HELP!

Curb walking/walk up the stairs sideways x

@Elizabeth thankyou!x

Eating 3-6 dates a day, remember that baby will come when ready and first babies tend to come a week or so after your due date so try to hang in there

@Sisi thankyou for the advice! And I am more than happy for her to be a little late as long as I don’t have to be induced 🥲x

Why would you “have” to be induced? Is something wrong with baby or has it been a difficult pregnancy? They have a very clever way of making it sound like induction is a requirement but it’s absolutely your decision unless there’s a medical necessity for it.

I did the Miles Circuit last pregnancy at 39+2 and my son was born 39+3 😎 worth a shot!

@Gaby the midwife I saw on Wednesday mentioned booking an induction as my cervix was still high and not softened or dilated even a little bit, thankyou for that! I’m a first time mum so I took that as she would need to book me in if I haven’t progressed x

@Klara I will give this a go! Thankyou very much!x

@Natalie how far along are you? You can absolutely refuse an induction. My first was born at 41+5. This time (#3) they started pushing me to induce the second I hit 40 weeks. I refused because my second was an induction and a lot more painful labour. They’ll want to make an alternative care plan, ie. Get you to come in so they can monitor baby or do additional ultrasound scans. They will also continue to pressure you to make a plan for induction. You can just say you want to give baby until 42 weeks to come of his own accord. This is fairly standard across Europe AND the nice guidelines state that while they are obliged to explain risk to you, they are also obliged to reassure you that most women will spontaneously labour by 42 weeks. Please don’t let them push you down a route you’re not happy with xx

@Gaby I’m 39+4, that’s great to know thankyou so much!xx

I didn’t go into labour until I got induced and had her on her due date via C-section

@Samantha congratulations, I very much don’t want to go down that route though x

@Natalie of course! Wish someone had told me all this my first time. I ended up having a horrible experience because my care team made it sound like I didn’t have options. If in doubt just keep asking “what’s the alternative?” Good luck 🍀😘

I'm 40+6, had a sweep, and have been trying everything.. Still no signs.. I'm at a loss and have accepted that there isn't anything I can do 🥲 hope the pineapple works for you today 🤞🏻

Okay I don't know if this actually worked or if I was going to go into labour anyway 😅 a friend sent me a yoga video on YouTube (title - I went into labour after doing this. It was by Lemon yoga) but..I did it and went into labour that night (my actual due date too). The same thing actually happened to the friend that sent it to me. Worth a go I guess 🙂 good luck

I’m 40 + 2 and have come to terms with the fact that baby is just going to come when it’s ready haha . I’ve tried all the things people suggest and walk my dogs every day . The NHS website says nothing is actually proven to make you go into labour and I think most of the time people are probably going into labour anyway and it just coincidentally happens to be after they’ve done something people suggest . Hope your baby comes soon :) x

Majority of babies come at 40+1, and apparently a lot of first babies are usually late, I agree with comments you don’t have to accept induction unless baby is at risk and you can be monitored. I always believe they could easily be wrong by week off your due date then that changes everything when it comes to induction suggestion! Keep strong with your gut 🫶🏼

Absolutely with @Gaby on this. The pressure on women to be induced before the baby is ready is bonkers. It simply adds to the anxiety unnecessarily. Unless there’s a valid reason, there’s no benefit to having pre-term sweeps, and absolutely no need to be induced at 40 weeks! Due dates have a huge margin for error after all. I had a lovely midwife who respected that I didn’t want to be hassled for intervention, but even then I felt the pressure and we had to make a plan if he hadn’t arrived by 42 weeks. Honestly the moment I chilled out, watched something funny, felt like my old self, the oxytocin started flowing and he arrived at 41+5. Trust the process, remember you’re in control of your choices and remain informed (please check out Katherine Graves on IG, she’s a wise, experienced voice of reason and common sense!) oh, and in France you’re not considered ‘overdue’ until 42 weeks. Good luck, your babe will be here before you know it and all this anxiety will be long forgotten xxxx

It’s painful because your cervix isn’t soft yet. Usually is uncomfortable not painful. I’ve got my first sweep next Thursday. I been having contractions BUT they SO FAR apart and not progressing. Unfortunately it’s one of those that the baby sends signals to tell the body it’s time 😬

If it helps, my due date was the 13th.. and still no baby! Had midwife appt 4 days after this.. have refused the sweep & plan to refuse it again on Monday. I also told them I don’t want to be induced. For me, it’ll either be natural birth over the next few days.. or elective c section. Hope this helps to reassure. In the meantime I have tried: curry, sex, sprinting, I’m into my 4th week of raspberry leaf tea supplements, drank 50 raspberry teas, eaten a pack of dates over the past two weeks, curb walking, miles circuit, yoga ball… and this evening I’m trying the recommended Clary Sage Oil in the bath and in the diffuser. Starting to think that baby will only come when she wants to! Good luck with it all! It’s bloody tough. Women are amazing!