chinese herbs from the acupuncturist, have tried hand expressing and DH is getting more action than he has in a long time!

I do not want to induce at all. My concern is if I reach 42wks I won't have a choice... unless I ignore the policy of the family birth centre...

[Taurean]

Are you drinking RLT? The day before I went into spontaneous labour with my DD, I had two MASSIVE mugs of RLT (as strong as I could) and I also scrubbed the laundry floor. I felt a few cramps at around 6am and my waters broke at home at 7.20am. I was 38+5. I'll be trying the same thing with our next baby

[onthefly]

Ah, you're only just post dates, so still plenty of time yet.
Have you tried bouncing and jumping?

[OceanPrincess]

Taurean - yep, up to four cups of RLT a day!! Yesterday I was down on hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor Sadly nothing though...

Marcellus - I know, only just past, but I assumed he'd be here by now, based on everyone telling me "Oooh second babies always come earlier!" Clearly they don't always!!

I've been up and down some flights of stairs... not bouncing and jumping as such.... I was contemplating getting out the Wii fit step program tonight and giving that a bash. Don't have a fit ball unfortunately... maybe I'll grab one at the birth centre today and bounce on it while I'm waiting for my appointment...

I've just had my 5th session of acupuncture and I'm currently brewing up some nasty smelling herbs... which I apparently have to drink... mmm, tasty...

I guess I was hoping someone could say "Yes it is most likely you will at some point go into labour naturally, based on the fact that it happened naturally the first time". Feel a bit like my body is letting me down as it did everything right the first time and now it seems like nothing is happening...