Afraid to refuse a recommendations

I was born at 43 weeks naturally. Not saying it's recommended that was 90s China lol. But unless there's a medical reason you can absolutely go overdue. You can get a sweep if you're comfortable with it but I'd say don't stress it. I was the same as you, worried beyond belief, but my baby came at 37+6 all by himself 😂 totally useless worrying hahahah

@Susie oh wow 43 weeks 😄 amazing! Sometimes they recommend things to healthy mothers like they are in need of it. But like you said if there’s no medical reason should be fine until baby is ready. A first time mother here so it’s all overwhelming 🥺 but stress probably won’t help anything.

Yeah I was told at 20 weeks I should be induced at 39 weeks for no reason at all. Low risk pregnancy and all. I switched immediately as I wanted a natural water birth. Your body most of the time (not all) will go into labor at its own time and first time moms TEND to go a little longer (obviously not me 😂). So I say relax, have sex closer to due date if you're comfortable, maybe try the usual (eating dates, red raspberry leaf tea, bouncing on a ball, curb walking) closer to due date but I personally wouldn't stress until you hit 40 weeks unless there's medical reasons.

My own midwife told me they recommend things that are medically unnecessary all the time, because it works better for them. E.g inductions & sweeps. I was basically told by the consultant at the hospital my baby would be stillborn if I didn’t have an induction, despite having the healthiest pregnancy ever. I told my midwife and she was so shocked to the point she wanted to raise a complaint on my behalf. Trying to organise labours rather than having women turn up in labour works so much better for them. Your body knows what to do. All the studies suggest more medical interaction in pregnancy and births lead to more complications

Agree with @Amelia I ended up having zero medical interventions, not even an IV or pills, let alone pain relief, and my labor was as smooth as could be, I labored relaxed in a room with dimmed lights, and baby was born with no one rushing me, barely anyone even talking. Animals give birth in a safe place and interrupt labor if they feel unsafe, so a hospital with bright lights and people shoving things into you isn't always ideal.

One of my daughters was born at 43 weeks, and came out perfectly fine. I hate the pressure for inductions unless there's a medical issue.

I was high risk and offered and recommended to have a sweep or some form of induction three times in my 39week as baby was a bit smaller. But baby was as still active and hiccuping like he did. So refused. Sweeps don’t always work and can introduce infection. With exercise and mediation (was trying to be really relaxed for birth) my waters broke on my due date and started labour naturally, but was still offered induction (synthetic oxytocin drip) again. But everything in my body was telling me to not to. Ended up with the calmest c section. I was really scared in first trimester of the labour and birth. But once I accepted that the birth story you want might not happen and just be open minded to it all. Take each decision one by one. Talk it through with someone. And you don’t always have to take medical advice.