The waiting game

[hermanasista]

I'm awaiting the arrival of my first child, whose "due date" was last week (the 27th or 28th, depending on which data you crunch: LMP or DOC). Because I'm planning a home birth, my MW is being super laid-back (as she should be!), assuring me that babies aren't technically late until 42 weeks, so it's really not a big deal that my labor hasn't started yet.
Intellectually I completely understand that, but am emotionally struggling to just patiently wait for this baby to make its big debut!! I think this is compounded by the fact that everyone around me, friends and family, are bombarding me with "any news yet?" voicemail and text msgs (I've been screening big time to protect myself), most likely due to the fact that most women who birth with OBs in hospitals would have already been coaxed into induction by now (I'm assuming, at least).

Anyway...just seeking some commiseration and perhaps some good advice about how to pass the time while waiting for labor to begin!

[mrs.yd]

Originally Posted by hermanasista

I'm awaiting the arrival of my first child, whose "due date" was last week (the 27th or 28th, depending on which data you crunch: LMP or DOC). Because I'm planning a home birth, my MW is being super laid-back (as she should be!), assuring me that babies aren't technically late until 42 weeks, so it's really not a big deal that my labor hasn't started yet.
Intellectually I completely understand that, but am emotionally struggling to just patiently wait for this baby to make its big debut!! I think this is compounded by the fact that everyone around me, friends and family, are bombarding me with "any news yet?" voicemail and text msgs (I've been screening big time to protect myself), most likely due to the fact that most women who birth with OBs in hospitals would have already been coaxed into induction by now (I'm assuming, at least).

Anyway...just seeking some commiseration and perhaps some good advice about how to pass the time while waiting for labor to begin!

Congratuations!

I'm waiting for the arrival of my 4th, so I'm in the same boat as you.
I always plan a "labor project" for me to work on while I'm awaiting labor. This time I'm practicing the piano for a wedding I"m going to play at in July. I'm also working on organizing my music collection. I wanted to be putting together a recipe binder thing to help me keep my recipes organized, but I didn't get the supplies together for that yet. If baby waits much longer, I might get to do that too. With the first and second babies I made a quilt. With the third I scrapbooked. Oh this time I've also put together address lists and made address labels and done some other things like that.
So my advice is - pick a project to work on. That way, when labor starts, you can work on that until the contractions get so strong that you can't do it anymore. Then you'll know that labor has really progressed to the serious phase.
The thing I always say is- until it's all you can think about (meaning the contractions are really strong) don't think about it. You will drive yourself crazy and wear yourself out.
Oh- since this is your first you should definitely be going out to dinner every night this week and go to movies too. Get your hair cut too. It's harder to do those things with a newborn.

It is nice in one way that people are calling to see how you're doing. It was like that with my first too. With the fourth, nobody calls. I feel a little lonely to tell the truth. I guess it has it's good side though.

[Roriesmama]

Originally Posted by hermanasista

I'm awaiting the arrival of my first child, whose "due date" was last week (the 27th or 28th, depending on which data you crunch: LMP or DOC). Because I'm planning a home birth, my MW is being super laid-back (as she should be!), assuring me that babies aren't technically late until 42 weeks, so it's really not a big deal that my labor hasn't started yet.
Intellectually I completely understand that, but am emotionally struggling to just patiently wait for this baby to make its big debut!! I think this is compounded by the fact that everyone around me, friends and family, are bombarding me with "any news yet?" voicemail and text msgs (I've been screening big time to protect myself), most likely due to the fact that most women who birth with OBs in hospitals would have already been coaxed into induction by now (I'm assuming, at least).

Anyway...just seeking some commiseration and perhaps some good advice about how to pass the time while waiting for labor to begin!

LOL Did I write this post?? I was also due on May 28th and I am still very preggo But as my midwife says... Babies ALWAYS come out, I am starting to not believe her lol!.


