"Overdue" March Moms thread!

[nubianamy]

I thought we needed a little thread to give support to those who are being told they are "overdue" (over 40 weeks). Come commiserate with us! Is your doctor trying to talk you into an induction already? How is the NST going? Fluid levels good? Hang in there, March moms!

[InochiZo]

Thanks I need this!!!
I keep hoping I will wake up in labor and not just to another day.
I had Accupunture yesterday. No luck. I am using Evening Primrose Oil orally and Vaginally. I will have a c/s if no baby by Friday.

[honeybee]

Well, I'm 41 weeks, 2 days, but since I'm homebirthing, I don't have to worry about NSTs or induction, or any of that crap. So, I'm just kind of hanging back, waiting. Ds was born just shy of 42 weeks, so maybe that's just my pattern. I am getting really anxious for this baby to be born, though! I want to meet him/her! Dh says he thinks it will be tonight. I guess we'll see!

[honeybee]

Thanks I need this!!!
I keep hoping I will wake up in labor and not just to another day.
I had Accupunture yesterday. No luck. I am using Evening Primrose Oil orally and Vaginally. I will have a c/s if no baby by Friday.

Here's sending you lots of labor dust! :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust

[hypnohobbit]

Hello Overdue Mamas!!!

It is my official due date today March 11, 2006. I guess I am early to join the club but I am not in labor now so I guess I will be overdue soon. Original due date according to LMP was Feb. 24., so I kinda feel overcooked! U/S pushed due date back to today. MW stripped membranes last birth which started labor 11 hours later. Really looking forward to a spontaneous labor this time around!

Good Luck, Congratulations, and here's to wonderful, gentle, natural births!!!:champagne

Blessings,
-Cherie

[hypnohobbit]

Oh, yeah, Lol, I keep hearing that ketchup+macaroni=labor, anyone try this strategy???

[lilsishomemade]

I was due the third, so I'm what, eight days over? Had my first bpp yesterday, LOTS of fluid, the tech told my mw to stand back when my water breaks :lol She's scheduled an induction for Friday, and we're hoping I go into labor before then. I whipped out the cohosh last night and tried some nipple stim (I'm really uncomfortable, baby's head is at '0' station, and causing all kinds of pain) last night, until I got a headache, and decided to ease up a bit. Didn't even start ctx's. Right now, it's hard not to get too down about it, but I know that I need to relax and trust my body and baby...

It is hard to see all the birth stories, though. As extremely happy as I am for those mamas, right now, I just can't read them :( I'll be rejoicing soon, though, I know!

[hypnohobbit]

Oh, yeah, Lol, I keep hearing that ketchup+macaroni=labor, anyone try this strategy???

[InochiZo]

Ketchup and Macaroni would probably make me puke. It sounds worse than Castor oil. I can't stand the smell of ketchup probably old reminder of when I used to waitress and had to combine ketchup bottles. I can eat it on a hamburger I buy but I wouldn't actually put it on myself. No thanks, I'll stick with the current methods.

[Mallory]

I was due on the 8th. I have a midwife who isn't too hung up on dates and if I am still pregnant on the 22nd (yikes, I hope it isn't that long) then she will want a stress test, , fluid levels, ect, but still won't be pushing an induction.

But since my first was born on his due date and with my second labor started on his due date (but he was born the next day), I am having a very hard time being paitent. I thought I had babies on my due date:lol

Come on out little one, please:wink

[lynn-e-pooh]

I was due on the 7th. I am trying not to dwell on the date, but I am feeling soooooo HUGE and cranky. I think mostly right now I wish I didn't have to continue working. It's a financial issue with us, so I am trying to hold on until I go into labor. But it's over 90 degrees here and everything I do seems to push me to overexertion and my ankles are swollen beyond recognition.

I was induced with DS and hoping not to have to endure that again. I was so sure this one would be born a little early. My OB wants to do a NST on Monday. She knows where I stand on induction so she hasn't really done anything but mention that we might have to consider it. She did say she didn't think I would make it to next Friday without going into labor. I sure hope she's right, but I can't imagine it's anymore than a guess. Oh, well...

