How to Deal with Being Pregnant and Past Your Due Date

How to Survive Being Overdue When Pregnant

By margaret, published Oct 21, 2007
Published Content: 82  Total Views: 30,646  Favorited By: 2 CPs
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Your due date has come and gone. But there is no new baby snuggled up in your arms just yet. Plus, your phone keeps ringing with concerned but annoying calls from family and friends. Your back aches and your feet are swollen. You know that you will be having your baby soon, but that knowledge can be of little comfort when you are physically so uncomfortable. Here are some ideas that might (or might not) help you get through these last few days of waiting for baby.

Take the phone off the hook.

At least for a little while. Give yourself a break from well wishers and curious friends calling to find out if baby has arrived, or the latest word from the doctor. Even though you know they are just concerned and interested, the constant asking will probably just annoy you right now. So, let people know you will CALL THEM, if anything happens. When labor does start, it is a good idea to plan on having one contact person whom you can notify and then that person can make the rest of the necessary calls to family and friends.

Try and Rest

This is much easier said then done. I know, I have been in this place myself a couple of times. But at least try. It is true that when baby does come, you will be wishing you could have some more time to rest and sleep a little. If you are too uncomfortable to sleep well at night, which is probably the case right now, then try little catnaps during the day.

Take a walk

Walking is good for you and your body, as it gets ready for labor. Some believe that walking itself may help bring on labor if you are overdue. But do not over exert yourself trying to get labor started. Just walk for the exercise and to relieve stress and anxiety.

Treat yourself

Go out for that hot fudge sundae. Have a bowl of popcorn, or order in some yummy chow mein. Whatever you are craving, indulge and treat yourself. You deserve extra special pampering, and now is the time for it. After you have the baby, pampering time for yourself will be hard to come by, so go for it now while you are still pregnant.

Talk with your doctor

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
 
 
Actually, in terms of inducing for "post-dates", this is considered a less-urgent reason for induction and should really only be done if the mother is 41 weeks plus 5 days (unless there is a compelling reason to do so sooner). If the mother and doctor decide not to induce, the mother should have ultrasounds done twice a week (if she goes over 42 weeks) to check amniotic fluid volume and if she goes into labour after 42 weeks, she should be on continuous fetal monitoring.

Posted on 06/02/2008 at 7:06:30 PM

 
I agree, with Jennybeans! Give or take a couple of weeks is quite normal

Posted on 03/26/2008 at 9:03:40 PM

 
This is fabulous! My first baby was 9 days late and I kept reminding myself that the "estimated due date" is totally arbitrary. The "40 week pregnancy" was established during the 1800's by a German obstetrician who noted that the length of a pregnacy from last period to birth was "about 10 month"- and bam! the 40 week period became the gold standard. Recent studies have shown that first time mothers allowed to go into labor completely naturally, do not go into labor until 41 weeks and 2 days! So really, women who go beyond 40 weeks aren't "late" at all!

Posted on 10/25/2007 at 5:10:00 AM

 
My son was born four days late and those are still the longest 4 days of my life! Nice article. :)

Posted on 10/22/2007 at 6:10:00 PM

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