41+2 & still no sign!! Advice?!

You’re completely within your rights to refuse induction, especially before 42 weeks. Even after that, you can refuse and they will just have you in for v regular monitoring (I think daily), they’ll want to check that baby is still doing well and getting what they need from the placenta. But you’re right, you will go into labour naturally when baby is ready, you won’t be pregnant forever if you refuse induction!
I assume your pregnancy is all normal and low risk? If so, make whatever decision you feel is right.
Also, I had my little boy at 41+2 🥰 no induction, my waters went spontaneously and contractions started 5 hours later.
At the end of my very long labour, they put my on pitocin as my contractions were slowing down (a whole other story) and can vouch that contractions on pitocin are absolutely horrendous, way worse than natural labour 😩

Hey, try not to worry or stress about it’s the worst thing you can do, try stay calm watch loads of funny tv programs and light heart stuff!

I was suppose to be. Induced 10 days after my due date, but because the hospital was busy it was pushed back he ended up coming bang on 2 weeks after my due date 🤣

I found the induction absolutely fine the hospital stay before hand was the hardest part of it all Labour included!!

You go with what your gut tells you, only you know what’s best! 😊🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

If you choose to go over 42 weeks they'll offer you daily CTG and twice weekly scans. It's fine to go over but have a plan for how long you're willing to wait. And definitely consider membrane sweeps. They work 50% of the time and can negate the need for formal induction. Xx

Hiya I was 41+2 when my baby was born and like you I also decided against any sweeps or inductions. I think my midwife said they will offer induction at 2 weeks over due.. I’d also read that sweeps didn’t always work for some women. I’d say if you are wanting to avoid the above then try and stay patient and let nature take its course, baby will come when ready x

Agreed! No need to do anything before 42 weeks. A lot could change in 5 days. At 42 come up with a plan you feel good about. I hate how birth has become saturated with fear-mongering tactics!

I am only 30 weeks, but we have a family history of every baby being late, so I'm kind of expecting to be in your shoes soon... i have my mind set that no induction before 42 weeks. (Or actually 42+1, because I'm dead sure my due date is off at least by a day. That date they gave is just physically impossible. You usually need an intercourse a few days before conception max 🤣 )
I also have a similar mind, that I want absolutely natural birth without pain meds or anything. And I want baby to be able to decide when. It's pretty much the biggest decision of her life!
So, I read a lot about inductions. It seems like stillbirth risk slightly increases after 41 weeks, but it only really starts climbing after 42 weeks. So waiting until 42 weeks sounds ok to me.
And as others said, you still have 5 days. Just tell them your decision, and then do things that relax you, and get you in a happy and comfy mood. I'm sure baby will arrive soon! But baby needs you to feel warm and safe, so he/she knows it's ok to come! ❤️

@Julia interesting you say your due date is off, because I believe mine is too. I was away for work before my last period, so I know 100% I'm not actually 41+2! In fact it's 40+2 since the first day of my last period, and 38+5 since the conception date (I know the exact date the deed was done lol). But the dating scan said my due date was 23rd Aug which makes me currently 41+2, I'm so far along now I don't think doctors really care about what I know with regards to the dates & they only go by their figures. But at least I'm not as far as they're making out so the risks aren't as bad. Xx

Not sure if this has already been said but my best friend was overdue and she ingested castor oil and gave birth that day! It might give you the 💩 but it’s been well known to induce labor!! It’s worth researching if you’re wanting to keep it natural! Wishing you lots of good luck

If you know for sure they are at least a few days off, then you can have some peace of mind, that you know risk is not as high as they put it. You can even mention this to them if you want to put there an argument. Very possible your baby is so late, because it's actually not that late... dating scan works with average sizes as well, and not 100% accurate... individual differences are smaller at 12-13 weeks, but they exist!

Also my fiancé was born 3 WEEKS late and he’s extremely healthy!

I gave birth at 41+4 with my eldest they weren’t going to do induction until 42weeks at night but they also don’t bring you in unless there is a bed available, it’s your choice to be induced or not a sweep is a natural way to induce labour as no medication is involved, the only thing you have to be mindful of is that your placenta will start to deteriorate, with your dates sperm can live upto 5 days an you can ovulate early or late but as said before they are only estimated dates as they can never be 100% accurate with my eldest daughter they put my date back by 5 days which would have made conception impossible in my case by there dates I gave birth to a 7lb14 oz baby at 37+3

My baby came 41+5 I had no signs and tried everything, labour only started when I started to relax (endorphins help labour), baths, films, cuddles, fav snacks etc Also I’m pretty sure I heard castor oil is actually dangerous for baby x

Eat 6 dates a day! Makes your contractions efficient once the come!

Relax. Easy to say, hard to do. If you're all worked up & stressed out, it will affect you and your baby. Keep your normal daily routine & stay positive.
Baby will come when they're ready. You can refuse induction if you're not comfortable with it. But something to keep in mind, pregnancy after 42 weeks can be dangerous for the baby. Your placenta basically starts to get overworked, & the nutrients & oxygen going to the baby can decrease. Also, how was baby measuring at your last scan? Baby will keep growing, and the bigger they are, the more stressful a vaginal delivery is on both of you.
I'm in no way advocating for induction, I've had 2 kids & I refused induction & waited for both to come in their own time. I just want you to have some more information so you can make a decision if the time comes. I saw you have a birth plan, which is amazing. If you haven't already, I would suggest thinking about what you're willing to change if complications or unforseen situations arise. A plan B is good to have.

@Caitlin Thank you for the info, it's all helpful in me making a decision. With regards to the size of baby at my scan, I have no idea...I only had the 12 & 20wk scans and they didn't say anything about size? X