This is my second baby, I was induced at 38 weeks 3 days last time due to high BP and possible Pre-eclampsia. The labour did not go well and I ended up having forceps and a million stitches. This time around I have been looking forward to going in to labour at home and being able to do it all 'my way'.
I am now nearly 5 days overdue. I had a VE on thursday at 40+2 and the OB also did a stretch and sweep. She told me I am 2cm dilated but my cervix is still long, firm and quite far back. But after saying that she also said she expects me to go in to labour over this weekend. Well, it's Saturday night and apart from the period pains, BH contractions and general soreness I have had for 2 weeks, I don't feel any different.
I was bleeding after the stretch and sweep and I think I may have had the 'show' as well...I am just waiting, waiting, waiting. I am booked in to be induced next friday 26th which will be 10 days overdue but I REALLY don't want to be induced again.
I have done a fair bit of walking this week but can't do anymore because I am just so sore all the time, I am sitting on my fitball a lot and drinking lots of raspberry leaf tea.
Apart from just wanting to vent a bit, I guess what I want to know is, is it NECESSARY for me to be induced at 10 days overdue? How long can I go before there is genuine concern for the baby and placenta? I really want to avoid an induction, this is my last baby so my last chance to do it the way I want and if that means putting off an induction for a few more days then that is what I will request.
There is some evidence that the risk of stillbirth increases after 42 weeks gestation, but personally I don't like the rigid line in teh sand approach. We're all so different. Our bodies are different, our babies are different and each pregnancy is different. The ting is, nobody can predict at what point the pregnancy may no longer be safe - it's all guesswork. Sometimes the placenta fails relatively early, but then some women have perfectly healthy 43 week gestations (or longer even ).
Do you feel comfortable being induced? Remember that it's up to you. What happens to you and your baby is your call - it's ultimately your responsibility. If you'd prefer to wait a few more days, then talk about it with your doctor or midwife. If they are urging you to be induced, then ask for good medical reasons - they should convince you, not the other way round.
I was induced at 42 weeks with my first, and I was resolved not to be induced again without a specific medical reason. I wouldn't accept 'gestating too long' as a valid reason - both my babies have been born at 42 weeks or later and I'm comfortable with that. Not everyone is, and that's ok, but it really should be up to you.
Thanks for the replies, I am thinking of telling my OB at my appointment tomorrow that I would prefer to put off the induction till next monday, which will give me an extra 3 days to try and do it myself. I am 41 weeks tomorrow and although I really want it to be over with, I also don't want to go through the same labour as last time.
Why won't he/she just come out!! Aarrggh!!
Overdue!
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