9 days Post EDD, please tell me I can do this

[FreeSpiritMama]

I'm having a hard day, I can't stop crying and I'm loosing faith in my body being able to go into labour A few weeks ago I was having tons of prodromal labour and for about a week now nothing but occasional cramps. Baby is low and LOA so why won't s/he come out! I'm so conscious of 42weeks approaching fast (41+2)

I'm not trying any induction techniques as I really do want to believe my body can do this but its SO hard.

Thanks for listening

Carrie xx

[Hollycrand]

Carrie,

I know how you feel...I was feeling the same way 2 weeks ago. DON'T lose faith in your body being able to go into labor. You CAN do it!
Would doing some acupuncture or acupressure be an option for you? What about raspberry leaf tea? Have you thought about having a 'talk' with your baby and told him/her your feelings? Explained to him/her you can't wait to meet him/her?

Sending you labor dust!

[MamaRabbit]

Don't think about it at all. Go see a movie or do something to get your mind off of it. That baby's gotta get out of there eventually. =)

[Titus2fam]

I love ya, Carrie! You CAN do this!!!!! YOU CAN! and we're all rootin' for ya too~cheering ya on. Not far to go~hang in there! Very soon you'll be holding your baby!!!!! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

[whoamama]

You are so strong and such a good mama. If there is absolutely anything that feels undone or unready for the babe, do it right now. Otherwise, go for a really long walk, keep eating as well as you can ( I know you might not have much appetite--during the couple of weeks of prodromal labour I had with #4, I lost weight). Keep faith with your baby, s/he will arrive when ready! Big hugs to you.

[Wittyone]

Yup, you can absolutely do this! I agree that keeping busy is good b/c it helps keep your mind off of the endless waiting....I'm only a couple of days behind you and I really, really understand!

I've been scrounging up walking buddies each day and taking a good long walk (yesterday I went alone). It sort of wears me out but then I don't feel bad coming home and putting my feet up for a while. I think I sleep a little deeper at night too (for brief periods of time anyway!).

I also keep reminding myself that this little one knew the perfect time to arrive in my body (not the timing we would have planned, but it turned out to be ideal), and so will also know the perfect time to make an exit. All very good in theory...not so easy to believe in practice...but I'm trying!!

It is truly *amazing* how long each day can feel at this point in time. I know we'll look back and realize just how short that extra week or two really was, but man it seems like ages right now, doesn't it? to you Carrie!! We'll be snuggling those little munchkins so soon (right?!?!)

[Carley]

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

You are being SO good to your baby carrie!!! S/he is going to be so healthy and perfect because of these extra days with you!!! Let yourself be emotional girl! It's perfectly ok considering the chemical experiment your brain has become! I break down all the time... it is awful to feel this way, but SOON we will have darling, healthy, chubby, perfectly latched faces to look at

(..i also had prodromal labor for over a week that went away easter sunday! wtf is up with that?! we're like pregger twins!! maybe our bodies are waiting for the new moon...?)

thinking of you and all of us slow cookin' mommas!! WE WILL DO IT!!!!! YES WE WILL!!!!!!!!!

[AdinaL]

I understand. I am about 5 days behind you.


Someone very wise reminded me today that 42 weeks is also 40 weeks actual gestation.

Have sex, eat good food...stay up late, watch movies...hell, have a glass of wine if you feel like it. Baby WILL come. (I am having faith as well...)

I found out last night that my MIL (who had three kids vaginally all over 10lbs) went to 42 weeks with all of them. So, yesterday, I just sort of settled in.

[fireshifter]

Stopping by from January boards

Carrie,

I went to 41+5 days with my son..Supposed to be a January baby, came in February. The pregnancy up to that 40 wks was pretty easy, but after my EDD came and went, it was hard to stay focused and we were just so tired of WAITING!!

Here's a link to my birthing story. It was wonderful. Hang in there

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=410635

Jen

[mamameg]

You can do this, mama! Keep the faith in your body and your baby and everything will be just fine!

And look at it this way.... you have 5 full days before you hit 42 weeks and that's A LOT of time. A lot can happen between now and then.

Oh... but just a note about having a glass of wine (per Adina's comment ). As nice as I know that sounds (boy oh BOY, could I use it ), my MW heavily advised against it becuase it will relax your uterus and that's not what we want right now! We want aggitation! We want an uptight uterus! Embrace the natural stress your body is under and trust that it's all part of the process.

I'm 42w3d today and I, too, am feeling anxious about meeting this baby, but I am keeping positive that things will happen in their own good time, the time determined by glorious mother nature. You can do it, FSM!!!!

All the best to you....

