The 41+ club

Bettytteb

Hey all. I am 41 weeks today and doing all I can to keep a grip on my sanity. I figured there are probably a few other 41+ weekers out there sharing in this struggle so I wanted to start a thread for us to bitch and whine and support each other (rather than me continuing to hijack the labor watch thread with my daily "still no baby" posts). 

Here's where I'm at: As of my appointment yesterday I am not dilated at all despite 2 weeks of cramping (HOW?!?!?!?). All indicators show baby is healthy although the amniotic fluid level is on the very low end of the normal range. The doc said he's not concerned about that yet, unless baby's movement decreases or any other problems crop up. So now my vigilance about tracking baby's movements is bordering on obsession because I'm so nervous about the low fluid! I have another BPP scheduled for Thurs and will likely be facing induction the end of this week if nothing happens before then. I've started the process of trying to accept that my dream of an intervention free birth might not be possible. 

What's going on with you other 41+ ladies?

Bettytteb

Really? No one else? Womp womp.

sarahsnowball

I'm only 38w right now but my son was born at 41w3d. The night before I went into labour I was out with friends, telling them about my scheduled induction and my disappointment that my baby wasn't looking like he would arrive on his own.
I know how frustrated you must feel, but there is still hope that you may go into labour spontaneously.
Wishing you the best of luck!

ETA my point is that DS did actually arrive on his own, before I needed to be induced (not sure if I made that clear)

Cornstarch7

I'll be 41w on Friday and showing no signs of labor.

Ceb2015

I'll be 41 on Thursday. Showing no signs of labour but had a long discussion with my midwife today about ways to start labour naturally. Really hoping an induction isn't in my future as I have plans for an out of hospital birth. Feeling discouraged to say the least!

jordans_wife

Lurking from the Feb 16 board. With my 1st I was 9 days over before I had him. I got home from work and hopped in the shower determined to kick things off. I had told my ob I was gonna do castor oil and she laughed and recommended nipple stimulation instead. So I soaped up and continuously rubbed by boobs in a circular motion. I'd do it in increments for as long as I could handle bc it's an annoying feeling. Anyway, I lost my plug in the shower and went to bed with mild contractions that were about 10 minutes apart. I woke in the middle of the night around 1 or 2am with the real thing. I had him at 1 that afternoon completely med free as planned. With my 2nd I was 5 days over and she gave me a great sweep. I had him at 11 that night med free also. Anyway, just some ideas if you haven't tried those. Nipple stimulation does work.

ckeate

I'm also 41 weeks on Thursday and have no signs labour is coming. Going for a second sweep on Thursday, hopefully that helps.

ealling

I'm 40w&1d... Appt today and still only 1 cm dilated and 0% effaced. OB would do sweep because I wasn't showing progress and said it would be beneficial. Induction is schedule for this Sunday.

thefithuntress

Regarding the fluid levels- chug chug chug ALL the water / coconut water. Also, do you see your dr in the morning or afternoon? I upped my intake a ton and pushed my appointment and I managed to get my fluid levels up 3 points. Definitely worth doing to avoid induction / going insane.

Bettytteb

thefithuntress said:

Regarding the fluid levels- chug chug chug ALL the water / coconut water. Also, do you see your dr in the morning or afternoon? I upped my intake a ton and pushed my appointment and I managed to get my fluid levels up 3 points. Definitely worth doing to avoid induction / going insane.

Thanks for the tip!! My last appointment was mid afternoon and my next one (Thurs) is at 1pm. I had some acupuncture this afternoon and the acupuncturist also recommended trying to stay super hydrated. I'm going all in between now and Thurs with everything I can think of to help this little one make progress on his own to avoid induction.

elbou

I'm not there yet, but I was a member of that club with 2 out of 3 previous pregnancies, so I know how you feel.

DD1 was nice enough to get things started on her own the night before the big induction talk, and DS enjoyed keeping everyone guessing until 9 days after his EDD. We even had an ultrasound the morning before I went into labour with him, and the tech told me she could still see my cervix while she was checking things out, and that he "probably wouldn't" come that day. Ha! He had other plans!

Fingers crossed for you that your stubborn little one is ready before he/she gets an eviction notice!

snlyon0614

41 weeks and 5 days today.

Cervix is high and barely (if any) dilated. They're pushing for induction today despite my best efforts

Hoping she surprises us all

@Bettytteb I had a chiro and acupuncture appointment yesterday, wish I would've gone sooner, I think it really helped move her down! Wish I would've done it sooner, wouldn't be in this situation I think, something to think about trying!

