Patience and in absence of that passing time ...

[srlpenny]

I am not a patient woman, I am 100% certain of that. I am 28, have been married for 6 years and expecting my fifth child need any more evidence??
Anyways I have not yet in 4 births gone into labor on my own, dd1 I had at 42 weeks after my membranes were stripped, ds I took castor oil at 39 wks partially because I couldn't stand being pregnant anymore (dd1 and ds are only 11m apart) and partially because I did not want to face induction with pit in the coming week/2 weeks, dd2 was 42 weeks after failed castor oil, stripped membranes, etc. I ended up checked in for a pit induction at which time they saw I was 4cm dilated (with not one contraction I had noticed btw) and just broke my water instead, dd3 was 39 weeks w/ castor oil in order to have someone around to care for the other kids and to avoid the pit.
Sorry for the background, but I think it contributes to where I am now...38 wks pregnant today, and awaiting my first homebirth. This time there is no reason to be anxious. My MWs will not hook me up to pit next week in order to be more convenient. I have a childcare doula and loving friends available to care for the older children whenever I need them. No reason to feel the need to rush this baby at all. I have felt so at peace with this, knowing 39, 40, 41, 42 wks ...whatever, it's okay.
That was until the last couple days, now I'm done...I'm tired...I'm cranky...I want to hold a newborn not fight back stomach acid anymore. I look at the birth pool, birth kit, childcare doula instruction list all ready by now "just in case" everyday, and it serves only as a reminder that I AM STILL PREGNANT.
Now I'm not running out to Eckerd to get the castor oil, or doing anything crazy like that. I fully acknowledge in my rational mind that this baby will most likely need to cook for several more weeks before he is ready to appear.
But how do I keep myself from going crazy in the meantime? For all of you abundantly patient mamas out there, do you have any tricks to offer me? Even just something to do to pass the days in peace? (that won't exhaust me..remember I am still chasing 4 kids all day).
Thanks for any advice you can offer ... or if none just for letting me vent, I know its ridiculous at 38 wks to be whining already.

[dogmom327]

I had a couple of mantras (stolen from the Hyponobabies classes, people on here, etc.) that I repeated to myself whenever I had a thought that I wish he'd come:

1. My baby knows when to be born and I will be patient. (patience isn't my strong point either )

2. When to make his entrance is the first decision my baby get to make and I won't take that away from him

3. My baby and my body know things I do not. No matter how impatient I am, there is likely a very good reason I am still pregnant.

I don't have any "staying busy ideas" except maybe start a project that will take you a few weeks that is specifically for the baby (crochet a special baby blanket, etc.). But seriously...four kids in six years...something tells me you are plenty busy I admire your stamina!

Hope that helps

[SusannahM]

Start on a project that you'd like to get finished before the baby comes (anything - crocheting, sewing, cleaning, whatever as long as it's going to take a long while to finish). Your nesting instinct will kick in and you'll really *want* to finish that project before the baby comes. So, it will make you want the baby to stay put for a while to give you some time to finish. Has worked for me. Of course, then I go into denial about labor because my project still isn't finished

[ColwynsMommy]

Originally Posted by dogmom327

1. My baby knows when to be born and I will be patient. (patience isn't my strong point either )

I *love* this affirmation. I was actually just talking to my midwife about it, because patience is really not my strong point. I think they actually say 'lovingly patient' which I think is a great reminder that being patient is a way of loving and honoring the baby. I zone out during a lot of the affirmations on Hypnobabies, but I *always* hear this one, and I'm not even 30 weeks yet.

ETA: Oops, forgot to give suggestions! What about getting a couple of great 'escape' books? Probably not too feasible during the day, but it might help during your downtime to have something that you want to finish (because I'm so not the crafty type, no knitting or crocheting for me). Or plan to have friends over on a bunch of days.. you'll be busy cleaning the day before, and busy entertaining the day of. I also tried to do a bunch of things that were for me, that I definitely wouldn't have time for once the baby was born.

[Iowahomeschooler]

Even though my babies have all been early (10 days, 15 days, and 12 days) I also struggle with impatience. Try scheduling a couple of outings over the next couple of weeks that you can look forward to. Something like lunch with a friend or relative (on a Saturday or sometime when your dh can keep the kids for a couple of hours). These types of things can always be broken if you get lucky and go into labor, but it also gives you something to look forward to. I know that I also feel like I have to work to get my babies to decide to come out. This pregnancy, I plan to schedule really great things toward the end that I will be disappointed if I have to miss them (like a massage, a shopping trip, a hair cut, a date with dh, etc...).

Also, try to find things in your life that you know will happen AFTER the baby is born. For instance, I loved it when I started clipping coupons that didn't expire until a month after my due date. Or when I bought food that didn't expire until well after my due date. I could always think, "Well, that yogurt will be good until after the baby comes!" So silly, I know, but it helps to put time into perspective. You're 38 weeks now, so anything happening 4 or 5 weeks from now ought to be AFTER the baby arrives. This baby will be here before Mother's Day!

Take care,
Tara

[spamama]

I can totally understand the feelings of impatience. I started having early contractions mixed with strong BH at around 34 weeks. I kept thinking "I'll be early" and was so relieved when at 36 weeks I got the "all clear" from my MWs. Just when I had started to relax and not worry about the timing, my water broke at 37w, 3d. The way I "let go" was to concentrate on my older two kids -- mostly my daughter, since she's only in preschool two mornings a week, while my son is in full-day kindergarten. I made sure to play, read, talk, cuddle and enjoy having "just" her those last few days before the baby arrived. I'm glad I did, since I now have to focus so much on her baby brother.

I suggest finding a way to enjoy having "just" (ha!) four kids -- do something extra special with each of them; get big brother/sister presents ready for them. Take them on a fun (but not exhausting) outing, etc. Just my two cents!

Relax, and before you know it, your latest bambino will be here!