Waiting for baby nearly 40 weeks

[bravelittlepenguin]

Second child. First one was nearly 42 weeks when eventually arrived after traumatic birth. I'm 40 weeks in the next couple of days and am starting to lose my mind! I feel like I'm destined to have another late baby. I'm massive, tired, uncomfortable, bored and impatient now. And sick of being pregnant! Anyone else?!

I could have written this. I had an emcs last time after being induced at 41weeks due to growth concerns (she was fine!!)
They’ve told me as I’m trying for a vbac they ‘won’t want me’ going over 41weeks again.
I don’t want an induction as I feel it contributed to the emcs and stressful labour as I wasn’t ready and she wasn’t.
I go to bed every night praying I’ll go into labour , not helped by the fact I have mild contractions every night for the last week!
It’s so frustrating but we have to try and ‘relax’
I hope we both go into labour naturally soon!

@Yogamummy23

I could have written this. I had an emcs last time after being induced at 41weeks due to growth concerns (she was fine!!) They’ve told me as I’m trying for a vbac they ‘won’t want me’ going over 41weeks again. I don’t want an induction as I feel it contributed to the emcs and stressful labour as I wasn’t ready and she wasn’t. I go to bed every night praying I’ll go into labour , not helped by the fact I have mild contractions every night for the last week! It’s so frustrating but we have to try and ‘relax’ I hope we both go into labour naturally soon!

I'm exactly the same! They've said they want me booked in for induction or cs by 41 weeks but the same as you I don't want the full induction process as I feel last time when they broke my waters it was the beginning of the end of my natural labour (I had an emcs in the end too but had planned a home birth!) but I really want a VBAC in large part because I don't know how I'll cope with a toddler after a section as well as a newborn. I'm the same as you- every night I sit in the sofa and think maybe I can feel a twinge and every morning when I wake up I have a sinking feeling that I'm still pregnant and nothing has happened for yet another day! Midwife told me to have "cuddles" with my husband to try to relax. 🤦‍♀️ I felt like I had a relaxing day yesterday but was up half the night with my toddler so today feel desperate again! 😭

We are so similar !! I’m due Saturday when are you? Love all the advice from the midwives, cuddles, watch something funny on tv (?!) I’ve tried curries and going for walks but I’m soooo tired !

I’m also desperate for a vbac for similar reasons. My 2yo is clingy as it is and I’m sad to think I may not be able to pick her up and she’s a sensitive soul .

Fingers crossed for the next few days!

I’m due Sunday and could have written this!
It’s almost worse this time because I know how awful labour can become, I keep thinking about what is ahead.

I also don’t want to be pregnant anymore so even though the thought of labour is terrifying its less terrifying than being pregnant for one more second.

Everything hurts, everything is swollen, I’m miserable and poor DP is getting it in the neck for breathing too loud 😂.

Are there actually any proven ways to get them out/labour started don’t say sex because I’d rather be pregnant for another decade 😬

@FTEngineerM I dont think there are any proven ways, everyone says sex but we’ve even tried that and nothing

As I was induced last time I’ve never gone into labour spontaneously so I feel I’m on edge just waiting and not really knowing what to expect!

@Yogamummy23

We are so similar !! I’m due Saturday when are you? Love all the advice from the midwives, cuddles, watch something funny on tv (?!) I’ve tried curries and going for walks but I’m soooo tired !

I’m also desperate for a vbac for similar reasons. My 2yo is clingy as it is and I’m sad to think I may not be able to pick her up and she’s a sensitive soul .

Fingers crossed for the next few days!

I'm due Sunday! I had a sweep on Monday but my cervix wasn't ready so they couldn't actually do it. Booked for another tomorrow but I'm not hol idiot out much hope!

My DD is the same- she loves being picked up and having cuddles. I feel worried enough as it is about how she will cope with the transition without having to reject her cuddles too as she won't understand why 😫

I'm also trying to walk but don't have the energy I had last time- I was still doing 10,000 steps no idea how! This time round a short walk into town totally exhausts me and makes everything ache!

@FTEngineerM

I’m due Sunday and could have written this! It’s almost worse this time because I know how awful labour can become, I keep thinking about what is ahead.

I also don’t want to be pregnant anymore so even though the thought of labour is terrifying its less terrifying than being pregnant for one more second.

Everything hurts, everything is swollen, I’m miserable and poor DP is getting it in the neck for breathing too loud 😂.

Are there actually any proven ways to get them out/labour started don’t say sex because I’d rather be pregnant for another decade 😬

Haha we did actually have sex yesterday in a rare moment of energy but it made no difference so I don't recommend it unless you want to!!

