This is the bit I REALLY hate... sitting around waiting for labour to start

[notnowbernard]

And trying to find ways to (quietly) entertain small, bored children

I'm twingey and uncomfortable. Overdue. Hot. Have no inclination to go anywhere. Kids going a bit mental, understandably

Rant over and ideas to stop me losing the plot very welcome

My tip would be don't sit around waiting for labour to start, it's like being a teenager again and waiting for that boy to ring Easier said than done though I know.

Have you got a small tent that can be put up in the garden? Kids seem to love that. Or, make a tent indoors using chairs and a sheet.

Create some sort of treasure hunt around the house and garden?

Paddling pool or if the kids are a bit older, make a water slide with a sheet of plastic and lots of washing up liquid.

Get the kids to pamper mummy. Put your feet in a bowl of warm water and ask them to wash and dry them, then get them to slap on loads of moisturiser and massage them. Kids love role play.

Or cooking? All kids like to make cakes.

I know, make cakes, then get kids to do the whole pamper thing while you eat the cake!

Thanks for the ideas. They are stuck in front of the box atm. I think they are as bored as I am tbh

Will sit here all the while the TV entertains them... I am so tired, I know sitting about doesn't help but we were out all day yesterday and I am catching up a bit, I think

Don't be so hard on yourself. Looking after dc is hard enough, nevermind when you're pg as well.

Give yourself a break today and then maybe make a list of things to do for the next week? Have loads of GREAT things planned and then the baby will defo come

Good luck, hope to see your birth announcement sooner rather than later

i've never understood the whole 'overdue and fed up' thing. i loved being overdue! no pressure to do anything; indulged by everyone; friends keeping in close touch to check progress - and uninterrupted nights (except for frequent toilet trips/bump discomfort). I had ten happy days like this and found it a very special time. Make the most of it! it's surely only going to be harder when baby arrives!

Sotough - didn't mind being overdue the 1st time

2nd time was a bit of a drag

This time it's doing my head in with a 6 and 4 yr old who are bouncing off the walls with boredom and are up with the larks

No time to rest as much this time round

I did however spend 2 hrs playing board games this afternoon so am going to award myself a Good Mummy award later

And quite possibly a glass of wine

yeah, obviously it's not quite so joyful when you've got to be supermum! i have idyllic memories of filling in time by going for glorious walks by myself in the hot summer sunshine, and even a solo trip to the cinema! not quite the same when your hands are full with children...is there anybody who could give you a few hours off to go and do something nice for yourself, like get your hair done or something?

I too get all nostalgic when I recall late pregnancy with DC1

This time I just want it over so I can celebrate NOT BEING PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!

HAve lots of lovely folk around me but they have their own stuff going on... and it's school holidays and people are away or have their hands full entertaining their own

But it's not long now

'Make the most of it! it's surely only going to be harder when baby arrives!'

Soooo not true after pregnancy number one! Late pregnancy with small children or just one more newborn to add to the mix? So much easier when they are out. Newborns seem a doddle once you have entertained older ones

Late pregnancy is hell when you have small DC's to look after - hard to move, just want to lie there...they keep bouncing, knocking into you, climbing on you, talking at you about random things when you just cannot think straight

Can you tell I am also almost due (39 weeks tomorrow) with a 4 and 2 year old? DS is currently tapping my tummy repetitively with his foot and driving me nuts...I cannot be bothered to move though!

So true, Peppa

Baby will seem a doddle. I am hating being pg at the moment (which I feel a bit sad about, but hey-ho)

Also dreading labour Have had 2 straightforward deliveries

Feel for you having a 2yr old. At least mine can go off and play together without input from me for prolonged periods of time

My four year old keeps talking to me about meaningless things such as 'can you see my eyes mummy' - erm yes.

My two year old keeps climbing on my ginormous bump and then trying to bounce on it

Newborns - fab. They might not sleep a lot but they cant move or ask incessant questions! And you can move again / breathe / sleep on your tummy....ahhhh bliss.

I too hate being pregnant right now and have not enjoyed at all (lots of sickness, exhaustion). However I am also irrationally sad at it ending despite wanting it out now

Am also dreading labour after 2 quick deliveries - I mean it has to go wrong this time doesnt it

I think the smiley sums it all up

ditto ditto ditto
fed up fed up fed up
(only) 38 weeks with a 5 and a 3 year old. They're in front of telly. Bad mummy. Can't be arsed to move. I loved my previous two pregnancies. This one has been so different and i've woken up this morning with the irrational knowledge that I will end up overdue this time.

peppa - sleeping on my tummy again, ahhh heaven! And also, despite wanting baby OUT, feel sad that I've not enjoyed it this time coz know it will be the last one.

ahh, but it is pouring with rain so at least don't feel guilty about not going out!

STILL overdue

I woke up today after a good night's sleep and immediately felt a wave of frustration sweep over me... here we are, with another day of the holidays to fill. I feel like doing sod all, but will have to do something

Poor DC, I do feel guilty

I need a virtual kick up the backside, please

Ok, let's get this labour started.

Have you got ANYTHING left to do around the house that needs to be done and is iro the baby? Washing, packing bags, sorting the nursery? If so get them done and out of the way so they're not inhibiting your mind.

Why are you worrying about the labour? Is it because you've had 2 good ones so you feel it's your turn for it to go pear shaped? Statistically speaking, if you've had 2 good deliveries, your 3rd should be too.

Lay in a dark quiet room. Relax, get comfortable and talk to your baby. If you really do feel ready for labour (this is different to being ready for the baby to be OUT) tell them you're ready. Tell them you're ready to see them. Visualise your labour and seeing your baby for the first time.

It all sounds rather hippyish, but I think your head has to be in the right place for things to get going.

And if in doubt, have some good pokey sex. Forget pineapple and all that shite. A good shag is what's needed

Hopefully I waffled on here and by now you've got a baby in your arms

Thankyou, what a lovely message

No baby yet (or sign of labour for that matter)

But feeling better in my head about it. Everyday is a day nearer and all that. And looking forward to the weekend as Dp will be at home and is planning to take the DC out on Saturday Which probably means labour will start tonight...

Glad to hear the positive mental atitude is winning in your head.

Bring on the weekend!