Overdue and worried

[Heaven]

So today I'm 8 days overdue. And it doesn't feel like the baby is ever going to come out. And now I'm worried about what happens to the baby when it's overdue. I only started worrying yesterday and it's probably linked to the fact that we just got some really bad news about someone else in our belly buddies group who lost their baby So we're all feeling a bit shaken and worried I think.

But the thing is the hospital think I'm only 5 days overdue. Which is good because of less pressure for induction but then that worries me because they will leave it longer before they get worried and what if they miss something and something is wrong!!

There's no sign of anything being wrong, baby is still kicking around HEAPS! Had an appt with my midwife this morning and they said baby was in best position for birth and hb was good, BP fine. Am seeing them again on Monday (13 days overdue according to me, 10 according to them), is that too long?? If nothing's happening by then they're going to do a S&S. I've tried all the natural induction stuff including acupuncture for the last 2 days and nothing has made anything happen And now I'm worried that my worrying will even stop me going in to labour, it's a vicious circle!!

And then MIL calls to tell DH this morning to be careful and not to leave it too long coz it can be dangerous for the baby you know. Thanks, not helpful!!!!

Just had to get that out, thanks guys.

[~Trish~]

Your bub is going to be OK SJ . I can understand why you are freaking out after the sad news you got yesterday. How about I send up some prayers for you that you go into labour tonight

[V21]

Heaven, I'm sure everything will be fine.... If bubs is still moving about heaps and your BP and CTG readings are all good I'm sure you'll be fine..... You'll probably go into labour over the weekend and all will be fine..... It's obviously not a long weekend where you live, I was gonna say that the docs would love that!!!! Good luck.....

[Pandora]

generally, there is not more risk in haveing a bub at 42 weeks than at 38. This is both what I have read, and what I've discussed with my midwife.

You can ask to have u/s to monitor placenta function and they should be able to provide that for you or refer you to have it done.

If you are wanting to try natural induction methods there's an article on the main BB site too.

ETA: DS was 10 days o/d. I did have an induction but i think the accupuncture and the stretch and sweep helped too.

[ubba82]

Oh you poor thing! I know exactly what you are going through. I was 12 days over with DD and 13 days over with DS. Both resulted in an induction.

Back in the day, I guess maybe there were more problems with births, but with todays technology there isnt much chance of something going wrong. Thats why we get so many checkups towards the end and even more when we go overdue. How come the hospital thinks you are less than you are?

If this is your 1st bubs it is common to go overdue. As for MIL, she is probably getting anxious about the bubs aswell - its a new grandchild for her too!

Just keep up with gentle exercise, practise your breathing. Sex and nipple stimulation apparantly can help to bring on labour but really, bubs will come when s/he is ready!

Good luck, hope to see your birth anouncment within the week!

[Arimeh]

SJ - I don't know if you remember my story? 14 days overdue and there was a problem with both the placenta and the cord. So she had to come out asap. But they do send you for a wellbeing scan - and if you are worried - request one. Better to have your mind put at ease so you can relax and have this baby on its birthday!

[amberj]

Try not to worry (yeah, right!). I was in the same position- hospital thought I was about 3 days behind where I believed I was. Try to remember that a normal pregnancy is anywhere up to 42 weeks- that is NORMAL (esp for 1st time). I was ten days over and I freaked out too, so I know how scary it is. As long as bubs is moving and all else is fine, everything will be fine. It is quite rare (and terribly, terribly tragic for your belly buddies friend) for something to go wrong at this stage.

Big hugs. I still look back and think that those 10 days I was "overdue" were really, really hard. Treat yourself nicely, pamper yourself if you can- not only because you don't get as much of a chance after bubs come, but because waiting is definately very hard and you deserve a treat. Or several. (heck, take advantage of being able to eat faaaar too many chocolate biscuits because "its for the baby").

[Jahzara]

lots of and for you !

Take care

xx

[Inertia]

DD1 was born 14 days overdue, as far as the hospital would let me go before they pushed for induction. It was spontaneous, but pre-labour started at 12 days overdue, so they were not rushing as things were happening.

Angie had a few signs of overcooked, peeling skin, and the placenta was ready to start breaking down, but she was perfectly fine. Its the placenta that can cause the problems, and I am sure if you express your concerns they will monitor it and make sure you dont put baby at risk.

I started thinking Angie was never going to come and my mum had come on 2 weeks holiday to see us starting on her due date. She only just got to see baby and went back home the very next day. Make plans. Babies love messing with them!

[Heaven]

Thankyou everyone!!

Trish- Thankyou

V21- no, not a long weekend, lol.

rayray- thankyou, reading that about the risk makes me feel better.

ubba- they're going by dates from the first u/s but I think they're wrong because I was charting and also I tested early so if it was 3 days earlier it would have been too early to get a positive so I'm sure my date is more accurate.

