40+ Weeks Pregnant--encouragement...

Updated on October 25, 2010
A.P. asks from Springfield, OR
19 answers

I was due on Wednesday and am obviously still pregnant and am still working (I'm a teacher). I'm tired and emotional and just want to have this darn baby. I swear my students look more concerned every day! My first son was born four days after my due day, but was induced because of preeclampsia (despite the induction I was able to have a pretty amazing labor experience thanks to a great midwife). My doctor this time (we've since moved) is very laid back and I don't get the impression she is in a hurry for me to have the baby, but I'm getting so anxious to be done. Any words of encouragement? I feel like I'm never going to go into labor and going be pregnant forever! I'm hoping the full moon tonight does the trick...

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So What Happened?

Turns out you all were right, they don't stay in forever! Our little baby boy was born Oct. 26th at 9:00pm--6 days "late"--it was a short labor and everything went well. Thanks for the support!

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J.V.

answers from Chicago on

Remember, every week inside is one less week of peak fussiness and crying outside! So, just think, for every day over you go, that's one less day of that awful bloody, I'm dying newborn scream!

Hang in there!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

I did all the tricks and nothing worked. I hate wine and someone suggested a small amount. Yuck. My daughter was born at 41 weeks-a Monday. I had gone to the doc on Friday and not even a tiny bit dilated or anything. They were not worried about it since everything was going great. I was scheduled to have an ultrasound though to see how her water and such was just as a precaution. Went into labor instead. They called to tell me I missed my appt but I was kind of busy.
BTW, my daughter still tries to be the one in charge. Good luck and maybe that extra pull of gravity for a full moon will do it for you. :)

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J.K.

answers from Atlanta on

If the full moon, sex or eggplant parmesean doesn't do it, a few miles walking the next few days sure will:) Like any good cake, it's not done till it 's done. Full moons did it with both mine, and good luck:)

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K.E.

answers from Buffalo on

It will happen do not worry.

Have sex tonight, with lots of breast stimulation and hope that helps, and take a long walk. 16 months ago I was on here begging for help to encourage labor, and a trip to the zoo did the trick the next AM I went into labor. oh and lots of sex.

Congrats on the baby and good luck.
((Hugs)))

UPDATE::: CONGRATULATIONS :0)

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

OK, we'll all pray the full moon is literally pulling for you - TONIGHT!
Are you tall or have a long torso so have lots of space for your baby to be comfy? I recommend a good long stroll if you are capable, then a hot bath, followed by sex. Hopefully something will trigger contraction for you. And just remember you cannot possibly be pregnant forever. All ovens bake at different rates...yours takes a little longer, and in the long run, it is so much better for the baby too.

Edit:
Eggplant Parmesan??? Julie, where did that one come from? Did I miss something in what to expect? I absolutely love that dish though, so think I'll make it now, this week, with some nice wine and hubby....;)

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V.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I know exactly how you feel... Okay, I'm only 39 weeks so I'm not over due... But I am definitely ready to have this baby out. At 36 weeks I was told that I was dilated at a 2 and ever since I have been trying everything to speed things along... Walking... Nipple stimulation... Sex... Everything. At my last appointment my doctor stripped my membranes and since then I have been having contractions. At first I was ecstatic. I thought that I would start having the contractions... They would get closer and closer together... And then I would have my baby. Nope. I have been having contractions since Monday night and still no baby. The contractions will go from 7 minutes apart for an hour to 40 minutes apart for the rest of the night. Needless to say, my excitement has turned into annoyance.

So for both of our sake... I hope the full moon tonight does the trick... For both of us! :)

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A.S.

answers from Portland on

My son was 15 days late. It felt like FOREVER and was so hard mostly because I couldn't stand waiting to meet him! He was 9lbs 3 oz (born naturally in a birthing tub). Since he was late and big he was born a good eater (nurser) and could already hold his head up. It made my job so much easier! No I look back and the time we waited doesn't seem like such a big deal and if we have another I would love for him or her to come "late" and so prepared just his/her brother did!

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J.S.

answers from Seattle on

Both of my kids have been late. It is hard to be patient. Continue what you are doing. I walked alot. If your dr. strips membranes that may work. Full moon and sex also works.
The baby will come out. They have their own sense of timing.

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D.J.

answers from Seattle on

I'm going with the spicy food. I don't know if it's spicy food in general, but I remember the ladies in my hometown would go to the diner and eat the spicy taco salad. For whatever reason it seemed to do the trick. My mother went down and ate one when she was overdue with my sister (there's a 13 year age difference), and WhaLa! Labor.

I know, it's probably not the salad, but maybe fix up a zinger of a taco salad.

Whatever you do, I'm saying a prayer and hoping the full moon and good thoughts get things going.

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S.G.

answers from Dallas on

I completely understand. My second just wasn't coming out. I walked, did pressure point therapy, ate spicy food, squatting, ran on a treadmill did everything but no labor and I was past 40 weeks. I had to tell the doctor to induce me due to I was miserable and just wasn't dialating at all. You have to do what is best for your body which is to have your baby. It is up to you if you want to wait for your little one to come on his or her own time or if you feel your body is feeling worn down then have the talk with your doctor. Which ever decision you decide is best. Congrats on your second baby. In the meantime keep walking.