CandBHutchinson

I'm 40+4 today and have gone through the full list of what to do and eat what now feels like 100 times ... Funny part is I seem to be handling it better than my friends and family at this point. I too have dreams of an intervention free birth so I'm trying to stay positive and just keep doing all the things that are "supposed to help" - nipple stimulation, walking, sex, acupuncture and pressure points.

My doc said he will be evaluating me again next Monday and we will talk induction options at that point but I'm hoping he will let me wait it out since everything still looks good.

Stay positive and good luck to you all!

emilyealbers

My little guy came at 41+2 I tried EVERYTHING to get things moving between 39+5 and 41 - nothing worked. He came when he wanted to. It sucks. I was going crazy. I'm sorry that you have to deal with it, and it's ok to be grumpy about it.

NathanheartsKim

Sorry mama, I feel your discomfort. My first came at 40+3, my second was 40+6, and my third, born Nov 10th, came 18 minutes before 42 weeks. Chug your liquids and keep moving. You got this!!!

shirellejames6

Hi Mums. I'm 41+2 today and I'm tired and quite fed up. My hips are in agony, I'm so exhausted and just look and feel quite rough. Nothing is happening! Baby is very active and has been since 21 weeks. I had a sweep last Friday which has given me mich discomfort up until yesterday and a bloody.show. Other than that....nothing. This baby is not ready to make an appearance yet. My cervix went at 28 weeks and I was put on total bed rest until 36weeks and now you'd never believe it. Waiting patiently........ almost as imminent desperate anticipation in wanting to meet my gorgeous bambino.xxx

janeenandruss

Awww I am not alone on this island... I am 41 weeks today and only 1 centimeter as of yesterday. Deffinatly feeling helpless and over being pregnant....

Ceb2015

Well I'm 41 weeks today and had a session of acupuncture done... That was interesting. Going back in two days if I don't have the baby... Had my first contraction (or what I think would be a contraction) last night- was hoping that was the start but nope!
Trying everything to avoid induction and stick with my out of hospital birth.

Anyone else feel more nervous as the days drag on?

dashaatx

I am at 40w, 4 days.  I am also hoping for an unmediated birth so waiting it out but starting to get nervous like everyone else!  I have been doing all of the induction tactics we have all discussed, and no luck yet.  As of my doctors appointment yesterday, I showed no dilation but was about 50% effaced. 

Based my doctors schedule, she will let me wait until 42w, 2 days - as long as everything stays normal.  So best case scenario, I've got 12 days for this baby to liberate itself

Hang in there ladies!!

Cornstarch7

I'm nervous about scheduling if I do end up needing an induction. I'll be 42 weeks the day after Thanksgiving and I've heard a lot of people having issues over this because their providers won't induce over the holiday weekend. I really don't want to be induced (as I'm planning a med free water birth, which isn't an option if you're induced), but I'm not too comfortable going over 42 weeks, either. I'll know more Monday at my next appointment. So hard to wait!

Ceb2015

Cornstarch7 said:

I'm nervous about scheduling if I do end up needing an induction. I'll be 42 weeks the day after Thanksgiving and I've heard a lot of people having issues over this because their providers won't induce over the holiday weekend. I really don't want to be induced (as I'm planning a med free water birth, which isn't an option if you're induced), but I'm not too comfortable going over 42 weeks, either. I'll know more Monday at my next appointment. So hard to wait!

I feel you! I am 41 weeks today and also don't feel comfortable going over 42 weeks. I was hoping for a med-free birth too. Good luck at your appointment on Monday! I hope everything works out for you! Keep
us posted!

Cornstarch7

Ceb2015 said:

I'm nervous about scheduling if I do end up needing an induction. I'll be 42 weeks the day after Thanksgiving and I've heard a lot of people having issues over this because their providers won't induce over the holiday weekend. I really don't want to be induced (as I'm planning a med free water birth, which isn't an option if you're induced), but I'm not too comfortable going over 42 weeks, either. I'll know more Monday at my next appointment. So hard to wait!

I feel you! I am 41 weeks today and also don't feel comfortable going over 42 weeks. I was hoping for a med-free birth too. Good luck at your appointment on Monday! I hope everything works out for you! Keep us posted!

Thanks, you too! I definitely will. Haha, I can't keep myself away from these boards the last few weeks.

Cornstarch7

Alright. Officially 41 weeks.

Cornstarch7

Bettytteb any updates?

carolmae02

I'll be 41w tomorrow.  Hoping my little nugget will come on its own this weekend, I was wanting to do med-free, but if it doesn't we're being induced on Monday.  Mentally, I just need to be done.