I have found that making plans daily with friends, my sister and my Mom has helped SOOOO much. For two weeks I just sat at home waiting... and waiting. Ugh it was awful. Now I am getting on with my life, I even went out of otwn to a hotel with my hubby! It was great to take my kido swimming and eat out.

Today we spent the day at a fountain with friends playing in it. It has been so much better then sitting at home waiting.

So my advice is to keep busy and that babies always come out... or so they say.

[slave2myprincess]

i actually had my dd early which i knew was going to happen but my cousin had her son at 42 weeks. I remember giving her tips to pass the time.....

1. Make sure you have everything you need and want for the baby for his/her arrival !

2. Make sure you have all your supplies for your homebirth

3. i've heard of alot of woman making and freezing food so that they do not have to worry about cooking after the baby arrives .

4. Rent or buy some movies you wanted to see (books or music).

5. Maybe treat yourself to a movie or Dinner.

6. Maybe you could work on some kind of arts and crafts (sewing).

Hope that helps !!

[ColoradoMama]

Originally Posted by Roriesmama

LOL Did I write this post?? I was also due on May 28th and I am still very preggo But as my midwife says... Babies ALWAYS come out, I am starting to not believe her lol!.

I have a very vivid memory of being overdue with #3. The day before I had her I told my friend, "GAWD - I am going to be pregnant FOREVER!" I went into labor 12 hours later.

[Xenopus]

Hi Mama,

I went to 41 W 6 D with DD. She decided to come on her own, with no induction of any kind. I got pretty cranky on the last few days before - which is obvious to me now but wasn't then. Hang in there, as long as everything seems to be going ok.

You have gotten some nice replies on what to do before baby arrives. I would add - that I stopped answering the phone or txt messages, I got sick of saying "Nope, nothing yet." the last thing you need is more irritation!

I only talk to the folks I wanted to talk to, on those last days. I look forward to hearing of a safe and healthy birth soon.

love,
Xen (who has to wait for 8 more weeks to see DS)

[hermanasista]

Thanks for all the great ideas for passing the time. I really should be coming up with a labor project to keep me occupied. It's funny--even though I'm on maternity leave from my job in education, I do still have some tasks I could be doing for school...I'm just having a lot of trouble finding the motivation. I like the idea of working on something that I want to do, instead of something I feel obligated to do. It's too easy to find distractions from the latter.

For the other mamas-in-waiting...I'm with you in solidarity! Roriesmama, I keep telling myself exactly what your MW keeps reminding you: babies always come out! I just with the LO would believe that too!

[slave2myprincess]

oh i just wanted to add when my friends kept texting me and asking if i had the baby yet i told them i would call when they baby got here lol

[SublimeBirthGirl]

My first came 11 days past her due date. Just ignore everyone. This baby knows when to come Send a mass email that you'd appreciate everyone not bug you (only nicer) and that you're going to be out of communication for a bit since they keep harassing you

[hermanasista]

Just wanted to add that this site (along with all of your helpful posts!) has helped calm me down considerably. (According to the Mittendorf-Williams calculator, my due date is tomorrow-not last Tuesday!)
It's funny...I was talking to a friend of mine who was pointing out that if "most first babies are late," then doesn't that mean that most first babies are really on time? Sometimes I feel like I'm living in a crazy world. Thank goodness for midwives, evidence-based birth practices, and Mothering.com.

[calpurnia]

I'm waiting too! I'm 41 w 6 d with my first. I was going a little crazy the past few days but feeling much better the busier I keep. I've gone into hibernation with regards to responding to people - I love that they care & are interested, but I can't keep going over the same no baby news all the time!

I had to go see my midwives' back up ob today (I'm in the UK on the NHS) which I was worried about, but he was v supportive & basically said everything looks fine & there is no reason to interfere with homebirth plans, but we will have to re-asses at 43 weeks. Hopefully I won't 'get that far!

I've found it helpful to have something to do - someone to see or a litle project - each day that makes me feel like I'm doing more with my time than waiting around. I hate feeling unproductive.