I know baby will come when it's ready...but can't it be ready now?

[Rubberduckies]

I'm 40 weeks. All through pregnancy I told myself that baby wouldn't be late if it came at 42 weeks, it would come when it's ready etc etc. But now I'm here I just want it to hurry up! Physically I actually feel fine, I still feel sick but I've had that since 4 weeks so I can do another 2 easy. I'm just impatient!

I've done all the old wives tales (except castor oil but I seriously considered it before telling myself off). Raspberry leaf tea, Evening primrose oil, Clary sage, Walks, Sex, Curry, Pineapple, Gym ball, Nipple stimulation, Dates, Reflexology. I thought I had I tightenings Thursday and Saturday nights but nothing since...

This week would just be really handy. Dh is off for half term...my sister isn't working...its decent weather....

Anyone else sat around waiting?

Time feels even slower when your contractions start but they're nowhere near close enough together or regular (but strong enough to keep you awake 24/7!). But when it really starts it will be so sudden you will forget how long it took to get there. It's such a boring cliché but try not to think about it, just enjoy your last hurdle of this pregnancy and sleep as much as you possibly can - you will need it. Congrats on your baby :)

All of my 4 have been late and it’s torture. All the people telling you to rest and enjoy it are right though. I was never able to and I’m now lying next to my lovely 6 week old (10 loooooong days late!) and wishing I’d enjoyed pregnancy a little more. It’s definitely our last one and I wished the time away with stress and worry. Labour was very quick and relatively painless when it happened though, I went up to bed in an absolutely foul mood, did some mad pacing around the room, bounced on my ball for a bit, then went to bed and read for a bit before realising my waters had gone. I was two days off induction which I was really hoping to avoid but I think I’d accepted would be inevitable. Make time to rest in between going for some long walks. Nothing will kick off labour unless your body is ready so just surrender!

@rubberduckies 39+3 here and feel your pain! Thought it was happening last night as regular strong BH and back ache but it all tailed off... DC1 labour started on due date so stupidly convinced myself this one would be early Agree with b0bb1n that you really know when it starts though!

Yup 40+6 today and really really struggleling mentally! I've had such a good and healthy pregnancy so far but feel I am wishing the end of it away. The worst are the Braxton Hicks torment which really make you think something is happening.. But it's not!!
Very frustrated first timer here

I'm 40+4 here and getting induced at 40+6 so trying everything I can to get labour to start but nada. Got another sweep today so really hoping things have moved on since last week.

Had a good couple of hours of pain and tightenings last night which I thought was the start of something but fizzled out to nothing. Come on baby! Get out!

Feel your pain op! I'm 40+4 today, got a sweep this afternoon and I'm hoping it works. Just so bloody uncomfortable!

Ah I remember this feeling well! What got me through was reading that when baby’s lungs are fully developed they release surfactant into the amniotic fluid, and this is part of what triggers your body into going into labour. I chilled out of bit after that and dd was born a few days later.

Good luck! I hope it goes smoothly for you.

2 weeks before, you start thinking it could be any day if its early. So if it's 2 weeks late that's a whole month you have been on tenterhooks. Time drags. Remember the anticipation of Christmas as a child and how long that took to come round.

My only advice? Try to enjoy the calm before the storm. It won't be long before you are fondly remembering the good times when you actually had time to eat and sleep.

40+10 here, really thought I’d have this baby by now even though I knew she’d be late, just not this late! Had a sweep yesterday and then contractions that were 10 minutes apart but they stopped when I went to bed :( induction booked for Saturday when I’ll be 14 days over, really don’t want to be induced but also not sure how much more waiting and is it/isn’t it I can take. Hoping you all get to meet your babys soon

Just think to yourself your lucky to have went full term & wont be long now.rest & enjoy your bump for the next week or so.

I'm trying to relax and enjoy it. Dh and I have been going out for breakfast....lunch.....walks....ice cream. I played the Sims for about 3 hours yesterday for nostalgia!

I'm trying so hard not to have a mental time limit but it's so hard. Dh is a teacher and so it would just be so perfect of baby comes before he has to go back to work so we can have a lovely full 3 weeks together....

Ah well! It's nice that I'm not the only one because I do know its daft to feel like this!

It's completely natural but instead try to reframe it as enjoying this last week together, just the two of you for the last time. You will never get that back - you might be very lucky and have enough support for some alone time in the future but your child will always be in the back of your mind - are they ok, are they well, are they missing me - this is your time now, enjoy it!!

All 3 of mine have been overdue (2 inductions at 42wks and one who came at 40+9). I'm 30wks pregnant with number 4 and I keep trying to set my expectations that it's another 12wks for me. But I also know that come mid July I will be going for walks, bouncing on balls, drinking tea, sex in the hope to not go so far over!