Will I be pregnant forever?!

[chipsandcurrysaucemonster]

Excuse the hysterical title.... currently 40+1 with absolutely no sign that baby is coming.

No braxton hicks
Baby doesn't feel to have dropped - either visually or any change of feeling in pelvis or bladder
No show
No leaking colostrum
No emotional changes

It's my first baby and wondering if anyone has any wonderful stories of going into labour without a lengthy list of 'signs' before hand.

Midwife team are incredibly busy so I don't actually have anything booked in regarding a sweep - when should I be proactive about this for best results? Obviously trying to avoid an induction as my smooth low risk pregnancy means I've got my heart set on a waterbirth in the midwife led unit.

I was like you but I went 17 days overdue 🙈 and even then I had no symptoms, just started contractions. Those 17 days were the longest of my life! On the bright side the birth was v straightforward 😊 Good luck!

My waters broke out of nowhere and I'd had no signs at all.

I was only 35 weeks so not quite the same situation... but labour appearing out of nowhere can definitely happen! Sending contraction vibes your way! Best of luck x

Same here. 40+6 and I have not a single sign that labour is approaching (also first baby). Sorry I don’t have a positive story for you, but I’m hoping some others will!

Thanks so much both - good to hear it can be spontaneous (although 17 days would require lots more patience!)

A normal pregnancy is 37 to 42 weeks. Try not to think of it as being overdue. You aren't. Most first babies come at 40+ weeks. Try to relax and enjoy these last days. Nothing to suggest you won't have a natural start to labour.

Btw, both of mine started out of the blue. No signs, just waters breaking. I was asleep second time round!

I was the same. I ended up having my baby 40+5. I went and had a manicure and massage then the next day I went into Labour! I know they say avoid that at the beginning of a pregnancy and I now believe why because I believe it helped bring on labour for me at the hinder end!
Maybe treat yourself to some new nails?!

Any excuse for nails and a massage ;)

I'm in same situation first baby and 40 + 4 and still have no signs or symptoms of labour either! Sweep is officially booked for Tuesday x

I had no2 at 40+7. I'd had no signs at all - first sign was that I was grumpy as hell and wanted everyone to fuck off when I went to bed the night before. Had a TINY show but nothing significant. Woke up at 5.59 the next morning, as my waters went with a pop. She was with us by 3pm that afternoon.

It will happen, honestly!

I have bad news for you, you will be pregnant forever as forever=every 24 hour period you go past your due date. (my son was born 16 days past his)

Even if you do end up with an induction, depending on where you are, you can still have a water birth. Our delivery suite had a room identical to those in the midwifery bit with a pool, and I was offered the use of it part way through my induction.

Thanks so much for the morale boost, it's definitely helping! Very interesting to what that a waterbirth may still be on the cards... now I'm trying to think of nice things to do before baby gets here - drinking my tea hot, watching a film all the way through etc!

Think the average gestation for first time mums is 41 weeks so do not panic yet. Use this time to have a good rest. I was crying at 39+6 with my first as I just thought it was never going to happen and everyone from NCT had queue jumped, then out of nowhere that night I went into labour. Try going for a long long walk, that's worked both times previously

I think a long walk may be on the cards now the weather has cooled... I was suffering in the heatwave so felt more agitated that I was cooped up too! Let's dust off the trainers...

I’m currently 41+2 and feel the exact same. Everyone in nct has had their babies, some 6+ weeks ago! I’ve been bouncing on birthing ball, ate 2 whole pineapples until my mouth went numb yesterday, been for a 2.5mile hilly little hike this morning in the rain with the dog, and very uncomfortable!

I feel like something is pushing down, so I’m guessing the baby is engaged, but nothing that feels like contractions. Occasionally getting stabbing like feelings down below. Had 2 sweeps and told cervix is totally closed, got another one booked for tomorrow so fingers crossed!

I had a midwife appt at 38 weeks with a midwife who said "no, baby hasn't dropped yet, you'll be a while yet" etc. Then my waters broke a few hours later and baby was born that night! So when it does happen, it can just happen suddenly!

I'm 40w4d

The wait is worse than the 2ww!!! I can't stop symptom spotting!

Everything is aching and I'm feeling grumpy and miserable! Glad to be in good company

I just had my baby at 41 weeks. It felt like it would NEVER end. Off for 3 weeks, stuck inthe house because it was too hot to go outside, bored.... the first week I had Braxton Hicks and felt crampy. Even had what I thought was mucus plug come away. Then for the next two weeks NOTHING / not a twinge. I felt totally and utterly normal. Then it started 5am one day with very mild period pains. Didn’t think it was the real thing until proper contractions started at 7.30am. Was contracting every 5 mins by 8.30, hospital at 10.30, baby born 11.58. No time for pain relief apart from gas and air for the last 90 mins. So it DOES end! Good luck xx

At this point yes you do feel like you'll be pregnant forever. It's pretty brutal. All you can do is sleep for England (i know it's annoying when people say this but it's true).

I was 41 + 3 with my first and had absolutely no symptoms beforehand. I woke up one night and my waters went and then I went into labour.

With my second I was 42 + 1 and was induced. So again, no symptoms!

Completely agree that this feels like 2ww symptom spotting!! Sometimes I know I just need the loo but I kid myself it's starting haha. Let's keep each other updated... whilst ball bouncing and curry eating and raspberry leaf tea drinking. There's light at the end of the tunnel! I'm calling midwife tomorrow to book in for sweep - hopefully I get some positive feedback from that which will boost me up whilst dealing with lack of all other symptoms...