@bravelittlepenguin I’ve got a sweep tomorrow , first one, at 39+6. I hope hope hope it works but I did have 3 last time which didn’t ! But we must remain positive

I think maybe having a DC already is part of the tiredness, last pregnancy I was so precious and just rested/napped/nested around the house.

This time I’m literally running around trying to keep the tornado DS1 safe and not let the house become a depressing pit of mess 😬. Or being out and about because I’m he’s way more chilled out when out.

Good luck ladies! We can do it 🙋🏽‍♀️.

@Yogamummy23 I had a spontaneous labour last time, albeit ending dramatically, but it just felt like a period pain. Except they were regular and didn’t last very long.

[quote Yogamummy23]@bravelittlepenguin I’ve got a sweep tomorrow , first one, at 39+6. I hope hope hope it works but I did have 3 last time which didn’t ! But we must remain positive [/quote]
Fingers crossed! Mine is booked for 1pm tomorrow- hope we both start having contractions immediately and have babies this weekend 😂

@FTEngineerM

I think maybe having a DC already is part of the tiredness, last pregnancy I was so precious and just rested/napped/nested around the house.

This time I’m literally running around trying to keep the tornado DS1 safe and not let the house become a depressing pit of mess 😬. Or being out and about because I’m he’s way more chilled out when out.

Good luck ladies! We can do it 🙋🏽‍♀️.

@Yogamummy23 I had a spontaneous labour last time, albeit ending dramatically, but it just felt like a period pain. Except they were regular and didn’t last very long.

Totally agree. The bump is so massive it's really getting in the way of me being able to play or run after my DD too. Normal stuff I could have done a few months ago now feels like a mammoth task!

It felt the same for me too last time- strong period pain. I couldn't sleep through it. Did you have a section last time too?

Oh yeah I get you ☹️ It can’t go on much longer though so at least this is the worse part.

No forceps and episiotomy, I was rushed into theatre at one point for general anaesthetic CS but turned out to be unnecessary so they just wheeled me back to my room to labour on my own again 😬🤷🏽‍♀️ Heeelllooooooo I’m so stressed don’t leave him inside now!

How was your recovery last time? Did it take a while to start feeling yourself again?

@FTEngineerM

Oh yeah I get you ☹️ It can’t go on much longer though so at least this is the worse part.

No forceps and episiotomy, I was rushed into theatre at one point for general anaesthetic CS but turned out to be unnecessary so they just wheeled me back to my room to labour on my own again 😬🤷🏽‍♀️ Heeelllooooooo I’m so stressed don’t leave him inside now!

How was your recovery last time? Did it take a while to start feeling yourself again?

Oh dear that does sound stressful 😫. I'm fantasising about a lovely chilled vagina delivery but it can go so many different ways can't it.

I was actually ok with my recovery- I think I found it a lot easier than a lot of others do. I was up and about pushing the pram (admittedly not very far) after about a week but I obviously didn't have a toddler to contend with and could take it very easy when needed! I remember the bloating, constipation, night sweats and getting in and out of bed being awful though! I also had to have blood thinners for 6 WEEKS which were just awful!! How was your recover from your episiotomy, dare I ask?!

I feel you! I’m 40+2 now and totally over being pregnant!!!
I’ve had period pains/back cramps most evenings for the last week… but no real signs of activity. I’ve got a sweep at my 40 week check tomorrow, so it’ll be good to see what’s going on down there!

I had an “easy” first delivery and on my due date… so this being overdue thing is new to me! 😬🤣

@SillyBry

I feel you! I’m 40+2 now and totally over being pregnant!!! I’ve had period pains/back cramps most evenings for the last week… but no real signs of activity. I’ve got a sweep at my 40 week check tomorrow, so it’ll be good to see what’s going on down there!

I had an “easy” first delivery and on my due date… so this being overdue thing is new to me! 😬🤣

I've had the same most evenings this week but I actually wonder if it's just my body being knackered lugging around this massive baby 😂

God lucky you with your last delivery- there's still a tiny corner of my mind praying that will still happen for me! I think I sent myself half mad waiting for my DD to turn up last time. I had a lot less to keep me occupied then so I don't feel quite as bonkers as I did the first time round but the eyeore-like depression has definitely started to sink in!

I was due on Saturday and still waiting! Also aiming for a Vbac as recovery with an unforgiving two year old will not be fun. Was supposed to have a sweep this morning but all clinics were cancelled suddenly so now waiting for her to come do a home visit this afternoon.

