ok someone talk some sense into me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mummy2t]

i am nearly 38/39 weeks depending on mine or midwife dates. ds1 was born 36 weeks and ds2 was born at 37 weeks. as i have past that stage i am feeling very hard done too, i feel overdue although i am not. Can't wait for baby to come, feel like i am symptom spotting constantly. everytime i go to the loo i am checking for a show, everytime i get BH's i am thinking this is it! i am constantly worried waters will go while i am out in public! i am getting myself in a right mess over something that is totally out of my control!! i dont know if can take much more of this considering i could go another 3 or 4 weeks!!

Another 3 or 4 weeks of undisturbed nights, getting yourself ready, spending time with DS1 & 2 (& DH) can't be a bad thing can it? Stress can't be good for the bump, might make the bump think that they are safer tucked up inside and keep you waiting even longer!! Enjoy the last few weeks - please.

Mummy I do sympathise, I felt like that a few weeks ago and am only 31 weeks, god knows what I'll be like at your stage as went 15 days over last time!

I have started to do things just for me, which I really enjoy, that I wont be able to do after the birth which has made me feel much better, are you able to do that? Stuff like:

a spa treatment
reading shite trashy mags with feet up on sofa
having coffee and cake with friends
going for a nice slow swim

etc etc

distraction, distraction, distraction is key. i am in the same boat, but now actually past 40 weeks which i didn't dream possible after my 38 week ds. i'm just trying to keep busy (but rested) and weirdly i feel more zen about it now that i've gone over 40 weeks. what will be will be and i've no desire to force this one out before she's good and ready.
a pedicure and reflexology session also helps pass the time .

oh ps. i've taken to wearing tena ladies every day in the hope it will take some of the impact of the waters if they did break in M&S or something. The braxton hicks also going crazy, but i am trying to ignore them, as they have been doing that all week.

In same boat here, Braxtons are so bonkers I am on the point of going into hospital every night, then lo and behold they calm down again in the morning when DS is up and I can't go back to sleep!

ah, i'm also in the same boat - 38+5 now, and every twinge has me panicking a bit. It's my first though, so I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I'm convinced baby will be late, and I'll end up with an induction, but hope so much he'll turn up soon - I haven't slept for about 3 weeks now, and just feel absolutely drained! my midwife just keeps telling me he'll arrive when he's ready, which is useful (even though it's true!).

My first baby was delivered quite quickly so I am worried every twinge means that I will end up with a home birth on the bathroom floor!

Arolf, if this is your first, honestly 1st stage labour is likely to last several hours so you will have plenty of time to get to hospital etc.

hi pasturesnew - I'm fully expecting labour to last for many many hours, I'm just so frustrated about not knowing when it'll happen - and there's nowt I can do about that, obviously! it's the not sleeping which is annoying me most of all - I'm just so uncomfortable, and up and down to the loo all night long, then can't sleep during the day (I blame my mother for this - massive guilt complex about not being BUSY all the time!).
Plus I'm alternating between excitement about finally meeting my baby, and terror about the birth, which makes me a delight to live with (crying one minute, full of joy the next - ah, hormones!).

(sorry for threadjacking mummy2t)

Apart from worries about the labour I feel exactly the same. All we can do is keep relaxing and hoping it's not long now!

thanks for messages everyone, my internet went last night so couldnt get back on. trying to keep myself amused with ks and housework but so knackered i cant be arsed with either to be quite honest!! might have to give in and even try sex at some point, although the thought of it is quite off putting !! is it the actual having the sex, the sperm or the orgasm that can get things going???
my previous labours were fantastic, can honestly say i enjoyed giving birth, but know i am thinking i cant get lucky a third time so i am now crapping it expecting it to be awful!!! just getting myself in knots and hoping this baby arrives before i actually give myself a heart attack.

will catch up on this thread too

I think its a combination of most hormones that lead to labour starting....mummy2t

the oxytocin realeased from the sperm...also the mums hormones released from orgasm....all contribute to contractions starting....but without other (unknown) factors ...ie. Baby realeses hormones too apparently...along with the uterus sending (im too full) signals...!!!

so hence why we can never just bring on labour !!!

I also heard that when your relaxed....this also sends the happy/relaxed hormone too....which is a good thing...
so getting stressed/anxious etc can slow down the signals !!!!

I have managed to stop the constant BH ...(which were continuous all night for 9 consecutive nights) by relaxing and having those couple (or more !!) glasses of wine at night...
so I least I now get some sleep...

And all those BH I got did nothing to soften/dialate the cervix at all....
so pointless going through all those sleepless nights really !!!!

hope your managing not to stress to much mummy2t.......keeping sane & happy & getting on with things is the hardest thing ....

(and I truthfully had nothing like this with all previous 4 babys)...they just had the signs for 1 day....and bobsuruncle....they were out within 24 hours

so cannot understand why the body is now sending messages of impending labour....and has been for over 2 weeks....yet still nothing!!!

tonight....back to the wine....play some scrabble....maybe catch a film at 3am !!!! hehehe ...
and just keep plodding on with all you ladies keeping me sane xxxx

right there with you mummy2t ....and all other ladies who are now shouting at their bellies to get a move on !!!!!!!

hehe mumsylady you do make me giggle. my other 2 came few hours after waters breaking no Bh's b4 hand or any other signs so feeling like a complete numpty for getting so over te top this time round. have you had a show withll yours?? i did with ds1, while in labour at 5cm. didnt have one with ds2 unless i never noticed it. this time i am feeling like i am forever peering into the loo in hope ofnding something, just to let me know my body is gearing up for things. scared shitless of my waters breaking on the school run or in tescos!! i just need to relax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! calm down mummy2t