40 + Weekers Support Thread! - Page 2

[Arwyn]

I've been planning on getting to 42 weeks since the beginning, so even at 40 weeks I don't feel "late" or anything like that. (Of course, I also had myself psyched up for a 36 weeker, so I wouldn't feel "early" before 40w)

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to!"
Wizards and babies.

[Yo Becca]

Love the quote arwyn! DH will appreciate it also!

DH took DD on a fishing trip this evening. They'll be back tomorrow night, but I decided to celebrate probably my last night of being alone until...this baby weans by taking a book and going out to eat. I forgot there's no more room in my tummy! Now i'm miserable, and I didn't even have that much!

I told MIL that people now look at me and wince. I think I look awesomely pregnant - but it's ridiculous how bangin' my belly is. I have been asked at least 2ce everytime I've been in public this week "When are you due?" - and not with idle curiousity, with awe at my freakish belly. Tonight at target, this older woman rushed to move her buggy saying, "oh, let me move this so you can get through" - but there was like a 3 foot gap already. It cracked me up, and I couldn't help but say, "Hey, I'm not *THAT* big!" She and I were both laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Her defense: "oh, I know, but I don't want you to hurt yourself"

[audeesmom]

Just chiming in...Today is 10 days past and all cramps and Braxton Hicks have stopped. I have been 3 cm for about 3 weeks and had membranes stripped on Tues. Next step is castor oil or some kind of cathedor according to the MW. Due date was fairly accurate as this was planned! So just waiting, resting and re-cleaning the nest again and again... Glad to know I'm not the only one!
Audees Mom

[PinksMommy]

Today is my due date! No signs of action here, I wrote the baby a letter this morning and I've been cleaning and just hanging out. I'm not uncomfortable so in theory I am fine with staying pregnant longer but I am really excited to meet this baby and find out who he/she is!

[AngieB]

I lost the nesting feeling, now my house is a mess, the floors need to be mopped, I probable should clean the bathroom again before the birth, kids toys are all over the house. I guess the baby didn't realize she should have come last week when I was ready for her.

[Farmingmom]

Agree with no more NESTING!! I have cleaned the house and stocked the fridge too many times~!!
DD is today and nothing so far!! I don't think I have lost my plug and BH seem to come and go. Nighttime is rough- can not get comfortable and belly is rock hard from when I go to bed until I give up and finally get out of bed frustrated and tired in the morning!!
Taking EPO, skullcap tea, and walking (or waddling) a mile a day! I have an acupuncture apointment for monday morning- hopefully that will bring on the baby!!
Anyone had any luck with acupuncture before??

[summerlilies]

I am now 9 days "past due." I walk 1 hour 15 min per day (have the whole pregnancy), started evening primose oil last night, and about to give myself an acupuncture treatment (I am an acupuncturist IRL.)

To the pp, I am a traditionalist and believe that nature should be allowed to take its course. I RARELY use acupuncture to start labor on someone -- unless they are overdue and there is a medical reason. I still think you should keep your appointment because a good acupuncturist treats all of you and it would be great for you to be peaceful and in a good place before your labor begins.

[reducereuserecycle]

what do you think about doing accupressure? i am thinking about doing it to myself or getting DH to do it to me. i am waiting a few more days but I am already 12 days past due. i read somewhere about a pressure point on the little toe...but where:inside, outside , top? what about a pressure point in the fleshy part between pointer finger and thumb??? Anyone else going to try accupressure?

[Full Heart]

I know there is an accupressure spot on the roof of your mouth and inside your leg a few finger widths about your ankle. I massage the inside of my leg every night, I can feel the point but its not doing anything. I am 10 days over due now.

[rubymoon]

I am 41w 1d over. I am going to attempt a homebirth vbac and am hoping she'll come soon so she isn't too huge. I am also worried about the whole meconium thing or other possible problems from going too long. I don't want this baby to end up in the NICU. I went ten days past with my first but I was induced. So, I really don't know how far I would have gotten with her. Anyhow, I am trying to be patient and just enjoy every moment I can as a single mother of one child before this next dd comes-on the one hand I can't wait for her to get here, but on the other I am not in too much of hurry because I am not quite sure how I am going to manage to care for myself, a 15 month old and a newborn. Anyhow, today is a beautiful day where I'm at so I think I might take dd for a walk to get some fresh air and even a little sunlight.
Good luck to you all!!!!!

[fljen]

I'm joining ya'll as of today and I can say that I am soooo ready for this to be done. I really empathize with the poor mamas here who're far ahead of me

One tough thing is that my midwife keeps saying that she'll see me soon but I want to know... when's "soon"??? It's driving me nuts

Ah well, maybe we're just hanging out for St. Pat's considering the dad is from Ireland

Good luck and lots of labor vibes to all!

