Planned home birth, facing induction

[Princess]

Again a vote for acupuncture and Dan at Dulwich Therapy rooms. There wasn't any sign of anything happening for me at 41+1. I had a session with Dan late on Sunday morning, went for lunch, then to the cinema. At 7.30pm I was just settling down to watch the X factor final (I know, I know but in my defense I was 9 months pregnant), I had my first contraction and by 10.30pm my son had arrived! If I ever have another one and go over again I would definitely go and see him before considering 'clinical' intervention.

[buggie]

:)) sb - good to hear it doesn't have to be induction with GD - am hoping to be in bargaining position nearer due date! x

[Fuschia]

http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/datesppr.html#Mortality

[Fuschia]

http://www.homebirth.org.uk/overdue.htm

[edanna]

Anna, I was worried about going overdue with my second because of meconium and long drawn out induction the first time. My midwife referred me to see an obstetrician at king's just to discuss things. She referred me for a scan just to check all ok and when it was they were in no rush whatsoever to induce. I had another appointment booked for 41 plus 4 but went into labour at 41 weeks. What I'm saying is that you can always just discuss it without committing to anything. Fingers crossed you get a lovely speedy non- induced birth.

[Smiler]

I am hoping for a (hospital) VBAC this time and have been confused about stuff I have read about induction and an initial chat with a consultant at Kings, which seem to suggest that the medication (prostaglandin / synotocin) used in induction / to help speed things along can increase the chances of problems with the C-section scar. Am wondering whether, if I go too overdue or have a slow labour, will need to consider a second C-section instead of VBAC, but I might've interpreted things wrong.

Went into natural labour at 40weeks + 4 days with my first baby, who was undiagnosed breech.

Am going to ask about all this at my next midwife appointment.

All these options / decisions are so confusing!

[new mother]

undiagnosed breech? good god, how did that happen in the modern age?!

[anna_r]

Thanks for your advice everyone. Baby not here yet but have a full day lined up of reflexology, acupuncture and long walks, then sweeps start tomorrow so fingers crossed.

x

[Vanessa3]

If you're heading for a long walk, head to Dulwich Park. There is a road through it with a curb - walk with one foot on the raised curb & the other on the road as this can stimulate the cervix (a bit like walking up & down stairs, only not as tiring).

Also, given that you are already overdue, and this is going to be the last thing on your mind.... but sex really can get things moving...

[happydulwich]

Hi anna_r,

I planned for a home birth with my 2nd child, but two weeks overdue had to be induced. The midwife did say if I could dilate up to 2cm then she would try and break my waters at home and hope to then continue with a home birth. Only got to 1cm (apparently cervix still open from last birth). As soon as they start the induction I was not allowed home, I did escape as they were short staffed over a bank holiday and then returned to start the drip.

Anyway, all the best and remember to try pineapple, raspberry leaf tea, curry and you know the other one!

[Smiler]

new mother Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> undiagnosed breech? good god, how did that happen

> in the modern age?!

Surprisingly it does happen - I personally know three other people (not in Dulwich) who had a similar experience!

[ladywotlunches]

Smiler Wrote:

---

>

> Surprisingly it does happen - I personally know

> three other people (not in Dulwich) who had a

> similar experience!

I suppose babies can move right up until labour starts - it just gets less likely once they are really huge (wish my bump would calm down a bit!!)

[Fuschia]

> new mother Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > undiagnosed breech? good god, how did that

> happen

> > in the modern age?!

Well, in most cases monitoring is via the MW feeling the baby... it can be hard to be 100% certain i think. There was some doubt with DS1 and I went for a scan at 41w just to be sure he was head down.

[Fuschia]

Any news?

Found this (look at page 7/8)

https://courses.fetalmedicine.com/fmf/show/372?locale=en

[anna_r]

Nope...still waiting! Two sweeps and acupuncture don't seem to have done much yet.

Seeing Dr at kings on wed to discuss and currently booked in for induction thur (42 weeks) although may change depending on what happens wed. Still hopeful I won't need it anyway!!

Can't seem to see that link as requires a login?

[Fuschia]

Try this:

https://courses.fetalmedicine.com/fmf/show/403?locale=en

[anna_r]

Well I waited to 42 weeks and after four sweeps, three reflexology, acupuncture, vindaloo curries, fresh pineapple (including the centre bit), very long walks, sex, clary sage baths (but not castor oil...couldn't face it) nothing happened so am currently sitting in Kings being induced.

So far the hospital experience has been much more pleasant than last time - they don't seem too busy so I am just hoping it stays that way and that I can get a room with a pool and also use some of the hypnobirthing techniques we've been practicing. My lovely Brierley midwife came with me to start the induction and should be able to come back if/when things start happening as they are also not too busy at the moment (although I understand that it is not always the case that are able to attend such hospital births given their focus on home births).

For anyone who is interested and facing the same decision, we had a postdates scan and meeting with the consultant yesterday and although everything was fine it was quite clear to us that the risks associated with going over 42 weeks (based on recent Kings statistics) did not justify pushing to go longer. Previously they were happy to let you go over 42 weeks with regular postdates scans however they don't now offer this as a matter of course, as the scans, while being a good point in time indicator that everything was fine, did not have predictive value. The most common characteristic linking births with negative outcomes was going over 42 weeks - and no other indicators (e.g. placental blood flow during post dates scan, size of baby) were as consistently reliable predictors. Of course everyone must make their own decision based on risk and their personal circumstances, but although I was really really hoping for a quick, natural home birth this felt like (and still feels like, at this stage at least) the right decision.

Fingers crossed things start kicking off soon and our little bundle decides to make an appearance!!

x

[Helen GV]

good luck! :)

[Belle]

Good luck Anna! thinking of you x

[craigy]

good luck anna..... xx

[Sanne Panne]

Good luck, I'm sure things are happening by now!

[busymum]

Good luck and take lots of comfort from the fact that you are with the brierely, they got me the best labour suite in kings, with views! they are just brilliant and will do everythign they can to make it a good birth experience.

I am so looking forward to hearing the news!!!

[Smiler]

Best wishes!

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Good luck Anna, hope the labour is fast and easy xx

[anna_r]

OK so time for the news!! Baby Ava finally arrived safely yesterday at 11am, 16 days late weighing 3.8kg. She is absolutely perfect and looks to me like a baby at term should do. When the waters broke there was no meconium and the placenta was not starting to disintegrate at all. She was also still covered in vernix.

Although I had to be induced it was so much better than my first birth and I am actually really happy with how it all went. I don't want to do a huge birth story but in brief the pessaries did nothing for me, breaking waters started things off but needed synto drip (and epidural which weirdly worked well on one side of my body only!). However managed to avoid instrumental delivery which I was so happy about. Baby was in a funny position which may have explained some of the delay (back to back and born looking sideways).

It was a far cry from my planned home birth but I am so happy with how it went, I feel loads better now than I did after Baby 1 and think I am recovering faster. I wanted to add that the Kings staff were all amazing. Brierley were with me for part of it and were also great but had to go due to being on call and other births etc. However every King's midwife who looked after me was fantastic, particularly the last two during the actual delivery. So supportive and encouraging. The anaesthetist and doctors were also great. We are really so lucky to have such a great hospital on our doorstep.

It made a big difference that the labour ward was not too busy (although post/ante natal wards packed) so we could stay in the room for several hours after the birth before being moved to ward. Last time I was cleaned up en route to the ward having given birth about 20 minutes earlier as they needed rooms so desperately.

Thank you for all your messages of support! x