Bettytteb

Update! We got to meet our beautiful little boy yesterday. I tried everything under the sun to avoid induction in the last week (acupuncture, sex, pineapple) but was still just 1cm dialiated when I went to the doctor at 41+1. In addition to the low amniotic fluid, baby was having some heart rate fluctuations so he told us it was go time! The induction was a pretty brutal 28 hour ordeal (with about 10 hours of active labor) and I had to give up my plan of an intervention free birth, but at the end of it we have a beautiful, healthy, little boy and I couldn't be happier.

Cornstarch7

Bettytteb said:

Update! We got to meet our beautiful little boy yesterday. I tried everything under the sun to avoid induction in the last week (acupuncture, sex, pineapple) but was still just 1cm dialiated when I went to the doctor at 41+1. In addition to the low amniotic fluid, baby was having some heart rate fluctuations so he told us it was go time! The induction was a pretty brutal 28 hour ordeal (with about 10 hours of active labor) and I had to give up my plan of an intervention free birth, but at the end of it we have a beautiful, healthy, little boy and I couldn't be happier.

Congratulations!!!

jesshock22

I'm also officially 41 weeks tomorrow. I'm scheduled to go have the cervical gel, cervidal on Monday at 1:30 at L&D. They monitor me for 2 hours and then send me home for the night if all is well. We go back to start pitocin at 5:30 am on Tuesday.

Most ladies on the bump that have talked about their inductions seemed to be admitted after the gel but guess my OB practice does it differently.

Really hoping labor starts some time this weekend. I've been walking, bouncing and having needles stuck in me but still not a single contraction!

Ceb2015

jesshock22 said:

I'm also officially 41 weeks tomorrow. I'm scheduled to go have the cervical gel, cervidal on Monday at 1:30 at L&D. They monitor me for 2 hours and then send me home for the night if all is well. We go back to start pitocin at 5:30 am on Tuesday.

Most ladies on the bump that have talked about their inductions seemed to be admitted after the gel but guess my OB practice does it differently.

Really hoping labor starts some time this weekend. I've been walking, bouncing and having needles stuck in me but still not a single contraction!

Yes my midwife explained we are also allowed to leave with the gel if all is good.

I hear you! I'm 41+2 today and going for my second acupuncture this afternoon. I've only had one instance where I would call it a contraction, and it didn't go anywhere. Had an ultrasound yesterday and baby is happy and cozy.

Calling my midwife on Monday morning to talk induction if nothing happens before then!

Good luck to you!

jesshock22

@Ceb2015 Good luck to you too!

arichmon1

I'm 40+2 today, my doctor scheduled me at 39+4 for an induction to start thanksgiving night if he isn't here really don't want to be induced, hoping the little guy comes on his own! At 39+4 I was 1cm dilated and 90% effaced, been having cramping all weekend, but nothing consistent or overly indicative that labor is on its way

Cornstarch7

41 + 3. Well, ultrasound and NST shows a very healthy babe. My cervix is completely closed still so I wasn't able to get a membrane sweep. Going into L&D for another NST on Friday morning and will go from there. Doctor recommends waiting until at least next Monday before inducing.

snlyon0614

I was 41+4 with no sign of labor (cervix back and closed) no contractions...until...

I had two appointments (Tuesday and Wednesday) with an acupuncturist and chiropractor. Appointments were in the morning, Went into labor Wednesday afternoon.

Do it!! The baby also was sunny side up but had the room to turn around and labor only lasted about 4 hours (I'm a FTM).

Good luck ladies!

dashaatx

41w1d. The NST has been good, lots of fluid based on sonogram and my blood pressure has been low.  So the wait continues.

I finally had some dilation this week, after nothing the previous weeks.  Currently at 1cm and 50% effaced.  So that was really encouraging because I was starting to feel like my body just wont do this! 

I've got an induction date of December 1 (42w, 2d) if nothing happens before.  Trying so hard to avoid it. 

@cornstarch7 - sounds like we are in a similar boat.  That's great that your doctor is giving you time!!!

ashes0601

I got induced at 41, thankfully I decided to do so as my daughter was 10 lb 3 oz and they estimated her to only be 7.5 lol

bellionaires

I'm right there with you ladies! I'm 40 wks 3 days and cervix is still back and not dilated... Ugh! So frustrating. FTM here and working on my patience. I'll see my Dr today to talk about sweep if she finds I'm even 1 cm dilated. Keep up those success stories! They give me hope...

babyturk

I'm 40+5 today (almost with you 41 weekers!) and have been having menstrual like cramps all day. Yesterday cervix was still high and I was 1-2 cm dilated. I went in for a non stress test this morning, baby looks good and I was having non painful contractions every 5 minutes. I'm having a membrane sweep Friday and induction scheduled for 12/2 but hoping she'll make her way out before then as I'm hoping for an unmedicated birth! FTM here. Good luck to everyone!