[allismom]

Hope you don't mind me joining in.........my due date isn't for another 10 days. DD was born 3 weeks early after premature labor and bedrest. At 32 weeks this baby showed the same signs. You do everything in your power to keep them in and 'cooked' and then when they can come, they don't! Three weeks ago my midwife said I was 3cm dilated and 80% effaced and I'd go by that weekend........nothing since. So I was mentally prepared and now I FEEL like I am 3 weeks late. So for that reason I find this thread more comforting than reading about all the births right now. I thought second babies came sooner than the first ones! I am just uncomfortable and ready!

[nubianamy]

Oh, Lynne, I'm sorry you have to keep working! :( I can't imagine standing on these ankles. My friend who had a baby last year calls them "baby seal feet." :lol

I'm trying to be really laid back about this whole thing. I'm doing parallel care with the nurse-midwives and they will do a NST on Wednesday if I haven't gone into labor yet (41 weeks), but they know I won't even want to talk induction until 42 weeks. My homebirth mw will do her NST at 42 weeks. We'll just keep an eye out.

Meanwhile, she is SO low, it's amazing. I am feeling spacier every day! :nut My parents and mil are here and they are really helping get our little condo into shape. Today mil and Tom unpacked all the boxes in his office and I put books away while my folks put together the co-sleeper. More to do tomorrow! Maybe she's just not coming until we're completely settled. :)

[JillChristina]

My due date was the 5th and I'm still here w/no baby. However, I'm feeling great and have a pretty good attitude at this point. I was kind of cranky for a couple of days but now I'm just SO over it! I'd love it if she came this weekend but am trying not to obsess over it.

I have an NST and regular mw visit scheduled for Tuesday. She told me last week that if baby isn't here by the end of this coming week, they'll schedule another NST, ultrasound, and induction for 41w6d (which according to them is 3/18). I am really praying that I don't get to that point because I really don't want to be induced. I'm just trying not to focus on that until I need to.

Major patience and labor dust to us all! :)

Jill

[honeybee]

Here's sending everyone a little more labor dust. :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust :dust So far, the only natural induction method I've tried is DTD. That wasn't too long ago, so we'll have to wait a bit and see how that works out. I may agree to have my membranes stripped at my mw appt on Tuesday if nothing else has happened y then. I don't think I'll get to the black cohosh or castor oil (ick) stage until at least after 42 weeks (this Friday).

Since I've been in many of your positions, before, I hope you don't mind if I share my experience. If you're a veteran who already knows all this stuff, just skip it!

Just a reminder to everyone that you don't HAVE to be induced just because your doctor reccommends it. It is your choice and your decision. I really don't understand why docs are so hell bent on inducing before you even reach 42 weeks. Why do they bother doing NSTs and BPPs if they don't look at the results (ie scheduling a NST and induction for the same day)? I know last time, with ds, I had another NST/BPP scheduled for 42 weeks, 1 day after which my doctor and I were going to "talk." I was planning on still refusing an induction after that point if the tests were all positive. (Ds was born just shy of 42 weeks, 8 lbs. 2 oz. with no signs of being post dates.)

Now, I did believe that ds's date was wrong to begin with, and that I wasn't really even at 42 weeks yet, which influenced my decision. I was also having a healthy pg without any bp issues. Knowing that a first time mom's AVERAGE gestation time is 41.5 weeks was a big factor, too. I also did a lot of reasearch into the rationale behind inducing due to post dates. If you can get ahold of Henci Goer's book The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, I would really recommend reading the chapter about post dates inductions. It includes a summary of the research that docs are basing the induction decision on, as well as her examination of the data. There are valid arguments to both sides. I think if you do decide to be induced, it's better to understand why it's necessary and be fully on board with the idea that it's the best choice for you.

