40 weeks today!! What should I expect first time mom

[Holly34]

Ok im here now after weeks months of countdown, any advise ?

What should I really look out for?

should I walk everyday? I feel kind of crap last 2 days... is that normal ?

Can it happen any day now? or is there another 2 weeks to wait until they induce me?

Everyone is different. I had nothing until labour started at 40+4, I had a feeling my DD would arrive not long after my due date but that was it. I walked every day, bounced on my ball, ate spicy food and the day I just put my feet up and relaxed, it was that night that things started to happen and I had had her by the morning. So I would relax where possible, decide whether you would like a Sweep and just get what you can ready :) hope you're not waiting too long

Yes walk every day . If you are bored, make some meals / soups and fill the freezer.

And don't worry about looking out for signs of labour, you are likely to have a long time between starting and meeting your baby .

Thank you I hope so too!! can't wait to see the baby!

soups is a great idea!! I will be doing that

Rest and sleep lots. Enjoy when baby arrives but rest up and be ready.

Walk, sleep, ear. Go out for dinner to a posh restaurant. It'll be a while till you get the chance again.

I got to my due date with no signs and resigned myself to induction - into labour 40+2, born 40+3.

It all goes by quite quickly, even though at the time it can feel like it drags.

When you come home and put the baby in the basket or crib you just sit and look at it like "what now?" Hahahah

Go for a small walk.daily once you feel able - no need to go anywhere until you no longer feel lile your womb is about to drop out.

The house will get busy with visitors so try and get people to advance warn you - maybe try and have a couple of visits one day and none the next etc. Get OH to practice his "stand up and make Leave Now noises" now so visitors get the hint.

Ah, so exciting. Expect the unexpected, go with the flow and don't forget to breathe.

The baby will come soon enough but relaxing your whole body and sleeping as much as you can will stand you in good stead.

Enjoy it, the birth, the baby, the whole nine yards. Being a mum is amazing.

Good luck

Go out to a lovely restaurant with your dh or have a final just the two of us date somewhere (cinema?). Go for lots of gentle walks weather permitting and treat yourself to something just for you (like a haircut, pedicure, etc) if your nesting instinct kicks in be prepared to maniacally start cleaning.

I wish I'd had my fringe trimmed before ds arrived as the next 2 months he was attached to my boob and I couldn't get it done.

Thanks guys

OH has called in Sick again today, feel annoyed but could it be he is feeling stressed? Did anyone experience the same withdrawal (from work) symptoms from OH? nearer the due date? May be I need to be more fair

Amen to what Salmiak said. My baby is 8 weeks tomorrow and the first month was HARD! Mostly I suppose because it was quite an adjustment not to be able to do exactly what I want to do when I want it. I read advice like Salmiak's before I gave birth and dismissed it. But trust me - make the most of it!

oh and cook a LOT of meals for the freezer while you are waiting!

Why is your DH off sick ? I'm guessing its something minor as you are annoyed .

Hes not really sick more exhaustion looks so tired, seems like he is the one pregnant He has been working 6 days 12-14 hours shifts last two years! I was wondering how your OH's have managed as the due date approaches?

Thank you all for your sweet advise! Booking a pedicure for Friday! And haircut on Saturday

Rest!

I was still doing everything at 100mph at 38 weeks (when DS arrived) I had been at a friends BBQ and had a late night when I went into labour, I really wish I had rested and got plenty of sleep to help me out with the 24 hour labour that followed.

Aha! If you have made an appointment for Saturday, you will definitely go into labour on Friday

My OH continued as usual before , during and after my pregnancies and births l since he wasn't the one who was PG. Friends DH/P all the same .

Is your OH a bit of a special snowflake ? Or is he actually coming down with something ?

Expect your body to feel worse than you imagined it would after labour. And expect to wonder why hospital beds are so high up when its already difficult to get out if bed post labour! its not longlasting though :D worth it!