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I went to the movies, relaxed, slept, and tried to do whatever I could that I knew I wouldn't be able to do with a newborn.

My care providers were really good about always referring to it as a due month (rather than a due date) and reminding me that barring any problems, 42 weeks was just as normal as 38 weeks.

It probably helped some, but, I'd had it in my mind that I would go into labor at 40w4d or 40w5d. When that day came and went, I did start to get a little stir crazy. Mostly I cleaned my house and tried to stay really on top of laundry and having a full fridge.

I was induced at 41+1 and I ended up having several "last" manicure/pedicures, went for a massage/facial, went out to dinner on weeknights or to non-kid-friendly places, etc. I also got acupuncture and went on a lot of long walks with my dog and husband -- both were relaxing, even if they didn't induce labor.

I've been thinking about you and feeling the same way! Since I had so many BH's and early warning signs of labor, I was positive my baby would come early but here I am at 40+3 with no progress since last week. I've been crying, eating date bars, walking/ doing chores that seem to trigger contractions. I'm so ready for her to be here and it's hard to go day after day with no baby. I did feel better once my induction was scheduled since I have an end in sight.

I worked up until I FINALLY went. It is frustrating. Hugs dear!
Try to maybe go do something for yourself, a massage, or a mani or pedi. Shopping.
Basically having been there, nothing really helps. I am sorry. Just try to find things to pass the time. I totally have pouting face right now for you because I understand. I know it doesn't feel like it will be soon enough, and that you have def waited your time and long enough. (((HUGS)))

@delight: I went 40+9 with DS
I watched TV
Went shopping
Ate out

Hugs. I am so happy to see you've made it this far! I really hope you get to give birth soon and hold that baby.

I felt your pain. So though I have no good advice, I'm sending you sympathy and hope your baby comes soon. I went 14 days over and cried on many of those days....physically I was fine. Super huge and pregnant, but felt fine and did throughout pregnancy. Emotionally though I was a basket case. I stopped work a week before my due date and wished I had worked another week to keep my mind off things.

Tried walking, castor oil shake, sex, sweeps..and ended up having to be induced. I tried to give my body every chance to kick into gear, but it was not happening or was starting to happen very slowly.

So maybe my advice is know that you're giving your body a chance to do things on its own and take comfort in that? My midwife said she didn't know many women that went past 41 weeks.

@delight: Oh, I have felt your pain! Isn't it crazy when there's a LONG journey to get pregnant (ETA: or getting one to stick!) and then a LONG journey getting them born?! So I went to 41w3d and finally agreed to be induced (DS still took his sweet time and came out at 41w5d). I worked until 40w6d, then there was a hurricane and a fender bender to contend with, so "staying very busy" would be my partial answer. I also walked many miles a day and did scupuncture and meditation....but honestly I don't know if there's a way to not go a little mad at this point. You're also likely contending with everyone else's expectations for when the baby should come! Reward yourself for small milestones but let yourself feel how you need to feel!! Good luck for a smooth delivery!! Hang in there until then!!!

I was due 10/13 with Ds and then was induced on 10/24. I did all the things you're doing, pineapple, walks, etc... But it didn't work. It didn't help that dd arrived on her due date and my family arrived in town arriving the day after my due date. I remember sitting at my desk at work trying not to cry over something so silly I can't even remember what it was now.

But Ds is 11 days old now (which coincidentally is the number of days I was late) and I can barely remember the waiting now, which is where you'll be too in only a few more days!

@delight: I totally understand the apprehension about induction. I felt the same way, especially the idea of being induced and going through labor but ultimately ending up with a c-section; I ended up with a really positive induction! I was scheduled for a Foley the night before they started pitocin (at 41/41+1) and then got bumped to the next morning because L&D was full. I had a nice little temper tantrum about that situation -- I totally (irrationally) felt like they were rubbing in my face that there were other "normal" people whose bodies could go into labor and mine couldn't! Anyway, I finally started my Foley and Pitocin around 10am the next day (bc L&D was so full, I had to switch rooms right before they got things started, so this was over 2 hours after I got to the hospital). They started pitocin at a level of 2 and I never got above a level of 10. I got an epidural just about halfway in at 5cm. I did end up pushing for 2 hours, but that is apparently the average for a first-time mom. The entire process took just under 13 hours start to finish which I felt wasn't that bad. Anyway, I was terrified of the induction process beforehand, it wasn't that bad, and I would totally do it again!

Good luck today -- I hope it's a smooth process and you get to meet your LO as soon as possible!

@delight: I had a very positive induction story. In fact, my birth experience this time (induction due to low amniotic fluid) was much more positive than my spontaneous experience from last time. The whole thing was done in 6 hours (after all that waiting, it was a pleasant surprise). I was worried about inducing because I'd read of the increased risk of needing a c-section but my doctor and nurses were great and in the end it was great to be able to make sure DS was squared away and content before checking in at the hospital. I'll be thinking about you and sending great thoughts!

@delight: chiming in with the other, I was really nervous about an induction too. Especially after having such a great birth with dd where I went into labor spontaneously and delivered naturally.

I was afraid I'd be in labor forever, need an epidural, and then wind up with a cesarean. But even though I arrived at the hospital still not dialated at all, they started pitocin at 4am and I delivered at 7am, once again natural. In some ways it was even easier than dd's delivery, so you just never know. Good luck!!

@delight: good luck tomorrow!

@delight: good luck today!

@delight: Good luck, mama! Almost there!