There are also things you can do to help make an induction a better experience, and even go med-free if that's important to you. It's a good idea to discuss an induction plan. Will you use a cervical ripener and see what happens before trying pit? Can you go on a low dose of pit and then turn it off once contractions have started? Will you let them break your water? (breaking your water puts you on the clock). Will you be able to still get up out of bed, or labor on hands/knees on the bed, etc.? I'm sure you can get some links to references for different induction options from the Birth and Beyond forum here.

Just my 0.02! Good luck, everybody!

[InochiZo]

Well, I got call from my MW this evening. She had to call to tell me that she doesn't feel comfortable letting me go past Wed., which will be 41 weeks. Mainly because she feels a lot of pressure from the community since I am a VBAC breech birth. I feel fine going till next Monday. However, I will do accupunture at least 2 more times if need be. On Friday, either way, I'll have to have a BPP. She is still trying to be very positive about my ability to have a vaginal birth but she had to let me know how she is feeling. I keep hoping every night I go to bed that I will wake up in labor.
Here's more labor dust to everyone.
:dust :dust :dust :dust :dust

[InochiZo]

Labor dust must working. I think it's started!!!

[honeybee]

Labor dust must working. I think it's started!!!

Yeah!

[nubianamy]

Hey, that's great, InochiZo!

Still nothing here. Today is 40 weeks, 4 days. Still keeping busy.

[JillChristina]

Nothing here either. 41w1d. Ugh.

I had a bad day yesterday. I was just depressed out of nowhere. Crying, grumpy, and really wanting to have this baby. I feel ok physically but emotionally, yesterday was hard for some reason. Hopefully today will be better.

I have a NST and mw check-up scheduled for tomorrow morning. I REALLY don't want to go. I'm sick of going for check-ups. But at least my neighbor offered to watch Kylie for me so I don't have to worry about entertaining her for two hours.

Hope you all have a great Monday! And I hope we get a happy birth report from InochiZo soon! :)

Jill

[lilsishomemade]

oh, it's been hard on me emotionally, also, Jill! I've been crying and grumpy a lot lately. Today I'm 10 days past my due date, which is when I went into labor with my first. I'm not feeling anything at all, and even though when I'm sensible, I know my body knows what it's doing, right now it's hard not to think I'm "broken" or something :(

[jessiemom]

:grouphug to everyone who is still waiting!! I am not quite there yet but I know I will be. Dd and ds were both almost 42 weeks when they were born so this time I refuse to allow myself to think that this baby may be on time. The waiting is so hard especially when everyone keeps asking you when the baby will be born and so on... My doctor, thankfully, is pretty relaxed and will give me a few extra days if 10 days past due comes and goes and there is no baby. Funny enough both my kids were born without induction on the day I was scheduled to be induced so I told my doctor that maybe she needs to threaten to induce me this time and then the baby will come on it's own.

Jessie

[Ell-Bell]

Hi All! I haven't been around much lately cause we just moved in to our new house last week and it has been crazy getting settled! We finally are pretty well unpacked, but haven't got DSL yet... makes getting online tough. Using dial up for now. blech!

Anyhow, Our first due date was March 8, but based on ovulation our homebirth midwife changed it to the 16th. That's tomorrow. For the past 2 months I've been stressing about whether or not we would be moved in by the time baby arrives. Now we are, and I'm trying to tell baby that it's ok for her (or him) to come out now!

I am feeling great physically and emotionally... I'm just excited to experience birth and to meet this little being that I've been carrying around. I hope it happens soon! We ahve an appt. with our MW tonight and I will ask her when she would feel the need to do more tests, etc. if baby doesn't come soon. The whole switching the due dates threw me off.

So, have any of you been having any symptoms of impending birth? I have had more discharge- a bit watery. Not sure if that is a sign or not. Also more cramp like abdominal pains, but not regularly. I wish I had something obvious, like blody show, or something! Even though I know that doesn't necissarily mean labor will start right away, it feels strange to think that I could be cruising along feeling fine and then *wham* labor starts. I keep thinking there will be a sign.

