Going past 40 weeks, heres what happened next…

What did I do post 40 weeks pregnant with my second baby?

Going past ‘40 weeks’ is a little bit like waiting for a bus in Thailand, they arrive on their own time, they NEVER stick to the schedule and they certainly weren't easy to wait for.  (uncomfortable, horrid and long wait) 

If you have travelled to Thailand, and you have waited for one of those buses, then you know what I mean!

So at 40 weeks with my 2nd pregnancy and I was mostly feeling calm, hypnobirthing sessions were completed so I was feeling happy and ready for the big day. I hopped, skipped and jumped down to my appointment at the hospital thinking ‘I’m nearly there’  (Yeahhh baby)

Only to be told ‘You're measuring too small’, I was 6 weeks behind the tape measure. This had been a very common theme in both of my pregnancies, I was always ‘behind’. I was always having growth scans, and talking with my friends and family this seemed like very common practice. Something that didn’ really shock me. 

I was sent for a scan at 40 weeks, ushered out with a brown envelope up the day assessment unit. The sonographer didn't say much apart from, ‘go upstairs’ she did however say, ‘I don't normally scan at 40 weeks, I couldn't really measure the baby, it's all too big at this point’ My gut feels were *I know this baby is growing (I can feel it, see it and she is moving just perfectly) 
Two hours later, I was ushered into a room. "We're inducing you now," 

SORRY?! YOU WHAT?

(I wanted to shout this, but these were thoughts in my head) I said to the lady in the day assessment unit, sorry I don’t think I will be. Tears started to fill in my eyes. (Don’t take my birth away from me, the one I knew was so close to happening) 

I must admit now on reflection I did not react in the best way possible. I was fully equipped with my knowledge from all my Hypnobirthing sessions, BUT could have dealt with it in a calmer way? Yes. They are only doing their job, and making sure all is ok. 

I declined an induction and asked for an alternative way of checking if the baby was all ok. This is the conclusion I made based on the information I looked at. 

• My gut instinct was strong 

• The unreliable stats surrounding measurements and scans were dominant in my findings, looking at ALL the evidence 

• Blood flow to placenta was great 

• Babies heart rate was good 

• Lots of movement from baby 

• Risk was still very LOW in comparison to induction of labour 

I read Dr sara wickham's evidence, Evidence based birth, AIMS and NICE guidelines to make my informed choices backed up my thoughts. You can check yourself any evidence, here;

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng207

https://www.aims.org.uk

https://www.sarawickham.com

My alternative choice from the consultation was, 

• Attend day assessment unit; and wait for baby 

• Consider a sweep (still a form of induction) 

• Talk again at 41 weeks 

• I had another conversation with another consultation at 40 +3 days who again tried to ask me to take an induction, and I declined again. (I was much calmer by this point)

I really did feel pressure, I have one week to get this baby OUT OUT OUT! Suddenly I felt the pressure from the external noise, hospital, my body doing its job and for me, I just really didn’t want an induction. (for my own personal reasons, and absolutely this is not an anti-induction blog, I just didn’t want one) 
Knowing what I know now, stress is not one to have holding over you, especially if you're about to go into labour. It’s something we want to avoid at all costs.

So this is what I did next…

I went back to all my Hypnobirthing magic. I revisited all the knowledge I had. I worked hard on trying to make sure that the decisions I was making were the right ones, any doubts to be pushed aside. I practised calm breathing and watched videos on why the ‘overdue’ dates were so dated in their evidence.

I decided I couldn't mope around thinking about ‘when is this baby going to come’ - so I walked. I walked like a mad pregnant lady. I think I stomped around Richmond, hoping that this movement would jig her into labour. 

I got some reflexology, which was absolutely amazing. It made me feel so happy, calm and well rested. (a bit like listening to the self hypnosis tracks does to you, that sleepy feeling you have just before you fall asleep)

I also went to have some acupuncture, which again felt very relaxing. The needles were placed in specific parts of my body, to increase blood flow, and again give that feeling of being totally sleepy, at ease and trusting my body.

I really think being past the 40 weeks with the pressure of hospital can feel like a twisted mind spell, but if you can dig deep with your Hypnobirthing tools and stay proactive things still have ‘time’ to happen.

Removing that external stress will help remove adrenaline (the bad guy) and hopefully replacing it with oxytocin hormone (the good one!) can really help support you in this time. If this is you right now, please don’t fear it alone. Feel free to drop me a message, or come to some pregnancy relaxation (wish I’d had this!) to take your mind away from any fears you have.

Remember - Its your bump, and you're near the beginning! (P.S heres me 40 & 5 days pregnant - about to go on my Richmond stomp!)

Kirsten xx