40+4 and fed up! Tell me your positive stories, old wives tales or just something to cheer me up!

[Pitstop1986]

As the title suggests, I'm over halfway through my 40th week of pregnancy. I hurt everywhere, I feel like I've been kicked in the crotch, sleeping is uncomfortable, not to mention getting up for the frequent trips to the loo! Everything is a struggle at the moment!

I just want to go into labour and I've tried everything - dates from 36 weeks, raspberry leaf tea all of the third trimester, acupressure, massage, walking (including kerb walking) pregnancy yoga, bouncing, hip circles and rocking on a birtb ball, spinning babies exercises, relaxation, hypnobirthing, osteopathy, clarey sage baths, the lot!

This is my second baby, my first was born at 39+6 after my waters broke the previous morning. This one is not even engaged yet! I had a midwife appointment on Friday and she attempted a sweep, but could only just about reach the opening of my cervix and gave me a Bishop's score of 2.

I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever!

It definitely won’t be forever. I know this bit is so frustrating but it’s another week at the most now; you’re very close.

Dc1 came on their due date then dc2 not until 40+12. Yes I was going crazy but it was only when I gave up and resigned myself to the fact it would happen eventually, made loads of nice plans (& got a c section date booked in at 40+14) that I finally went into Labour.

Have you tried pumping/ hand expressing? Everyone I know who tried it at 40+ weeks went into labour same night (me included!) get twiddling those nipples woman 😂 good luck!!

@MikiSu yes, also tried pumping, hand expressing colostrum and sex. This baby just doesn't want to move! The pump did bring on contractions, but they died off a couple of hours later

Are you eating medjool dates at all?! I can't remember how many it is a day, maybe six, but there is actual evidence to suggest that it makes labour easier and might bring it on. Expensive, but worth a try!

Give up! My first two were 40+1 and 40+2, by 41 weeks with number 3 I had tried absolutely everything and had completely given up, stopped try to get labour started and just coming round to the realisation of an induction. She wasn’t even slightly engaged, sweep had failed. I went into labour 41+2.

Solidarity. I've had one at 41+6 and one at 41+5

It's my second I went for a sweep at 41+2 and the midwife was delighted to tell me that baby was totally free and there was a no chance (we had just had a heated 'discussion' about me declining induction in favour of homebirth)

The next day I went for a very long 'power' walk, had reflexology (a bit woo but relaxing nonetheless), bounced and bounced on my ball to get baby engaged and tried another sweep at 4pm that day. I was 2-3 cm and baby fully engaged. Went into labour the next morning.

I know it's shit but hang in there, things can change so quickly. Ditch the remedies and do active things to engage baby like walking, hip rotations/figure 8s on a ball, and going up and down the stairs sideways!

Good luck :)

No updates in two days? I think the baby arrived...

No baby yet @Thankyouthankyoujellybean I'm still patiently waiting! Been for a walk today and trying to keep active, even if to just pass the time

I had a greasy chippy tea and my back labour started about 2 hours later, I was also 6 days overdue

Oh, boo, sorry @Pitstop1986