40 + 11 days pregnant AAARGH

[wannaebemum1]

I'm sure this is quite a common thread, however I just don't know what to do anymore. I am booked to be induced on MOnday but I am so desperate for baby to arrive on its own accord before then. I've tried all the old wifes tales but don't know what to do. Had a membrane sweep on wednesday but midwife said my cervix was still thick and external OS closed!! Doesn't even sound like I am close. Only 1/5 engaged. First baby. My dates were 100% accurate so I cant even use that excuse.

Anyone have any ideas?

I would get your hubby to take you out for a bloody nice dinner tomorrow lunchtime/night and have at least one large glass of wine!

Get an appointment to get your haircut on Sunday (and your roots done if applicable). And a manicure. Book tickets to see a film in the evening and a table at your favourite local restaurant afterwards - all this in celebration of the fact that you will not be able to do any of it again for heaven knows how long.

The instant you put the phone down from making the last booking you should go into labour.

More seriously, good luck and enjoy your weekend, whatever happens.

dont worry about it, seriously try and enjoy it. Im 7 days overdue now, everyone assumes i am getting fed up but i am enjoying having the time as much as poss. I already have a 21mnth DD.
The baby will come when ready, 11 days does seem like a long time over, but the dates they give you arent that accurate. Babies dont come with a 'ready in exactly 40 weeks' timer on them.
lots of luck, baby will be here soon enough.

Can sympathise my first was 11-12 days overdue too! unfortunately nothing would bring him on. Just try to relax and do something really nice for yourself - your last day of peace and quiet!! Best of luck on monday! Post later with the good news!

i went into labour after a long walk - they say a pebbly beach, bumpy ground is good. you've probably tried all this, but just in case. btw - i know the thought of a long walk is not enticing (I went with a pg friend and we both had to keep stopping to pee!)

also, I went to a aqua-robics class for pg women. It was on a Wednesday and I know more women went into labour on Wednesday nights after the class - so jumping around in a swimming pool (if you feel up to it) might help.

good luck for Monday

go for a really long walk I did this with both of mine it worked and went into labour that night....like a 2 hour walk I went to a shopping centre!! good luck and I hope your baby comes naturally and quickly!

Big big sympathies Wannabe - am also 40+11 with my first (and am also 100% sure of my dates so absolutely no possibility of 2 Mar not being the right EDD) so know your pain and frustration. Am also booked for an induction starting Mon night.

Aside from long walks & sex (both recommended by the midwives I've seen in the past week) another good one is a bit of acupressure to try and help ripen the cervix (the point on your inside ankles) and getting your hormones going (the point at the base of your thumb) - you can get some tips on youtube. Another easy one to apparently help ripen the cervix is evening primrose oil - I've been taking mine orally but you can also insert it vaginally (I did start like this but it was a little goey for my taste). Nipple stim is v popular post-term tip on MN, but I've done some research and the optimum seems to be 15 min on each nipple for an hour a time, for up to 3 hours a day, using a breast pump - it sounds like a hassle but I have managed hours of it this week...to no avail! I can no longer be arsed with it to be honest.

Don't worry about what your midwife said about your cervix and baby's engagement - it changes rapidly at this stage. I've now made a decision to actually enjoy my last days of being pregnant, as I'm convinced baby won't be arriving before induction (I've had 3 sweeps in the past week, am 2-3cm with a mid positioned & soft cervix, lost all of my mucous plug overnight on Wed and tried more old wives tales than I have time to tell you and still not a twitch or cramp to indicate anything is happening!). So I've let it all go and am actually genuinely enjoying myself! This time next week we'll both be mums - the end is definitely in sight!

Sorry for the ramble, but I really do understand a bit about how you feel - I was planning a home birth so have had to totally get my head around a different scenario than I'd anticipated.

Let me know how you get on

good luck wannabe and caitni! good advice about enjoying the last few days before baby comes.

Agree with everything Dilysprice says, book a haircut, massage, nice meal out etc chances are baby will come before you get the chance to enjoy it all and if not at least you get to spoil yourself.

I have tried everything in the past to get babies to shift and IME nothing works. I fully expect to go overdue this time as well and am doing nothing this time. In the past I have tried reflexology, essential oils, pineapple, sex, walks, curry, the nipple thing, lucozade (!) and was still sodding pregnant at the end of it.

This time next week though you will have a beautiful baby no matter what.

Just remember that the longer they are in there the better for the baby. The lungs are getting stronger everyday and the baby will be more than ready. Good luck tomorrow