Positive Birth Story at 42 + 5 weeks at Preston Royal Hospital
Eleanor lives in Lytham and supports families across the Fylde Coast and in Preston. She provides antenatal hypnobirthing courses and postnatal trauma support.
Michelle’s Positive Birth Story - a spontaneous birth over 2 weeks “late”
For many first-time mums, the pressure starts long before labour - the due date that comes and goes, the constant “any news yet?” messages, and the rising worry when friends, family and the NHS suggest induction is the only option. It can feel overwhelming, and like your body is already failing before birth has even begun.
Myles was born on 16th August 2025 at 3:44pm, weighing a healthy 9lb 2oz. This is the story of a 42+5 spontaneous labour, a forceps birth, and an empowering experience that proved how powerful informed choices can be and a reminder to every expectant mum that waiting, trusting, and listening to your body is more than okay.
The pressure of “overdue”
The NHS gave me an estimated due date* of 28th July, but based on my cycle I had it down as 2nd August. Either way, Myles kept us waiting - finally arriving at 42+5 (almost 3 weeks “overdue”)
* A must read article on estimated due dates - did you know how inaccurate they are?
I wasn’t surprised that I went “over” my due date. My mum had gone to 42 weeks with me (and was induced), so I had a strong feeling my boy would arrive when he was ready. What I didn’t expect was just how much patience it would take!
In the weeks leading up, life carried on as normal. Our house renovation was still in full swing, with decorators and carpet fitters buzzing around. Add two dogs, two cats, and a never ending to-do list and the days were full.
Do you have to be induced if you go “over” your due date?
Noooo! This is a huge misconception. Knowing when an induction is medically necessary and when it’s not is something I help mums to navigate again and again. Induction is a choice and only when you’ve got all the info should you decide to say yes or no.
Going “over” is not necessarily a reason to be induced. Want to know how to make that decision? That’s exactly what I teach.
Saying “no” to induction at 40 weeks
The questions and NHS policies started creeping in early. At 39 weeks I was offered a sweep, which I declined, and the midwives were fine with that, though friends and family seemed more shocked than the professionals!
The hardest part wasn’t always the NHS. It was the constant messages from friends and family. “When are you booked for induction?” “Do they even let you go to 42 weeks now?” “Thinking of you, hope you’re okay” - as if 41 weeks pregnant was some kind of medical emergency.
I know it was all well-meaning, especially from women reflecting on their own experiences, but honestly it was exhausting. I loved being pregnant. I was still walking the dogs every morning, pottering about, and enjoying the extended nesting period. My baby was healthy, I was healthy, and for me that was the perfect way to see out pregnancy. I didn’t need sympathy messages or people acting like I was fragile. By the time I reached 42 weeks, I stopped replying and just stayed in my bubble with Liam and our furry chaos crew.
At my 40-week appointment, I made it clear I wasn’t going for an induction. The midwife said she “had to refer me” but I could just decline when they called. Fair enough. But then I saw an induction had been booked in (without my consent) on the Badger app and I was fuming. Luckily, a few calming voice notes with Eleanor, and a strongly worded email later, and it was cancelled.
Boosting oxytocin and trusting my body to go into labour naturally
That last week was actually lovely. The house was ready, Myles’s things were set up, and I soaked up simple joys: pedicure, cinema trips, baths, feel-good films, and evenings with Liam.
On the Friday I had a little wobble (all the pressure just caught up with me), but Eleanor talked me down again over voice notes. Liam reassured me too, and said, “I think he’ll come this weekend.”
That night we had a quiet evening, I had a bath, he made tea, and we used the scientific method of sex and orgasm (sorry Mum if you’re reading this!).
Sexual intimacy is an effective way of boosting the love hormone - oxytocin. There isn’t evidence to suggest that sex itself can induce labour but oxytocin certainly get’s things going.
All week my body had been giving me signs - niggles, tightening’s, sensations that came and went. Nothing stuck. Until Friday night.
Where can I give birth in Blackpool, Preston or on the Fylde Coast?
Preston Royal Hospital is just one of many options in the North West.
Explore where else you may choose to give birth and read real mums experiences about their care.
Going into labour naturally at 42 weeks (and 5 days)
I went to bed with contractions that felt different - stronger - but they fizzled out after painkillers and I got some sleep. At 4am I woke up knowing things were happening. By 5:30am I told Liam, “This boy is coming today.”
I tried to distract myself, but contractions built quickly. By the time my bloody show appeared, I knew it was on. I bounced on the ball, used the TENS, got in the bath, but they kept ramping up. I downloaded a contraction app and in no time I’d gone from every 10 minutes, to 6, to 5.
I ate, got dressed, and told Liam: “This baby is coming fast.” When I rang the birth centre, they were sceptical. The midwife told me, “You might still be in the latent phase, pop in, but no rush.” I thought, Latent phase? I’ve been in that all week!
We got in the car and I had four contractions just on the drive over. When we arrived around 11am, they saw my face, handed me the gas and air immediately, and I knew I was in business.
The pushing stage of labour
I agreed to a vaginal exam (my first and only one) because I knew I was nearly there. I was 7cm and as she checked, my waters went with a gush. There was a hint of meconium, so they recommended transferring me upstairs to delivery. I was disappointed, but at that point I was so far along that I accepted.
The midwives set up a pool for me anyway, following my birth plan, and I’ll always be grateful for how they respected that. Liam was incredible, keeping me focused through transition when I felt like I couldn’t do it.
A “no drama”, positive, forceps birth
I laboured on gas and air, switching between the pool, all fours, and the bed. After two hours of pushing, Myles was descending beautifully, but his heart rate dipped and I was tiring. With his heart rate dipping and my energy fading, the team suggested an episiotomy and forceps. I was ready - I understood the risks, the reasons, and I trusted them.
One big push later, with the help of forceps, our boy was born. No yanking, no drama - just immediate relief and joy. We did it.
Delivering the placenta and recovery
The only part I didn’t feel in control of was the placenta. They told me I’d already lost some blood, and I could sense that, so I accepted the injection. But when it didn’t budge, I needed a spinal block and manual removal. That was tough, especially leaving Myles with Liam while it was done. But as soon as I was back, we had hours of skin-to-skin.
Myles was a very healthy 9lb 2oz, looking like a chunky two-month-old already!
Thinking about having a birth with hypnobirthing tools but not sure what hypnobirthing is?
I get it, the name sounds a tad off putting and you’re already thinking your birth partner would need convincing.
Say no more. Below is my FREE Masterclass that explains everything you need to know. It also gives you a good excuse to pop your feet up and grab a biscuit!
Reflecting on my spontaneous birth at nearly 3 weeks overdue
Looking back, I’m so proud. I did all of active labour without pain relief, only gas and air right at the end. I advocated for myself, made informed choices, and stayed true to what felt right for me and my baby.
If the house had been ready sooner, I’d probably have had a home birth - but even in an NHS setting, I had a positive, empowering experience. My plan came together about 80%, and I’ve walked away in awe of what the female body can do.
Most of all, Myles arrived safely, in his own time, and I got to spend those extra weeks at home soaking up pregnancy instead of stressing through an unnecessary induction.
It was the best possible start to this wild, wonderful ride into motherhood.
There’s nothing lucky about a positive birth experience
Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to Eleanor at Birth With Choice. In those last weeks, when things felt lonely and overwhelming, she was a constant source of support. We must have sent countless voice notes back and forth, and every single time she reminded me of my strength and my female power. I honestly wish more women could access that kind of encouragement - because the more we share and celebrate positive birth stories, the more empowered future mums will feel.