[AdinaL]

Yeah - a glass of wine is not for everyone. All depends on what the stress is doing... and where it is accumulating. I have lower back problems, thus a super tight lower back/pelvis - which I WANT relaxed. Glass of wine - on my list of things that helps. So yeah, take that one with a grain of salt. (Truthfully I want a margarita....maybe if I get a great night of sleep she will come out! )

[KittyKat]

Can you see a chiropractor?

I didn't start going to one until late pregnancy (my first time EVER going to a chiro was at about 35 weeks along!) and I wished I had been going all along! I was feeling so tired, discouraged, sore, etc and I'd go get adjusted, and feel a little better. Try to find a chiropractor who is experienced working with pregnant women, and who can do the "Webster technique" (which is specifically used to turn babies that are not optimally positioned, but it's also good for tension in your pelvic ligaments, feels SO good to get that released!!!)

I had never gone past 41 weeks exactly before this time, and I went to 41 weeks 5 days! The day she was born I was scheduled for a BPP to check fluid levels, and I was starting to think I'd end up being pregnant forever. Thankfully, after waiting such a long time to get labor started, she decided to come very fast! We barely made it to the hospital on time, and she came out just moments after I got into the waterbirth tub! All that pre-labor stuff must have done its job.

Don't worry. Hang in there! Your baby will come out when it is time. I kept asking during the last few weeks "WHAT are you waiting for? You're past the full term point, you're fully developed, I'm ready, the baby stuff is ready, your carseat is IN the van... WHAT are you waiting for???" Well, as it turned out she only weighed 6 pounds 2.4 oz. even being almost 2 weeks "late" I can only imagine how tiny she would have been at 39-40 weeks!!! They'd have probably wanted to do tests, keep her in the hospital until she gained weight, all kinds of headaches. As it was, we got to come home 5 hours after birth, she knew she needed to hang in there and gain weight before coming out.

Trust your body. You CAN do this.

Kathryn

[Stayathomemommy]

i am right there with you 41+3! i have just made a decision to not think about it. of course i have 3 little ones to keep entertained so that helps. keep busy and dont dwell on it. try and talk as little as possible to people who are likely to say, "YOU STILL HAVENT POPPED YET!" stay away from them.

we will both be done soon.

[KKmama]

I really like acupuncture, myself. It has never sent me into labor, but I *do* find it very relaxing, and I always have contractions *while* I have the "labor stimulating" acu done, so I count it as a helpful thing. I think that trying the "pleasant" labor stimulating stuff first is much better than jumping in and torturing yourself.

I went to 42 w 4 d with #1, 41 w 5 d with #2, and I'm 2 days past my EDD now. I honestly don't really expect to see a baby before next week. Some of us just go longer. It's a real hassle that the *rest* of our society is so uptight about women going past your EDD.

From my experience (and from talking to others), it seems like often, "late" babies are a little bigger and more mature, and therefore easier babies. Honestly, I don't think that's a bad trade-off.

Hang in there. No one's ever been pg forever.

[Wittyone]

Originally Posted by KKmama

Hang in there. No one's ever been pg forever.

I tell myself this multiple times per day

[FreeSpiritMama]

You ladies are so great THANK YOU

Its definately other people I am letting get to me, I so wish I had told everyone I was due early May! When DS and I are out and busy or I am with someone who is not hung up on an EDD I feel GREAT, I'm still enjoying this pregnancy and I really do trust my body and my baby.

I've been having weekly reflexology which is so relaxing, I think I might have a change this week and book in for accupunture instead Haircut is a great idea too, heck I'm going to go all out and book a manicure & pedicure too

Hope everyone else is doing good today

[mamameg]

FreeSpiritMama, glad to hear you are feeling better! yes, it's definitely other people that bring us down when it comes to going post date. Avoid them, or just blow them off!

In positive news, my labor has finallly begun! Only 2w3d past my due date! I took some blue and black cohosh last night and that started contrax before I went to bed. They picked up around 3:00 and at 3:30 I got to pee and found I'd lost my mucus plug. I've been having regular, painful (real!) contrx about every 5-7 min since then. I'm shocked I was actually able to go back to sleep! Not the best sleep ever, but I did get some more rest. Now I'm up and breathing through contrx nicely. Wish me luck!

Hoepfully this will be encouraging for you - even I, the woman who thought her body just wasn't made for going into labor, has gone into labor! If I can do it, you can, too!

[FreeSpiritMama]

Thats great news Megan Happy Birthing Mama

[Carley]

Oh that's wonderful meg!!! You are an inspiration!!! Sending you fabulous birthy vibes!!! Can't wait to see pictures of your little one

& to all!