OK, I'm starting to go a little nuts

[njbeachgirl]

Please excuse the pity party... I know a lot of people have gone a lot longer than me! But today I'm 41w 1d and I was SO sure I'd have my baby by now.

It feels like the baby's birth is getting farther away, not closer. The birth pool and supplies have been set up for so long I don't even notice them anymore!

I feel like all these worries and paranoia are creeping in the longer I am pregnant, where I was so self assured and ready for labor and having another baby before.

On top of all that my midwives will need to transfer my care at 42 weeks so I'm on the clock.

That's it, just wanted to vent a little.

[Spark]

Oh, nj, you are doing SO SO SO well waiting. Really you are! Waiting is a challenge for sure!!!!

I do find that fears and paranoia creep in at different points during pregnancy & labor & that it's best to look them head on. Just really get in there & explore what you're afraid of -- whether it's fear of transferring or fear of whatever. What if this birth was longer and more painful than your first? What would you do?

I KNOW what you'd do. You got through your first labor and you'd get through this one, too. You have that in you. What if you're still pregnnt at 42 weeks? Yeah, it would suck, but what would be the worst that would happen? What would be the best outcome? Beyond what you are doing, is there really anything you could do to prevent or promote either outcome?

Just get right in there & look your fears straight in the face until you're released by their power.

[veganf]

I'm going nuts and I'm only 39 weeks! I don't even want to think about 41 weeks right now. But I was spoiled by my last baby arriving at 37 weeks and I feel like I somehow deserve that again and it's so hard to wait.
But it'll happen!!

[prothyraia]

[RubyOrganique]

Originally Posted by njbeachgirl

On top of all that my midwives will need to transfer my care at 42 weeks so I'm on the clock.

I totally get what you're going through. I'm only 40w 3d but I'm starting to get concerned as well. What I'm choosing is to stay present in the moment and visualize an easy, comfortable and quick birthing. I'm also doing my best to avoid getting sucked into "what if" thinking, anything negative, etc as I know this can only make the situation worse.

I know there are a few personal things that might be keeping me from giving in to labor - not sure if you've explored that for yourself or not, but that might be worth doing.

You have done so well this whole time. Take heart in all the excellent nurturing you've already given your baby. And keep seeing the ideal birth as clearly as possible. And be extra good to yourself.

Hang in there.

[mhaddon]

s I think the most frustrating part of going over is having everyone calling you and putting more pressure on you. Can you turn off your phone, or leave a message that says nope, you haven't had the baby you'll call them when you need them? I know my family didn't mean to but they put unneeded stress on me

[aprilsfools]

I totally know how you feel (I am 41 weeks 3 days) even though my MW doesn't routinely transfer care at 42 weeks, I am still tense.

All she does is start doing bi-weekly NSTs (not the u/s kind- just monitoring the heartrate), but the fact that an extra visit is needed a week (and I do agree that it is necessary) on top of the mental image of going past 42 weeks, other peoples concerns/fears about going past 42 weeks, worrying that my body does not know what it is doing, and just generally being sick of pregnancy, is starting to break down the calm that I had earlier in the week.

I have cried twice since last night and feel so tense right now...and then I stress because I know that that could delay labor even more.

Everyone keeps saying that I will go into labor when I let go- but I already did that earlier this week. I was really good from Monday-Thursday morning!! and then I got a couple of signs that labor might be coming and a bunch of annoying phone calls and here I am- the furthest I can be from being zen.

Anyway, like I said, I know how you feel. s

[JennaW]

I feel you Mama, I REALLY do. But like Spark said, it is really out of your hands.

Be good to yourself, I'm sure your baby will be here soon.

If you go past 42 weeks will your midwifes at least be your labor support (take on a doula type role) at the hospital?

[njbeachgirl]

Thanks for the kind words everyone It is great to know that I have you all to commisserate with.

Well I'm going to take advantage of my no-newborn-yet schedule and take a morning nap along with my DD. Rest is good, right!

[faerymom64]

I'm here with you too. I hope it helps you to know you're not alone in this frustration - this forum helps me with that every single day.

I'm only 40+2 but I also had my son at 38 and have been waiting for this babe's arrival for what seems like FOREVER. It's a daily struggle for me to not obsess over when is this baby coming out, and I lose it at some point every single day. I'm trying to stay as busy as possible - which for me is super challenging since I have severe SPD pain and afetr 30 minutes of movement I'm in terrible pain. So, I've been doing soduko puzzles, playing computer games and reading in an attempt to maintain my sanity by thinking of anything other than how badly I want this baby to be born.

I'm also starting to stress about the clock, but I keep trying to remind myself that my body knows what it's doing and all will happen in due course.

Hang in there, and know that we're all feeling this with you.

[huskermommy]

I'm almost to 39wks and while I'm not quite going nuts I did have a breakdown! I think whenever you get to the point of your pg where you expected the baby to be here and then you are STILL pg, it does something to your mind. I know you will get thru this mama!!

[yamilee21]

I hope so much that you will have your baby soon; it is so unfair that your midwives have to drop you because of an arbitrary time limit.

[finnegansmom]

I'm sorry, I know the last week or so is the worst. I'm "only" at 39w5d but I found out I was pregnant at 3w3d so it's been DRAGGING. I keep thinking, I could have 2 more weeks of this, and it sends me over the edge. I need some new hobbies to keep me busy.....

[delicious]

[njbeachgirl]

Originally Posted by finnegansmom

I'm sorry, I know the last week or so is the worst. I'm "only" at 39w5d but I found out I was pregnant at 3w3d so it's been DRAGGING. I keep thinking, I could have 2 more weeks of this, and it sends me over the edge. I need some new hobbies to keep me busy.....

Amen. I need a good book or 2. One can only read Spiritual Midwifery so many times. Maybe I will drag my lazy butt to the library!

[BetsyS]

I'm right there with you! I'm 40 weeks today, and I feel so anxious to see this baby! I went to 41 weeks with my first, and I never got this anxious crazyiness (that I can remember anyway). This time, I've listened to too many people that tell me their second babies have come early. Guess mine forgot to get that message. LOL

[mama to 2 girls]

's I soooo feel for you! I would have had to transfer care at 42 weeks also. Just try to relax and enjoy these last few days.....and may I suggest Reflexology if it get's down to the wire! I went and had it done at 4:00pm on Thursday afternoon and I was in labor by 6:00pm! I didn't even think it would work but it sure did!

Take care, you still have almost a whole week.