39 weeks and getting worried

[Earthmom07]

My first baby was born 31 weeks and doctors and no clue as to why this happened. Now I am pregnant 39 weeks with my second. In the beginning they wanted me to go on hormones (pregestrone shots). I did my reseach and yeah right I refused. They were perplexed and keept pushing it on me and even trying to scare me. Even one of my midwives try to scare me into it. Love the scare tactics. So hear I am 39 weeks with no intervention of any kind of chemicals or anything else. I just used good old bed rest , taking it easy and being stress free. However, I am not feeling any aches or pains to let me know that the baby in coming so now I'm getting worried. I do not want to be induced. Any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone?

EarthMom

[bluebunny]

I, too, am 39 weeks and have had no signs at all that labor is imminent or even close. It sounds like the fact that your prior pregnancy ended at 31 weeks has made you nervous. Every pregnancy is different. It sounds like your current pregnancy is normal. I'm not sure why you are worried about induction at this point? If you are feeling fine and baby is fine, why would induction be a consideration?

[Tattooed Hand]

I wonder why it's become so common to push induction earlier and earlier. Isn't a due date the middle of the period when a baby generally comes (38-42 weeks)? Doesn't it stand to reason that about half of all babies would come after that date?

My midwives suggest an ultrasound after 41 weeks to make sure everything is OK, but there is no talk of induction until past 42 weeks.

It seems like everyone is different in terms of notice and warm up signs. Unless you have a reason to think something is wrong, I would not stress out about it.

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by Tattooed Hand

Doesn't it stand to reason that about half of all babies would come after that date?

I think i remember it being that most come after the DD.

You're doing great mamma, baby will come.

[Earthmom07]

I'm worried if i go pass 40 weeks. Since they have already tried to scare me into hormones they might try to scare me into induction.

[bluebunny]

I'm worried if i go pass 40 weeks. Since they have already tried to scare me into hormones they might try to scare me into induction.

First, you have a week for baby to come without talking induction. Second, at your 40-week appointment, if induction comes up, just tell the doctor that you want to wait it out for a few more days. Doctor might want a NST or some other way to check baby and that's fine. I refused to set an induction date at my 40-week appointment and offered to come in at 41 weeks for an appointment to reassess. My son was born 40 weeks, 6 days (according to their dates and 40 weeks, 4 days according to mine).

[sweeetpea]

DDC crashing - with reassurance and encouragement -

My first was born at 34 weeks, no reason why (I think work stress had a LOT to do with it!).

My second was born at 39w6d, after several weeks of (probably unnecessary, but it got me out of work) bedrest to prevent preterm labor. I never had a symptom of labor in the last three weeks until my water broke and he was born less than three hours later.

My third was born at 41w2d.

Babies come when they and you are ready. They do not have a tiny little calendar in there to tell them that THIS DAY is when they are supposed to be born on someone else's timetable.

Normal gestation is up to 42 weeks. If your care providers are pushing induction before then, then they are not practicing evidence based care, and they are treating you like a statistic, not an individual. Should they want to schedule an induction, ask what the medical indication is, and please, can they refer you to the source of the data supporting induction for that condition. It is a bit confrontational, but you are your own best advocate, for your health and the baby's health. Inductions can be really rough on you both.

Or, you can stop going to appointments and take your phone off the hook until you go into labor...

Good luck!

[jilly]

Nothing more to add in terms of information, just hugs, as I"m also at 39 weeks and counting. I our hormones are running so high at this point that we feel anxious, and it is so nice to find something tangible to worry about (aside from labour).

On the bright side, at least you're not dealing with a lot of miserable pre-labour . . .

[kirstenb]

With both of my pregnancies, I had absolutely nothing happen until I started labor. I worked on my due date for both of them and felt great! DS1 was born at 40+2, and DS2 was born at 40+1. Your baby will come when he is ready, don't let the doctors pressure you into something you aren't comfortable doing.

[notjustmamie]

I'm sorry you're feeling pressured. Baby still has lots of time to come out--without needing to be induced.

[ladyleah]

Originally Posted by jilly

Nothing more to add in terms of information, just hugs, as I"m also at 39 weeks and counting. I our hormones are running so high at this point that we feel anxious, and it is so nice to find something tangible to worry about (aside from labour).

On the bright side, at least you're not dealing with a lot of miserable pre-labour . . .

Agreed! I am 39 weeks and a day, and I feel great in general-- no where near starting labor (or should I say no signs of prodromal labor or something like that). Sometimes I feel very happy about that, sometimes scared. As evidenced by another post today about baby movement, for which I have become hypersensitive.....

I am due 11/27, but think he may not show until at least 12/1 or 12/2 anyways (why, I don't know--- maybe its because its my first-- and I always hear that they go late).

I am sure your fear are compounded due to your situation with the other pregnancy... I can imagine that this would amp this all up another 10 notches!

Sending you while you are waiting for your healthy baby to arrive....