I am planning on having a game night this weekend if baby doesn't come along by then. SOMETHING to keep my mind off waiting for labor to start!

[hypnohobbit]

40 weeks 4 days and counting! Went into labor this morning, 1 min. long contractions, 3-5 min. apart, and then labor just fizzled out!!!

Blessings,
-Cherie

[stockingup99]

Delurking, not due. Just browsing, and I wanted to add my support.

I was induced once three weeks early, I was twelve days late once, I was on time once. It is so much easier caring for a baby who comes out under its own power.

My second baby kicked off my rib cage, and came splooshing out 15 minutes after I came throught the front door of the hospital. The previous day, they said break your water or you go home. I went home, and ordered a pizza, and had a good nights rest.

Take back your birth rights. Nowadays doctors think an 8 pound baby is big. No one stays pregnant forever. Without induction data shows 42 weeks is normal for a first time mom.

For you first time moms, please don't read any of the free helpful breastfeeding advice provided by the formula companies. It is woefully misleading. Just expect to be nursing for about a month solid, put your feet up and rest. If you keep the baby to breast, it will have plenty. Be vigilent to keep formula away from the baby, if you go to a hospital.


Kudos to You - the few and the proud, those who stick with it and wait for baby to be ready.

:Hug :twothumbs :jumpers: :fence: :birthday:

[Daisie125]

Even though I know that doesn't necissarily mean labor will start right away, it feels strange to think that I could be cruising along feeling fine and then *wham* labor starts. I keep thinking there will be a sign.

:lol It really can happen like that! With my DD I had no signs at all, no bloody show, no extra BH, nothing. I was sitting there eating dinner, and was like "Hey! I think that was a contraction" about 8 minutes later "Yep, definatly a contraction". My DD was born the next morning! (What a shock when you are expecting all those labor signs they tell you about in books!)

[nubianamy]

All your stories are so inspiring, ladies! Thanks for encouraging us.

Everybody, repeat after me:
There is nothing wrong here.
There is nothing wrong here.
There is nothing wrong here... :D

Now go read some more Henci Goer! http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/0,,jb56,00.html

[nubianamy]

I had a NST yesterday at the hospital (I'm planning a homebirth, but doing parallel care with local nurse midwives). My homebirth mw won't want to do a NST until 42 weeks, but I'm trying to follow both protocols without compromising anything. My mom and my MIL came with me -- they were such pests to the nurses! :)

I didn't have to get undressed. The nurse did a long ultrasound first. This was my second ultrasound, so it was interesting to watch. She confirmed the baby's position (head waaay down in my pelvis, nicely LOA) and measured pockets of fluid to make sure I have enough (yes, with some to spare -- even more than I had for the external version 2 weeks previously! Yay, nat muir works!). She tried to get a nice picture for me but was only able to print out a pic of her foot. I can't say it looks much like a foot to me! :lol

Then she hooked me up to the EFM and took a 20 minute strip of her heartbeat and my contractions. I fell asleep. :) She's plenty reactive, so no worries there.

They *didn't* check the placenta for degradation, or tell me the baby's size, which surprised me.

Then the NMW came in and tried to tell me I needed to come in on Friday for another NST -- two days later! No way, I said. How about Monday? She reluctantly agreed, after making me promise I would call if there was any change in the baby's activity. Considering how much kicking she is still doing every day, I think I'll be able to tell that.

That was about it. I am scheduled for an induction next week, but I doubt I'll be going in for it. I'm having a few more BH's every day, and keeping busy. She'll come out when she's ready!

[Tine]

Maggi, you're an inspiration. Every time I read one of your posts, I have to remind myself that this is your first baby. Your trust in your body and baby and your calm, intelligent way of dealing with people and facts is a great example for me.

