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Pregnancy

Question For Those Who Have Been Overdue

42 replies

DaisyBug · 12/04/2013 12:31

One of my best friends is now a week overdue. I'm wondering how to strike the right balance between showing that I care and am thinking of her whilst not annoying the hell out of her at what I'm sure is a stressful and anxious time.

So, those who have been overdue, how did you feel at that point? Did it really irritate you to get lots of texts/emails/calls from family and friends? Would you have preferred that they just left you alone and trusted that you'd let them know as soon as there was news? Or would you have felt alone and uncared about if others hadn't let you know that they were thinking of you?

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birdbrain17 · 14/04/2013 13:23

daisy I'm now a week overdue and my family and friends have spent the week annoying the hell out of me with stupid comments and asking the whole time if I'm fed up which obviously I am and I didn't need them pointing it out to me, the only person who actually didn't annoy me was one of my friends texted me to see if she should pick me up and go out for a coffee. I really appreciated that as a text meant I could reply in my own time (and it's easier to ignore texts then phone calls when you're feeling grumpy) and also I've been feeling really housebound as scared to drive myself anywhere and get stuck there. Or you could offer to take her shopping if she needs anything, don't know if she is by herself or has a partner but I know my DH would love it if someone would take me to do the shopping so he doesn't have to do it all!!!!

StiffyByng · 14/04/2013 13:13

AmandaSegal, you can ignore it. Don't mention the subject unless she brings it up. If you're not normally in contact often, just wait for news rather than lots of unusual messages/calls. If you speak/message a lot, just act like you usually would. Job done.

mybelovedmonster · 14/04/2013 11:32

I'd send her some flowers with a note saying 'here if you fancy a chat/walk/coffee/anything'

amandasegal · 14/04/2013 11:28

my sister is now overdue and i know it irritates her a lot, all the phones and questions, but on the other hand, you can't ignore it!

LuckyOwl28 · 14/04/2013 11:20

pontouf I just read out your comment to my husband and he asked if I'd written it... all exactly what I've been saying!

birdofthenorth · 14/04/2013 11:07

"Any news?" Is extremely irritating. "Just want you to know I'm thinking of you and hoping you're not too uncomfortable" is kind.

CityDweller · 14/04/2013 10:12

You're spot on Pontouf. At 40 + 11 it's extraordinary how much any comments along the lines of hot curry/ rl tea etc make me feel like it's something I'm doing wrong (or not doing right) that's stopping this baby from coming. I knew going past due dates would be frustrating, I wasn't prepared for feeling so much like a failure!

So, to reiterate no 'helpful' suggestions of how to move things along. Like we're not obsessively Googling that anyway!

SayCoolNowSayWhip · 14/04/2013 08:50

Just to echo what everyone else has said. Do not under any circumstance ask about the baby / timings etc. you're liable to at best be ignored and at worst have a hit put out on you....

Just a phone call or text to go out and do something, or pop round for coffee etc. Of course, if you do go round to hers, you should make the tea AND wash up!

I totally agree with whoever said about the blame being put on you for being late. 'Why haven't you had that baby yet?' must be the most annoying question in the world. Yes, I'm deliberately holding off labour to piss you off!

Pontouf · 14/04/2013 08:35

I would defo say go for chatty texts just asking how she is and stuff, maybe inviting her for coffee etc. I am 8 days overdue and going out of my mind. I am getting between 3 and 5 texts a day from people asking if I've had the baby yet. Some from close family members who seem to think I would just have the baby and get on with my life without mentioning it to them.

The biggest no-nos for me are "can you hurry up and have that baby, what are you messing about at?" type messages which put the blame for my situation (albeit jokily) on me. Bear in mind that women who are overdue have almost no sense of humour left.

Also the have you tried curry, pineapple, sex, long walks, raspberry leaf tea, evening primrose oil, bouncing on a ball. Yes I have tried every fucking one. It is NOT my fault I am still pregnant, it is by because of something I am failing to do! Also please can people stop asking me if I've had sex, it is weird and creates an unpleasant image - I am 9 and a half months pregnant for God's sake, it's not pretty!

(possibly slightly sensitive).

I had to put out a FB status update yesterday of "no news, no baby" in the hope that it might stop the constant texts/calls. It did not.

RedBushedT · 14/04/2013 08:21

I went two weeks overdue and texts asking "if I'd had it yet?" made me scream with rage. chatty texts avoiding the topic were lovely though

NumberTwoDue · 14/04/2013 08:19

My aunt did my head in at the end of mine - she would ring until it went to voicemail (she'd been pestering me from 38 weeks and I was 41 at this point so I was well into screening mode) then hang up, ring against, hang up etc. the record was five times in two mins. I was ready to kill her.