Arimeh- Yeah, I do remember your story. When did you go for the scan? I'm scared that b/c they don't think I'm as far along they won't send me for a scan yet and my midwife isn't on thurs or fri. She's going to ring me on Sat and make an appt for Mon. Maybe when she rings I can ask to see her earlier for the S&S and just to put my mid at ease.

amber- lol, now I'm scared of eating too much chocolate and fatty stuff and going even more overdue and then the baby will be huge, hahaha. Although that's not stopping me, lol. Trying very hard to relax.

Inertia- thanks for sharing!! Makes me feel better and like I'm not the only one who has ever felt this way, lol. Feels like it's never going to happen.

[~Kaz~]

SJ - massive for you hun. I know almost exactly how you feel (although I am not overdue yet) but I think we're all a bit extra worried after what has happened.

I agree with the others - see if you can get a scan to check the placenta/cord/amnio fluid levels etc just to put your mind at rest. Do they know that you have earlier dates for yourself? Normal is until 42 weeks and your labour will start at some point.

All we can do is try to relax (easier said than done) because worrying might be counter-productive.
Can you get DH or supportive friends to try and distract you?

Can't wait for your post that labour is underway!

ETA: snap SJ!!

[alioops]

Hun, Tracey's little girl is not likely to have passed due to being overdue. I have just read your belly buddies thread, and noticed that Tracey's last post included higher BP and swelling, which are indicators of PE. PE does affect the placenta, which is why most PE are induced early or medically needed caesers. Tracey's bub also needed to be on a ventilator. Unfortunately she is one of those rare cases where something has gone wrong, and until Tracey comes online and is ready to share her story, we won't know what caused her to have such a short life. But I can certainly understand how you are feeling!!

My thoughts and prayers also go to Tracey and her family at this time

SJ, Follow your insticts, get a scan to reassure you, and if you notice anything out of the ordinary (like swelling) then get investigated. Let your MW know that a friend has recently lost her baby at 1 day old and you really need some reassurance. Your baby is just fine hun, but quite comfortable. They are the only ones that know when they are ready to come out.

[~mamaspice~]

Hi Heaven, I know you must be so anxious to meet your bub right now but just try and remember that you are not REALLY classed as overdue until 42 weeks. Like Mel said if you are worrying and would really like to put your mind at ease ask for a wellbeing scan. DO you have a good GP you could go and see? Perhaps they could give you a referal for a scan at a medical imaging facility if you didn't want to wait for the hospital visit on Monday.

[Arimeh]

Arimeh- Yeah, I do remember your story. When did you go for the scan? I'm scared that b/c they don't think I'm as far along they won't send me for a scan yet and my midwife isn't on thurs or fri. She's going to ring me on Sat and make an appt for Mon. Maybe when she rings I can ask to see her earlier for the S&S and just to put my mid at ease.

I had my scan at 13 days over.

[Heaven]

Kaz- Yeah they do know I have earlier dates but they're just going by theirs. I think I just need to stop thinking about what might happen too and focus on now. Now I am 8 days overdue and that is not heaps! That is average for first time mums. If still nothing by Saturday then I will talk to my midwife when she calls and tell her about my worries.

ali- Thankyou. Logically I know that Tracey's situation was different but it's just such a shock and makes you think that you just never know what can happen which is so scary. I love this little baby so much already, I just want it out here safe where I can see that everything is ok!! Thankyou for your reassurance, it really helps.

spice- thankyou, I'm trying to keep telling myself that!

[Snacks]

I'm not sure if this is an option for you, SJ, but given your worry, do you think you could pop in and see your GP and get a referral for a scan?
I'm not sure if you would have to pay for it, but your GP could request that they bulk bill and that it is necessary to check out placenta function.
It might be just what you need to keep your mind at rest.
In saying that, I am sure your baby is absolutely fine from what you've reported - lots of movements, your good BP & generally good health, I would think bubs is perfectly healthy and is just needing a little extra baking time.
But go for the scan if you think you need it.
ETA: Snap, Spice

[Maruschke]

SJ I understand your worry! But take comfort in the fact that all was perfectly well at your checkup. By the way...

I'm not sure if this is an option for you, SJ, but given your worry, do you think you could pop in and see your GP and get a referral for a scan?
I'm not sure if you would have to pay for it, but your GP could request that they bulk bill and that it is necessary to check out placenta function.
It might be just what you need to keep your mind at rest.
In saying that, I am sure your baby is absolutely fine from what you've reported - lots of movements, your good BP & generally good health, I would think bubs is perfectly healthy and is just needing a little extra baking time.
But go for the scan if you think you need it.
ETA: Snap, Spice

There is a place in Toowong that does bulk billed scans, it's on Coro drive just past the blue tower at toowong (i.e. closer to the city) called x radiology.

I hope you don't need the scan though and things start happening for you naturally in the next few days. Sending you labour vibes!

[Kitt3n]

honey go and have yourself an osteo massage, trust me xox