Only movements I’ve had so far are cramps after drinking raspberry leaf tea - like horrible period pains 😫

@Mariposa123

I was due on Saturday and still waiting! Also aiming for a Vbac as recovery with an unforgiving two year old will not be fun. Was supposed to have a sweep this morning but all clinics were cancelled suddenly so now waiting for her to come do a home visit this afternoon.

Only movements I’ve had so far are cramps after drinking raspberry leaf tea - like horrible period pains 😫

Keep drinking the tea!! 😉 I did all the tea drinking, ball bouncing, sex, walking, you name it last time round and none of it made any difference so I've decided to give myself a break and not bother this time!

Have they said anything about how long they will "let" you go over? My consultant seems keen to get me booked in by 41 weeks for either a cs or induction but it feels like that day will creep up very quickly and neither of those options sound very appealing to me 😫

Haha every time I try the ball my toddler decides to push me off and have a go instead.

I’m booked in for a c section next Thursday, so I’ll be 41 weeks + 5. From all the information they gave me this seemed like the ‘better’ option - I wanted to avoid induction leading to a EMCS if I can. I feel like this baby will hang on as long as possible though.

I didn’t go through this waiting game last time as it was an ELCS for breach. It’s such a weird limbo!

@Mariposa123

Haha every time I try the ball my toddler decides to push me off and have a go instead.

I’m booked in for a c section next Thursday, so I’ll be 41 weeks + 5. From all the information they gave me this seemed like the ‘better’ option - I wanted to avoid induction leading to a EMCS if I can. I feel like this baby will hang on as long as possible though.

I didn’t go through this waiting game last time as it was an ELCS for breach. It’s such a weird limbo!

Haha my toddler is the same!! She insists I bounce her up and down on it! Glad someone is getting some use out of it 😂

Yeah I totally agree about induction leading to emcs- really not an appealing idea is it! But I think what's swaying it for me is that there is still a chance I can have a vaginal delivery with induction which I'm hoping would mean an easier recovery (although of course no guarantees on that front as I know there are horror stories about recovery from vaginal births too). I also think if I ever want to have a third baby then if I've had two sections I'll probably end up with a third which seems like a lot 🤷‍♀️. I'm still torn though- I'm going to see the consultant early next week and will see what he says. Tbh the idea of having an actual date to take the waiting game out if it is definitely also appealing at this stage.

It’s really hard to know what to do for the best isn’t it? Hopefully these babies hurry up and get a move on!

Anything overnight ladies ? My friend suggested colostrum harvesting (which I have been doing without much success!) and that gave me some strong contractions last night but didn’t develop into anything sadly!
Sweep today !!

@bravelittlepenguin that doesn’t sound too bad at all, if you did have another CS have you got someone who could do the heavy lifting with your toddler for a while? Oh god 6 weeks of stabbing you self, not fun. I only had 10 days of that and I was done with it.
Recovery was ok for the first week then the stitches came apart so it got infected and needed antibiotics, by a month everything looked a lot neater thankfully 😬.

@Yogamummy23 nope, nothing, he’s going to make me work for it 😂 I went to sleep at 11 then woke up at 1 and 3 to pee and then 6 with agony in my arm from carpal tunnel 🥺 it’s literally like having a newborn. Is it the milk ejection that causes contractions or nipple stim itself? I can’t seem to get anything out when I try harvesting colostrum but obviously I could do the latter. Good luck for you sweep today, hopefully it bring on more contractions.

@FTEngineerM wahh that sounds rubbish I slept quite well last night as did DD but I woke up so annoyed I wasn’t in labour haha! So irrational.

I think it’s the nipple stimulation but I can’t be sure. Read up on it as I think your only meant to do it for a short amount of time. I barely get anything out! But will keep trying it.

My midwife has said nipple stimulation is supposed to help speed things up by tricking the uterus into thinking a baby is already here! Doesn’t seem to have helped me either yet though.

Update from my end is that I had my sweep today and she was able to do it this time- hurrah! Cervix now 1cm and medium firmness so I'm feeling much more positive than I was this morning. Had a terrible nights sleep with about 10 wee trips and up for the day at 5am coz couldn't sleep for worrying and obsessing!! The midwife was lovely too and made me feel a bit calmer about the waiting game.

Colostrum harvesting didn't do anything for me last time I have to say and I didn't even end up using the colostrum 🤦‍♀️. All I had to show for it was very sore nipples 😂. I think it's to do with oxytocin release which you get when you breastfeed- it can help to bring in labour apparently? 🤷‍♀️