As I near 38 weeks, I'm struggling to understand how women can manage beyond 40 weeks

[flawless29]

As a first-time mom, the pain and pressure in my pelvic region during the final weeks of pregnancy were excruciating and sharp. I tried to stay active by going to the pool and doing those antenatal ex, but even simple tasks like cooking and shopping became difficult.

Sleep, sitting, and standing were all uncomfortable, and my stomach felt tight and painful. Sometimes I experienced dizziness and blurred vision, and I couldn't help feeling envious of moms who had already given birth.

I'm finding it really tough to cope with the discomforts of pregnancy, especially as I approach 38 weeks. I'm amazed at how some women can endure this for up to 42 weeks without a hitch. May be it’s tough for me as it my first time ☹️😢

DH and I agree that I have never been so thoroughly grumpy as I was as I went from 38 to 40 and on to 42 weeks. And I’d had a ridiculously easy pregnancy. Poor you, hope you’re holding the baby very soon!

Try it with twins or more OP!

42 weeks and an 11 pound baby and 15 years later I still think of those last 2 weeks as the longest of my life 🤣

I’m convinced it’s an evolutionary adaptation. I started pregnancy terrified of giving birth. By week 38 I was praying to go into labour, the sooner the better. Bring. It. On.

I also found I slept much better with the baby outside of me than inside. Sure, I didn’t love being woken up by a newborn every two hours. But my body was my own, the quality of 2 hours of sleep was infinitely better than when pregnant, and at least I had something cute to look at every time I was up!

I went to 42 weeks and honestly I was more comfortable at 40-42 weeks than at 35 weeks. Baby’s head engaged was way more comfortable then when all the weight was higher up and giving me sciatica somehow.

I did it three times, twice in the hottest month of the year. You just do it.

I didn't have any pelvic pain but I discovered my very slight scoliosis (if you looked closely when I was in a bikini you could see it) meant my ribs on one side were lower. The baby fought that rib for space and it got sore. My poor husband had to stretch me out by hauling me up by the arms. The baby turned out so big in comparison to me that people thought he was adopted. (My mother smiled and told me I was so large as a baby that the matron thought that the babies had been swapped.)

Well, all 3 of mine were 42 weekers and you have no choice.

the last time I was 42 weeks pregnant with a 4 year old and a 2 year old to look after. What were my other options?

I’m 35 weeks today and miserable as sin. My hips are burning, my groin is really painful, my lower back aches. I’ve also got a cold so I feel like I can’t breathe! I have that annoying thing where I have to bend forwards to wee and I always have that pressurey feeling like I need to go when I’ve just been. I’m being induced at 37 weeks, how I would do this for another 7 I have no idea!

You may not have a choice OP!

Sorry to hijack but curious to know at what point others started to get really uncomfortable? I’m currently 32 weeks and feeling pretty good, but this is making me slightly terrified of what’s to come 😂

I remember being stuck in 90 feet (felt like) of snow waiting for my son to be born. I was hotter than the actual sun and could cheerfully have brained anyone who told me "it could be worse...I did xyz!".

No advice other than eat what you want, wear what you want, don't be afraid to bite annoying people if they get too close.

😃

You just get on with it. Once you're that far along what's the alternative? I was 41 weeks pregnant in a heatwave with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. Listening to my SIL who had her one and only baby at 36 weeks talk about how hard those last weeks of pregnancy are - I wanted to punch her!

I was 2 weeks overdue and that fortnight was hell! I remember my neighbour asking when I was due and me replying through gritted teeth “12 days ago!”

Its fucking shit.

I think the only way to cope is to take one hour at a time, and think that in a year or so, those two extra weeks will seem like they passed in a second

How old are you?

I went to 42 weeks with excruciating pelvic pain. Baby was in no hurry to come out. And 18 years later they're still in no hurry 😁
You'll cope because… we'll just because xxx

Where did that stray apostrophe come from - grr

I went 13 days over. It was like doing another 9 months!

I went to 42+2 with my first before being induced (he REALLY didn't want to come out) and I was bloody miserable by that point 😂🤦🏻‍♀️ fingers crossed you're not waiting too much longer OP!

It’s amazing what time can heal. 😂 It’s not that I E forgotten my 10 pound 2 oz baby who refused to budge and got stuck at the shoulders at nearly 42 weeks gestation when they finally FINALLY agreed to induce me. It’s that I love that little shit so much I’ve eventually accepted it.

But the pelvic pressure was WAY worse the first time around - every step I took it felt like being stabbed down there!!!…

Good luck Op, I guess to look on the bright side, it’s not 40 degrees outside. ♥️

During my first labour I said to DH 'it really hurts' and he said 'at least you won't be pregnant anymore' which was the must motivating thing anyone has ever said to me.

You have dizziness and blurred vision. Please contact your midwife or doctor so that they can rule out your discomfort being caused by preeclampsia or anything else.

But, yes, it can be tough.

This! It may be nothing (or perhaps you’ve already sought medical advice) but it’s better to be safe!!
Personally I didn’t go overdue but I wasn’t ever uncomfortable, even right at the end so I was very lucky but my goodness, talking to some of my friends, it sounds like it can be fucking hideous. Perhaps as already mentioned it’s a cunning ploy by Mother Nature to have you so desperate for it to be over, you’re not so worried about how it’ll happen!

Honestly, discomfort for me peaked at around 38 weeks for me both times.

I found I coped better the busier I was, so I could have something to focus on other than the fact I had a foot in one rib and a head trying to dig through my cervix. It doesn’t even need to be anything physical if that makes you too uncomfortable; although I did find moving eased some of my pain.