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A.S.

answers from Eugene on

it's wonderful that you have a laid back doctor! your baby knows the best time to be born. just be patient and savor these special days. maybe you could take some more time off of work so you could really enjoy and prepare and have special time with your son?

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W.C.

answers from Seattle on

Hang in there! Every baby comes when it's time for it to come. Your doctor will know if it is time to encourage it to come. I was two weeks past my due day and the doctor was still waiting. Baby came just fine. Full moons are great precursors. My daughter was born on an eclipse! Babies in the hallways!

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B.A.

answers from Saginaw on

I know exactly how you feel.

I went 11 days over with my first and 9 days over with my second. I have always said since having children they should give you an inducement day as your due date instead of the this is your due date. Somehow with having that inducement date you know an end is near without it...it just feels like forever.

First I just want to say, you know you won't be pregnant forever. Most Dr's offices won't let you go past 2 weeks. So hang in there.

Secondly, maybe asking for a final inducement date for piece of mind will make you feel better. With my 1st, I never got that, but with my second I did. It was a relief and you know what she ended up coming on her own the day before inducement was set.

Good luck, hope he/she comes soon for you!!!

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Cook up some casseroles for the freezer so you won't have cooking to worry about once child arrives. It won't be long. Enjoy the quiet and rest up best you can. Toward the end for me I couldn't walk very comfortably because my joints were so loose my hips were grinding with every step. If you have a nice deep bathtub, float in it as much as you can - it really helps take some of the pressure off your back. When I had my son his first 6-8 weeks were a blur for me because it seemed like I could never get enough sleep. Child will certainly be here before Thanksgiving, and probably before Halloween (have you got a newborn costume? Some of them are really cute!).

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J.S.

answers from Seattle on

A. - I know how you feel: #1 was 7 days "late", #2 was 10 days "late", #3 was 14 days "late", and #4 was 3 days "late" (finally broke the pattern!). The thing is, the average term for an American woman who has no interventions is 41 1/2 weeks. But will the Academy of Obstetrics change their official 40 week stance? No! So women all over the country think they're late and need to get the baby out. Studies are now showing that kids who were delivered by induction have higher rates of asthma and allergies. This makes sense because the only thing left developing is the brain and lungs during the last two weeks. Everything else is done, just getting bigger and stronger.

Each morning that you wake up without any rumbling in the belly, just tell your baby, "I'm going to spend the day nurturing you and maybe I'll see you tomorrow!" You can only take one moment at a time, so do your best to just breathe and enjoy the day because being pregnant is a gift (even if it's heard to bear sometimes!) that has a definite expiration date, then it is taken away.

I tried everything I'd heard of with all my 40+ week babies (short of castor oil, which definitely DOES work, but who wants to be in labor with puking and diahrrea?) and it seemed like the more I fretted about it the worse it felt. I tried to make early contractions into labor and ended up being sent home after a few fruitless hours at the birth center. I felt stupid for calling out my midwife and her students, and frustrated that baby wasn't coming, and tired. After a hot bath and full day of rest without my older girls the real thing finally came, only after giving up on trying to get labor going!

Blessings on you, and your baby, and your *eminent* delivery!!!

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M.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I went 41 1/2 weeks with our first. The key for me was scheduling an induction. Not HAVING one, but scheduling it. I begged for one and finally got one scheduled at my appt. at 41 weeks. I was convinced our son would never come out on his own. I was totally miserable, with our son lodged in my ribs and pushing down on my bladder, and couldn't work the last month. The doctor swore he'd see me before the induction the following Tuesday and I thought he was nuts, I was so fed up. Of course, the Sunday before the induction, I woke up in the morning to contractions and had our son by the afternoon.

Hang in there! I remember just what you're going through and promise you this baby will come out soon. Will hope the full moon makes a difference for you.

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L.U.

answers from Seattle on

haha...sorry, I shouldn't laugh since I am prego with my third and HATED being overdue!
My first son was a week overdue. I had a journal that I kept when I was prego with him and one of my last entries is..."I swear to God I am going to be pregnant FOREVER!! WHEN IS THIS CHILD COMING OUT!?"
I was single mom, so no sex (with a partner!) but I tried everything else I could think of!
I finally went to a surprise birthday party and was dancing and went into full blown labor at the party. Hands and knees, panting...practically on the dance floor!
You WILL go into labor soon...I know it's hard to believe, but within the next week you should be greeting your LO.
Good Luck, L.

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R.B.

answers from Medford on

I know the feeling! My third was 18 days late. It felt like forever! Actually, I didn't feel that anything was wrong and wouldn't really have tried to speed things up except I do home birth and it's illegal to deliver at home after 3 weeks. So I was trying EVERYTHING to get things going. I even mowed the (very bumpy) backyard with NO results. Finally, I took one long walk in the evening and the first contraction came at exactly midnight. Eight hours later I was holding my daughter. I guess my point is, the baby will come when ready and you may as well enjoy the last few days of being pregnant. You'll never get to carry this child in this way again! ;) Blessings on your birth ...

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J.P.

answers from Boise on

I wish I had a doctor as laid back as yours! :) Think of it this way. In just a few days you will be having to take around two children with two of everything. Everything is still so much simpler right now....enjoy it! Think of your great birthing experience to come and getting to meet that baby, but enjoy the last few kicks and tickles and flips going on in that tummy. Can you tell that I love being pregnant? :)

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