40 weeks plus 4 days and counting: anyone else overdue or have any ideas?

[jbakedbean]

I'm 40 weeks plus 4 days, feel like i have more energy than ever, happily filling my days with friends, shopping and cooking, almost like I'm not pregnant, my partner thinks i am mad as I have so much energy and seem to need little sleep. I have mild braxton hicks I think but other than that no sign of the baby coming along:

If anyone has any stories as to whether labour can completely start out of the blue or whether I'll start to slow down any advice would be wonderful. First pregnancy.

Oh and before it is suggested no matter how much I beg my partner won't have sex with me.

Thanks

[reikizen]

Sex is good because it contains prostaglandins (the same stuff in the prostin gell they would give you if you went in to be induced) and because it releases the 'love hormone' oxytocin which is the same stuff they would give you in a drip if your labour had to be induced or augmented. So it's all good. And surprisingly good fun if taken in the right way. Labour can of course start out of the blue, but bear in mind that first labours tend to be drawn out affairs and you will be very tired afterwards so rest when you feel like it. A burst of energy at this stage is not uncommon I don't think, some people refer to it as 'nesting'. I had that with dd1 but didn't labour spontaneously. Was bloody shattered with dd2, took castor oil to start labour off (no way was I going into hospital again!)and was 3 hrs from first twinge to baby in arms. Good luck!

[mumof3tobe]

For my first and second DC I was on the move all day and that night I went into Labour. I was on time.
With DS I my Mum hurt her back and she runs a B & B so she managed to cook the breakfast but couldn't make the beds or hover. So I stripped and made about 3 double beds, Hovered all the rooms and cleaned all the bathrooms. This was all before lunch. I had SDP so I have no idea how I managed, probably just an energy spurt and mum was alway's helping me out so felt I had to help her in her time of need.

Then with DD it was Christmas Eve and I was rushing in and out the car finding last minute Ingredients and getting organised for Christmas day. DD was born on Christmas day and if I knew I was going into labour that night I woudn't have done so much.

Oh and I practically begged DH to have sex but he woudn't beyond about 7 months.

[jbakedbean]

mumof3tobe thanks, I also managed to get my wicked way with my partner up until about 7.5 months but since he has flat down refused, I also read that taking the errmm specimen orally is more efficient than sex, but he still refuses that: and he calls himself a man!!!

I'm glad I'm not the only one with the ability to be running around happily and oblivious to any onset. I have SPD and must say it is very unpleasant but it seems to have calmed since the heads engaged.

Thanks for the support, reikizen I think I'll give it until 7 days over and then try the castor oil, worth a go even if it does cause a bit of nausea,

thanks again x

[reikizen]

Just a warning about the castor oil. It isn't for the faint hearted! It is almost impossible to force down (mix with orange juice) and although it didn't in my case, it causes the violent runs! And don't forget that any attempt to force your body into labour may have harmful consequences so make sure you know all the risks beforehand (that's the student midwife in me talking!)

[withwomanmidwife]

Please don't try the castor oil girls....it really isn't a good idea. Fresh pineapple is far nicer.
As for sex, those labour hormones can be brought on by kissing and caressing if you are not up to full blown sex. Once in labour, being close to your partner really can help!

[BabyBaby123]

don't do the castor oil! the last thing you want is the runs as you are pushing your baby out. And it can cause the baby to become distressed and pass meconium (sp?) not a good idea.

Loads of raspberry leaf tea, fresh pineapple, and orgasms are good - I too can not tempt my partner at all (glad it's not just me!) but an orgasm on your own might have the same effect as sometimes that can set off contractions.

Good Luck

[MissTFied]

Hi,

41 + 1 here. Had two sweeps and have been making DP do his bedroom duty too (last night and this am!)

I have to get this baby out before induction date which is booked for next Tues.

[Funnybunnyyumyum]

I'm 40+4 today too. Sweeps booked for Friday and Monday and then induction on Wednesday. Don't mind the sweeps but desperate to avoid induction. Drinking raspberry leaf tea. Will buy a pineapple tomorrow. Can't be arsed to have sex but might have to change my mind on that one! Just interested to know the reasons your men won't have sex?

[jbakedbean]

ok, i'll avoid the castor oil, thanks for the warning, but i've read up on pineapple and apparently you have to eat 7 of them to have an effect.

my man won't have sex as he is repulsed, kid you not, by the idea of having sex with a baby so close. for any sort of cuddle or affection i have to seek it out myself and then it is only a pathetic attempt. It's not just the sex missing but any sort of intimacy at all, it has got to the point where i feel better when he is out of the house as i feel less lonely when he's not with me as he's about as supportive as an elastic walking stick.

At least when he is out of the house I can try a little orgasmic self help, although it hasn't worked as yet it still puts a smile on my face.

Is it odd that my midwife has only booked my first sweep for 41+3 days? and i won't have seen a midwife since 39+3 days. seems a little odd to be going so far over with so little support? or is this just me being a worrier?

really appreciate all the input

[Funnybunnyyumyum]

Jbakedbean - yes, 41+3 is late to try a sweep for the first time. My midwife says that they are all trying to do sweeps now at 7 days overdue to try to get more accurate data as to how effective they are so that they can compare, but i guess maybe that's just my area. I would nag them to do it sooner. Hmm, about the pineapple, I bought one today. Don't think I can face another 6!

[MissTFied]

It's funny, I was getting really het up at around 5 days over, but now I'm 9 over, I have found myself starting to accept it a bit more.

Maybe it's because I KNOW the baby will be out tomorrow as it's a full moon! (As on an earlier thread today).

Still persevering with the sex too - this am and hopefully tonight. Oh the poor men being used!

[reikizen]

In our trust we see women at 38 weeks, 40 weeks, offer a membrane sweep at 41 weeks and offer induction of labour at term+10. Don't forget that your due date is plus or minus 2 weeks and some hospitals don't offer induction until t+14 so each trust is slightly different. However, if you feel you want or need extra support don't feel shy about asking for it.
Jbakedbean, I'm vert sorry that you don't have support from your partner. Will you have someone you cn rely on with you in labour?

[ljayfitness]

buenos dias mummasitas x

I previously had 3 children with my ex husband and now after a few years on Babby numero Cuatro with a new boyfriend. This whole pregnancy was totally different. Maybe Daddy influence has a huge amount t do with our hormones to! Certainly did with a sweet tooth!

Anyway i am 40+4 and was worried i couldn't keep him in long enough as I had many contractions fairly early on!! now I have tried just about anything. I am 33 , my oldest is 12 almost 13 and youngest 7 next month. I was induced for my previous 2 Oskar and Eryka and Maggers my first came beautifully and relaxed .. even water birth.
This time i am in Spain. I haven't had the usual check ups, in fact no one has even tried to go up there and check it out.

I have been using raspberry leaf tea, pineapple, curry , fresh chilli, basil, oregano, aubergine, liquorice (but body is totally immune to that) i had raki and yesterday i had acupuncture! and a spiritual type massage to let baby know that all is good this end and he can detach and feel ready.. when he decides!! ahah
no twinges not at all!! I am so comfortable and hiking 3 miles everyday up and down country side with my doggy too... NADA!!! I am hoping it will be calm sudden quick and relatively painless ;) my longest was 4 hours and my daughter was 1 hour, but induced. ok buff waffle xxx any magic ladies ??

[Redkite10a]

I'm 40+2 today. Ds was born at 40+13 so I was expecting to go over but for some reason I'm really struggling with it. It's not helped by 21 month old Ds being ill - we've had 2 nights of me and DH being with him in shifts, so I'm tired and very achey :( .