[Yo Becca]

My experience with accupressure - it gave me contractions. ANd then, when the pressure stopped, the contractions stopped. Not effective, unless I just wanted a uterine workout. I went to a woman who specialized in prenatal massage and accupressure and she showed me a few spots. Personally, I don't have any interest in "nursing" a labor - I want it to start, but if it requires me to do anything to keep it going, it's not meant to be (help it progress more quickly, fine, but if I sit down and the contractions stop, the baby's not ready to come out yet).

That being said, tomorrow would be a really perfect birthday for this baby, for a handful of reasons... Lots of painful ctx today when I went for a walk, but I can't walk forever! I did break down and do an EPO vaginal suppository...

[audeesmom]

I am now 41.4 days past due. The midwife did a non stress test today...baby did great...and then went for an ultrasound which I opted out of at 20 weeks and again everything is good. Baby has to be here by Friday AM or it's off to the hospital for interventions! Has anyone gone past 2 weeks here? In the next 3 days I have accupuncture, stripping membranes again, blue/black cohosh(sp?) and finally castor oil to try, not to mention all the things at home...walking, nipple stimulation, etc. Any other ideas?

[reducereuserecycle]

I am officially 42 weeks now (if my due date was correct) I still feel baby moving a lot so I assume everything is ok. I hope this baby will be born soon. I feel fine, I am just tired of people acting like all baby's should be born right at 40 weeks.

[summerlilies]

I am 11 days over now too. I think Friday is my last day too Audeesmom before the birth center will not allow me to deliver there. I also had my NST and did fine and sono which showed some (normal) calcification of the placenta. There is still fluid. Basically everything is fine except I'm not sure if it is good to keep going and going and going. I really have NO sign of labor -- and this is my second. My first was born naturally 6 days overdue.

I am going to acupuncture tomorrow and I have also tried evening primose oil, walking, meditating, pineapple, spicy food. Membranes are being stripped tomorrow.

I am terrified of going to the hospital. I really am hoping for a natural delivery and a healthy baby. I can't imagine starting the cycle of intervention at the hospital -- pitocin, epidural, water breaking, failure to progress, c-sect. YUCK!!!! Plus, I will be referred to some random doctor that I have never met before!

Anyone here have a non-epidural birth while getting pitocin at the hospital??

I hope we all have our babies soon...

[Turkish Kate]

Originally Posted by summerlilies

Anyone here have a non-epidural birth while getting pitocin at the hospital??

Yes, and I don't recommend it. It was 13 years ago with DD, but I remember it like yesterday. Strapped to the monitor, not allowed to eat or drink or even get up to the bathroom, 14 hours of excruciating back labor then 4 hours of pushing--which started long before I was ready. Ain't doing that again.

FWIW--I wanted the epidural, but the anesthesiologist went on a 4 hour break. In retrospect, I'm glad that I didn't get it because now I know that I can handle anything, but at the time I could've killed him.

[Full Heart]

Originally Posted by audeesmom

I am now 41.4 days past due. The midwife did a non stress test today...baby did great...and then went for an ultrasound which I opted out of at 20 weeks and again everything is good. Baby has to be here by Friday AM or it's off to the hospital for interventions! Has anyone gone past 2 weeks here? In the next 3 days I have accupuncture, stripping membranes again, blue/black cohosh(sp?) and finally castor oil to try, not to mention all the things at home...walking, nipple stimulation, etc. Any other ideas?

I have gone to 42 weeks each and every time (looks like this time will be no different at 12 days past now). I would suggets avoiding doing castor oil unless its a last resort. Remember what you get with an induced labor - you get an induced labor. Its not fun.

And I understand the time factor (faced transfer every time so I really do understand), but remember you don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with. Even going off to the hospital for interventions.

[Arwyn]

Originally Posted by reducereuserecycle

I feel fine, I am just tired of people acting like all baby's should be born right at 40 weeks.

:

I do know women who have used Pitocin for induction without getting pain meds (and without regretting it!) - it depends in part on the levels of Pit used, on your coping mechanisms, etc. It's certainly worth trying.

[lunadoula]

I'm only 3 days past my EDD (which obviously we know is on target since we inseminated ) and today's the first day I feel antsy - I think b/c I'm not feeling that well. I had some pinkish mucous Sunday night and some brownish on Monday, and was awake much of Sunday night with mild contractions that were just annoying. Since then it's been back to not much going on regularly during the day, with crampy effacing-type contractions in the evening. I feel kind of nauseated though and that's weird for me. I'm just physically tired but naps don't seem to do much. Just trying to chill and relax as much as possible. Chiro appt. then midwife appt. tonight, and a massage tomorrow so that will be relaxing at least.

[LydiaJW]

ugh, my duedate is on Thursday, so I don't technically belong here yet, but to be honest I would be very surprised if I have the baby early, even on time! Beside BH every night, I feel great and normal and as if I could be pregnant forever. Tomorrow I have an OB appointment but I have to cancel since my kids are sick : I was hoping to get some encouragement (aka dilation progress!) but it looks like I'll just wait til I go to have the baby for that.