You go, girl! :thumb

[JillChristina]

Well, my ultrasound and NST went great today. Baby's doing well and I have plenty of fluid. So I told the mw that I want to postpone my induction until at least Monday (the day they say I am 42 weeks). It was/is scheduled for Saturday but I'm calling in tomorrow to tell the on-call mw that I won't be showing up on Saturday. The mw also stretched my cervix to 3 cm while checking me (with my blessing). I am praying that this sends me into labor. I DO NOT want to be induced. I'm hoping this compromise of putting off the induction and stretching of my cervix will be what is needed to send my baby the message to come. :) I want to meet her!!

Jill

[allismom]

Here's a question.........my original due date based on LMP was March 26th. At 7 weeks I had an ultrasound for some bleeding I had. That ultrasound changed my due date to March 21st, a week sooner.
Which is more accurate?

[nubianamy]

Maggi, you're an inspiration. Every time I read one of your posts, I have to remind myself that this is your first baby. Your trust in your body and baby and your calm, intelligent way of dealing with people and facts is a great example for me.Thank you, Tine! :) I'm channeling my doula energy! It's been years but I still love that birth energy.

[nubianamy]

Jill, good for you for putting off your induction. If the baby is doing well, you are better off waiting -- induction carries risks too! Meanwhile, here's some labor dust for you to have that little girl before Monday:
:dust :dust :dust

Shari, what I've read indicates that dating by US is not as accurate as LMP, though an earlier US is more accurate than a later one.

My guru Henci Goer writes:
<i>"Even first-trimester sonograms have a range of plus or minus five days, or a ten-day window, around the calculated date. The range increases to plus or minus eight days in the second trimester and plus or minus ten days for third-trimester scans. For this reason, experts say the due date should not be altered based on results from an early scan unless the calculated date differs by two weeks or more from the date determined by physical signs and symptoms and menstrual history."</i>
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/0,,jb56,00.html

So if your period is fairly regular, I'd go with that date. Anyway, it may be a moot point -- you could deliver any time now! :)

[jessiemom]

Just thought I'd bump this post up because as of midnight tonight I will be 40w1d pregnant. Anyone else out there overdue?......I half hoped, half highly doubted that this baby would be on time and I guess I was right that history would repeat itself and I would be waiting once again. Anyone?....

Jessie

[blackberrymama]

I'm 40w1d too and everything seems like a sign of labor at this point. I don't know how I'm going to survive if I have to wait another two weeks! I'm trying for a VBAC so I'm nervous about doing anything to try to bring on labor for fear that some part of my birthing stuff won't be ready and I'll wind up with another cesarean, but if my lack of patience today is going to be any indication, it's going to be hard to stick to that!

[ssolberg99]

I'm 40w 3d and am calm about this one coming on her own. DS was 9d late, so I mentally prepared for this from the beginning. Dr., to my suprise, didn't request an NST yet (w/DS I had one the day after I was due) and has said nothing on induction...I won't argue!

[ellie_may12]

Looks like I'm joining the "Better Late than Never" Club! :lol

EDD is today. I have a sono and NST tomorrow to make sure my girl is still behaving herself. I can tell you from the bladder punches and pelvic kicks she is giving me that she is fine!

I have tried to swap providers, but the midwives can't take me because I'm considered high risk.

DH and I have decided not to schedule a c-section and to just let nature take it's course. We feel like as long as she comes by 42 weeks we are fine. If I go into labor, I will be going to the hospital anyway, so if for some reason she is too big to give birth to like the dr swears is going to happen, they can do a section at that point. As long as she is healthy, we are going to wait it out.

Everybody, repeat after me:
There is nothing wrong here.
There is nothing wrong here.
There is nothing wrong here...

[nubianamy]

You have lots of time, Lori Ann. I am so glad I waited (there really wasn't a question for me, as I knew most first time moms go at least 8 days over). As it is I went to 10 days over -- only 2 days later than "average!" :lol I've never felt so normal in my life. :)

[ellie_may12]

Thanks, Maggi! My fluid level was 7 today and the dr is really pushing for a c/s. I'm going to hold out as long as she is doing well.