42 weeks and 3 days pregnant today

Siffee

I am planning a home birth and today I am 42 weeks and 3 days pregnant.  The past 2.5 weeks, I have had such a huge array of emotions.  It's been a really calm time at home, but psychologically quite challenging.  One minute I am grateful for these last few weeks of getting to spend time with my husband and daughter, the next minute I am crying and wondering if there is something "wrong" with my body and thinking I may never go into spontaneous labor on my own.

I have the best team of HB midwives that I could ask for and they are very excited that I am still pregnant. They rave about how strong the baby will be when she arrives.  They talk about her brain development while she is inside of me.  I had a biophysical profile on Monday and everything is totally healthy with the baby, placenta, and amniotic fluid.  The baby's estimated weight was 9 pounds (my first baby was 9.5 lbs., 8 days past EDD). 

I have tried many natural induction methods, including 8 acupuncture sessions, chiropractic, massage, moxibustion, acupressure, lots of walking, hiking up and down hills in the very cold snow, sex...etc.  I know that the nothing can force the baby out and I for the most part I trust that she will come when she is ready.  It's just very, very difficult at times.

If you have any words of wisdom or encouragement, I would greatly appreciate them!

christina627

I was in the same boat.  I went 23 days past EDD.  I was planning a homebirth too.  We went in at 22 days and had an BPP.  It turned out 50/50, but I think they monitored until they found something to say it was bad...it was supposed to take an hour and they monitored for 4 hours.  They induced with 1 unit of PIT and 3 hours later my water broke and 6 hours later my baby was born...in the hospital, but totally healthy and strong. 

I still have the same fear that I will never go into labor on my own, but my MWs were saying that with the next one, I'll go earlier and really fast.  Good luck!

pinksweetpea2

Bless your heart.  I had Lily at 43 weeks and I totally know where you are at right now.  It was SO hard but I am SO glad I waited and let her come when she was ready.

My story is in my bio if you want to read it.  

 

Best wishes! 

nate_and_britt

I completely understand your array of emotions.  I was just there myself!  DS was born at exactly 43 weeks.  Waiting was harder than the actual labor!  Stay strong, and your LO will be here in due time.  You're doing all the right things, you know your body can do this, and LO will come when ready.  

pinksweetpea2

nate_and_britt:

I completely understand your array of emotions.  I was just there myself!  DS was born at exactly 43 weeks.  Waiting was harder than the actual labor!  Stay strong, and your LO will be here in due time.  You're doing all the right things, you know your body can do this, and LO will come when ready.  

Congrat fellow 43 weeker!   

thebigmare

I was just talking to a girl at work today who said that she and her 3 siblings were ALL A MONTH LATE!! Her mama just takes longer to bake her healthy babies. I think she said that they were all around 9 lbs. I just find it amazing that her ob or mw let her go to 44 weeks. Nowadays, it seems so unheard.

Hang in there mama. I'm sure your LO will be worth the wait!!

 

SillyJilly0

Wow.  I so admire you.  DS was a week late and I remember the wait being torture.  Hang in there. 

Just remember that 40 weeks is an average.  Some women/babies need less time, some need more time, nothing about this is an exact science.  As long as all looks healthy, then let the little one keep developing and keep listening to your body.  I promise, you will NOT be pregnant forever!  Good luck!