38 weeks and 3 million years pregnant. The baby will come out at some point, right?

[stalebananabread]

I know - I KNOW - it's not like I'm 42 weeks pregnant and about to have my hundredth stretch and sweep. I know I shouldn't complain. But I'm so fed up.

I'm 38+2 with a baby who has been fully engaged for the last two weeks (so I can't walk further than about 100 meters without feeling like he's going to fall out), who has been savagely headbutting my cervix multiple times a day for about two months and with whom I have had endless braxton hicks since the second trimester. In the last 10 days or so, I've had multiple sleepless nights of Is This It? stop/start contractions which have fizzled to nothing.

I am exhausted. I've lost what little confidence I had in my motherly intuition. I have no idea whether any of my increasing signs of imminent labour mean anything. I'm just huge and uncomfortable and increasingly feeling like I'm going to
be pregnant for the rest of my life.

My daughter was born abruptly but straightforwardly at 36 weeks. Not ideal to be so early, but all pretty simple. I stupidly thought this one would be similar. This is unchartered territory.

PLEASE, someone remind me that at some point in the next 2 - 4 weeks I will actually have a baby?

Sending positive vibes your way OP!
Have you started antenatal expressing? Could be a good way to get your labour started if you are keen for baby to come sooner rather than later

Ouch. Sounds crappy sorry but it will happen, this too will pass, gravity innit.

Good luck

You're only just full term really, early term if anything and he might benefit from every extra day inside. My first was fixed and fully engaged from 31 weeks so I know the feeling of a v low baby well! He will come. And pretty soon tbh. Late pregnancy perspective is weird though. Think of only 30 days until Christmas and the feeling is mostly SHIT I'M NOT READY. 30 days of pregnancy and you think SHIT THAT'S A LIFETIME.

Do whatever makes you comfortable and happy and he'll be here soon.

Best of luck for labour, delivery and beyond.

You will have a baby!

Mine came at 42 weeks and 41+3 and I really did have moments of wondering if I'd be pregnant forever.

It's 18 years ago now but I still remember the exhaustion and pain of the last few weeks.

I hope it all happens soon for you. Keep us posted.

I’m 39+1. I’m really keen for baby to come soon as v uncomfortable.

39+1 here too. if I had any flexibility left in me I’d probably be trying to pull it out myself.
I also feel like I will be pregnant forever and have not had a single twinge that anything might happen.. apart from the head butting!
Fed up of acid, waddling, bad sleep & the return of morning sickness!
No blooming pregnant lady here.. just a mess!

Been there! Not pregnant now and have an adorable 4 month old....it did happen eventually, as it will for you!😆

Thank you everyone, for coming to my pity party! Misery loves company and solidarity to those of you who are also pregnant and grumpy!

I've just been relieved of my pre-teenage toddler and I've had a two hour nap - mood is somewhat improved.

I'd just love a crystal ball. There's something very tiring about the fact that it could be tonight, but it could also be a few days before Christmas. @ShowOfHands you make an excellent point though, and I am absolutely not practically ready either for Christmas or for the baby!

Every single midwife and HCP has sagely told me that this baby is going to arrive before his due date and I don't think that's helped either. Think I need to at least contemplate going overdue!

I will update!

I felt very much like this with my second pregnancy too after my waters went with my first at 34 weeks. Like you, everyone had prepared me for the fact she’d come early too and then when it didn’t happen I was baffled. Also suffered with two weeks of prodromal labour from 36-38 weeks so I feel you there too! I think like you say it would have been a lot easier had I known from the start when she’d arrive. She did arrive at 38+1 and I’m currently 29 weeks with baby no.3 and know I’ll be similarly surprised if this one isn’t here by that gestation

I'm 38 weeks and suffering with SPD, nausea and being unable to eat most foods.

I'm fed up and uncomfortable now.

Fingers crossed we will meet our babies soon 🤞

@Enwi sounds like we've had very similar pregnancies! My hypnobirthing teacher suggested the other day that I might be experiencing prodromal labour as well. I'm exhausted!

It's tricky because I know that the longer he's in, the better - he's already a healthy weight but I'd love a chunky baby, after my first was born so small. But I'm also really struggling now - I'm tearful, grumpy with my toddler and my husband, and feeling almost completely immobile. I'm also feeling nervous about adjusting to life with a newborn and my increasingly clingy daughter, and I just want to get on with it now!

I've woken up this morning feeling distinctly rough - queasy and period-type crampy. Maybe today will be the day?! (Hah, no, this baby is never coming out)