Time for an "exit strategy"

[AndiE]

So I'm 40w5d (having never gone past 39w6d previously) and it's starting to do my head in. I thought it was FIRST babies who took the longest to cook - not the third and - in my case - last baby!!

I've tried everything under the sun to get this bub to leave the building, but not much is working . I've tried:
- walking
- curry
- acupuncture
- moxa and acupressure
- DTD
- being on all fours (NO, not related to the above point!)
- power of positive thinking/visualisation

Last Sunday night I had about four hours of contractions on and off, but I went to sleep and they went away. I've had some vague period-type cramps since and lots of downward pressures/sensations.

At my last check at 40w, bub still wasn't engaged and GP said she could move him "up and down". She indicated it wasn't a problem that he wasn't engaged. I've never had a posterior/malpositioned bub before, so I'm not sure that's the "problem" either, although I'm doing what I can to try and keep bub in an optimal position (he moves around a bit with his back to the left and right of my tummy).

So any thoughts/ideas on how I can encourage this kid out? Perhaps I need to shine a torch up my clacker to show him the way out???

Logic is screaming at me to just be patient, but given I've had two spontaneous labours prior to EDD I'm a little confuddled as to why this bub is taking so darn long to make his appearance. I've got a hospital appointment on Tuesday (note: hospital has my EDD at 17 Aug, not 14 Aug) and I want this little boy out before there is any talk of medical induction.

[onthefly]

Ah, he's not really late yet
It must be extra frustrating when you were expecting a shorter gestation again, though.
It sounds like you're already doing all the right things. Perhaps you could make some lovely plans to do something special and pampering. He'll probably decide to ruin your day out.

[shan23]

It sounds like you're already doing all the right things. Perhaps you could make some lovely plans to do something special and pampering. He'll probably decide to ruin your day out.

that is what i was going to suggest. We organised a BBQ with friends for when I was 2 days over my due date, and we had to cancel as I went into labour at 5.30am that morning

[~clover~]

With all mine we had plans of some kind. DD1, 8 days over, ex was due to work his first weekend doing stock take. Good money!
DD2 I was having my sister stay over.
DS, was invited to a BBQ, I told them I wouldn't be there, coz I planned to be in labour that day... I was
DD3 we just enjoyed lunch out & were fishing for the afternoon with IL's & a friends DD. We had to leave early. She's lucky, IL's were leaving the next morning & had been there waiting a week for her to arrive!

I'd also done alot of walking, or shopping the day/day before labour started too.

Mine got earlier... 41+1, 41, 39+5... then DD3 threw me out at 40+5. Must be a girl thing

[AndiE]

Well, if bub was going to wreck plans, it SHOULD have happened last week DH had to work through a public holiday on Wednesday, then he managed a big stocktake on Friday/Saturday (he did politely ask me if I could delay labour till after Saturday ). Plus I've already done the did the pampering routine the week before last.

Nope girls. I think this little fella just wants to stay put for a bit longer - dammit!

[*Magnum*]

I know how you feel all mine have been "over due" it's very frustrating you say I will wait for nature to do its thing - but it's very hard to do. I would say have a nice HOT but not too too hot bath then do a load of cleaning washing pegging it out. Scrubbing the floors on all fours. Sweeping the stairs with a dust pan and brush then hoovering - cleaning windows helps then just chill 2/3 times this worked wonders for me it's like the baby can't take a relax, work, relax thing and by later on you will be so tired you wont want to go into labour lol then it will happen x

[onthefly]

Doh.
Well mine were both 42+ so I'm not likely to be any help to you.

[AndiE]

Ha ha, MadB ... you're always a help

[LionsandBears]

Have you cleaned behind the fridge? What about the skirting boards or the light fittings?

It looks like you've tried everything else except a big cry. Hope he arrives soon.

[onthefly]

Oh yes. And, at worst, at least the light fittings will be clean

[AndiE]

It looks like you've tried everything else except a big cry. Hope he arrives soon.

Ha, tried that too L&B, but my big fat cry led to big fat nuthin'.
Might have to clean behind the fridge tomorrow though Think I'd rather the fridge than the light fittings gals ... now THAT would be the act of a desperate woman!

[Traveller]

I found expressing some milk then having a belly massage with clary sage worked well but only when baby was ready anyway.

[leesha]

Lol your post sounds like one I posted 14 weeks ago!! My number three didn't want to come out either and left me hanging to 41 weeks...
Not much more you can do and it's sounds like you have tried a lot! Your obviously comfy!! My little man had good timing though and was born 3hrs before I was due to be induced and all the previous weeks of pre labour paid off with only a 40minute labour good luck and hang in there!!

[*Magnum*]

My third Anne was born a couple hours before I was due to be induced went into about the day before - long labour

[HotI]

Get a massage. You don't really need a reason for a massage, but they are always nice. My labour started when i was driving home from the massage (at 41 weeks).

[AndiE]

Think I'm going to try clary sage next, though a massage sounds heavenly.
I have an Ob appt at the hospital tomorrow, so I guess if bub hasn't arrived I'll at least find out if my cervix is right to go (no reason why it shouldn't be), and I'll hopefully get a stretch and sweep, which might start some action.