At the other end of the spectrum was a lovely friend who invited me to little things like coffee or a walk and then said "we have plans now, so don't you dare have that baby in the meantime and mess them up." Really made me smile.

derpityderp · 14/04/2013 01:20

I'm 9 days over now and I just want everyone to fuck off and stop asking.

minicreamegg · 13/04/2013 22:21

When I was overdue I got to the stage I ignored my phone, would've bloody loved it tho if someone text and asked "do you need a hand with housework" .

LimeLeaffLizard · 13/04/2013 22:15

on my due date with DC3, a friend texted saying 'I have made a raspberry cheesecake and am looking for someone to share it with, would you like to come over?' I loved her at that moment - perfect!

'Any news?' / 'How are you doing' texts are just annoying

LuckyOwl28 · 13/04/2013 22:12

dexterpat

I am so doing that with our next one!!

LilyAmaryllis · 13/04/2013 21:59

Being overdue is a weird time. Each day - yes, still pregnant and no sign of any change! Plus, getting larger and more tired.

I would say, ask if she'd like to go to a cafe. Or, ask if you can pop round for a cup of tea etc. (If she already has a child/children, looking after them is going to be hard work at the moment - you could take them to the park?)

LuckyOwl28 · 13/04/2013 21:51

I agree with citydweller

I can just about handle my very close family and friends dropping a line to let me know they're thinking of me

But even with some of them, I feel some are almost ringing to catch me off guard to see if I'm actually in labour, like they don't want to be the last one 'in the loop'.

AND IF ONE MORE PERSON SAYS 'OOOO HAVE YOU TRIED A HOT CURRY/PINEAPPLE...ETC' I'M GOING TO KILL SOMEONE!!!

dexterpat · 13/04/2013 19:06

With ds1 I was 42w 2days ( induced at 42 weeks - took a while longer) but I was ready for murdering someone if I got another ' is he here text' with ds2 I was so peed off by the 2 weeks of why have you not had the baby yet - I added 2 weeks to my due date and told everyone that date ( apart from dh) instead ds2 came at 42wks exactly but I didn't have the irritation! Needless to say I've added 2 weeks again - just remember its not hilarious to say haven't you had it or give helpful advice etc x

worsestershiresauce · 13/04/2013 15:03

I had a house full of builders who every morning pointed out that a. I hadn't had 'it' yet, and b. I must be really uncomfortable. I could have thumped them....

Much nicer was a lovely friend who regularly texted to see if I wanted to pop round for a coffee or join her on a dog walk. She never once mentioned anything to do with the impending arrival other than to say to call her if I needed a lift to hospital or the dogs minded.

Practical and moral support is helpful. Comments and advice are not.

ohmentalnessisme · 13/04/2013 12:37

Yy Quak, I found myself constantly apologising for not having produced the baby yet and then getting annoyed with myself for apologising!

Quak · 12/04/2013 20:42

I found people seemed to be getting cross for me for not having dd on time. I felt a bit silly even though there was obviously nothing I could do about it! How lovely you're not making her feel like that!
Simple things. Go out for a waddle/walk with her but stay within easy reach of a car/bus as she might be feeling anxious about her baby coming suddenly. Go to the cinema if she can sit for a decent amount of time. I started having contractions in the cinema!
Good luck

Beamur · 12/04/2013 20:40

I was nearly 2 weeks over, but still quite comfortable and relaxed, so I quite enjoyed my friends keeping in touch and being interested in our progress.
I'd just keep in touch as you would a friendship under normal conditions and take advantage of the time to relax and do stuff before the baby arrives.

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ohmentalnessisme · 12/04/2013 20:33

I got really pissed off with all the calls and texts asking for news and offering advice to get things moving but one lovely friend who had been overdue twice herself sent me a text that started "I know you haven't had the baby yet so don't think this is one of those texts..." and then said if I wanted company to call her or ignore if I wanted to be left alone. It was so lovely and thoughtful of her and I really appreciated it as I was starting to climb the walls!

TeamEdward · 12/04/2013 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

catsdogsandbabies · 12/04/2013 20:28

I am +4 and was v late with DS1 and the worst texts/messages are about that 'oh hope he will be earlier than DS1' etc and 'any sign yet, any twinges'? The best ones are honest - sorry you must be v fed up, hope things get started soon' - those I mind less! Best would be offers of coffees etc

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