Help, Mamas - overdue with talks of induction

WhitMN24

FTM, here. Okay, I'm of the mindset that babies come when they're ready. However, I'm now at 41 and 2 days with a cervix that is high and thick with the baby still way up under my ribs. My midwives will let me go to 42 weeks as long as my amniotic fluid levels are okay at my u/s on Sunday. The head midwife (whom I don't normally see but did today) wants to induce me Saturday and is thinking it will definitely take two rounds of cervadil (12 hours apart and I'll have to be admitted to the hospital) to get me going. I called my usual midwife with additional questions, and she is in much less of a rush and says we can wait until Tuesday in the hopes that things will progress on their own. The head midwife didn't see anything in today's u/s that is making her want to rush it - it seems more of a convenience thing and just really doesn't think I'll go on my own.

I've been super calm to this point and am still comfortable, but now I'm slamming RRL tea, taking cohosh, went for a two hour walk, and have a prenatal massage/acupressure appointment tomorrow. Crazy multitasking. Also, we've been having lots of sex in the last several weeks on advisement of the midwife.

Advice? 

MrsAlliP

My biggest piece of advice- Hang in there!  The baby can decide to come at anytime whether you look ready or not.

I thought DD2 would never arrive. DD1 was two weeks early so there was a lot of talk about DD2 possibly being early too.  Well, after lots of waiting, my midwife scheduled my induction for DD2 right at two weeks past my due date.  I tried tons of different things to make her come, but instead found myself agreeing with so many of the ladies on here that these things only help when your body is ready to go into labor.  (Still made me feel better to try!)  I had sort of accepted the fact that we were showing up to the hospital at 8am the next morning for an induction.  Then, my body totally shocked me and labor started about about 4:30am.  We got to the hospital at 7, and she was born at 7:24am.  Just know that it can happen! 

I encourage you to push the induction date as far out as you can to give your body time to have this baby on its own. It sounds like you are doing the very best you can!

Holly_1007

I have also heard that there are pressure points on your feet, so treat yourself to a pedicure!

nap as frequently as you can as well, labor could come on VERY suddenly!

MangomamaFL

 Here are some articles:

The Surprising Lack of Evidence for Postdate Birth Induction.

CIMS Fact sheet on Induction

mjr12

secondaryPULSE:

traceyt07:

secondaryPULSE:

Wow. I'm sorry that your midwife doesn't know how to follow an evidence-based model of care. Keep in mind that the cervix can go from high and closed to soft and dilating in a matter of hours. How high/thick/closed/whatever you are now doesn't mean you couldn't go into labor at any point. Also, keep in mind that it's an ESTIMATED due date (with margin of error, even with early ultrasound), and like you said, babies come when they're ready. Here's a link to an awesome article by a wonderfully talented midwife that addresses the concern of post dates:

https://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/timely.asp

The article is great, and also has the citations at the bottom if your midwife would like to review the literature. 

As for you--if you're still comfortable, you certainly don't have to consent to the induction. Try your best not to let them scare you. You are doing yourself and your baby a favor. He/she will let you know when they're ready! Also, try talking to your baby. Let him/her know that you're ready, and that the world is a beautiful place! The acupressure/massage is a great idea. I have also heard great things about chiropractics and acupuncture. Oh, and of course sex works well too. Best of luck!

DH swears that DS came when he did b/c he had a "talk" with him and told him that he was ready to be a daddy. 

  Totally. Babies are really in tuned with such things!

I completely agree!  I'm sorry to hear that a midwife is pushing you toward induction.  There's a Hypnobabies Track that might help you, called come out baby.  https://www.hypnobabies.com/mylink.php?id=4058  Maybe that could help you stay positive and working toward bringing your baby earthside. 

The ACOG also states that post-dates is actually AFTER 42 weeks.  https://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2011/08/22/what-acog-has-to-say-about-due-dates/

Good luck Mama, know that you're doing what's right for your baby, and that babies know how and when to be born! 

WhitMN24

Thanks so much for all of the advice and encouragement. It's so easy to get crazy at this point, and you all really helped me breathe and get perspective.

mrsj0423

Keep up with the frequent sex too!  Making sure your partner comes inside you and you orgasm... For that matter, you could masturbate whenever you get the chance to get the oxytocin flowing.  Both fun and potentially productive!