41 Weeks and Going Crazy! Advice?

Question

I'm going crazy! I'm 41 weeks with my second child and just came back from the doctor today. I was told it may be yet ANOTHER WEEK! I know there a dozen things to do to get "things going" but they said the cervix was still firm and the baby still wasn't low enough. If I induced with say, castor oil, it wouldn't do anything since "my body isn't ready."
I'm no stranger to being over due, my first child was nearly 2 weeks late. I guess my question is: What can I do to not be miserable?! I guess I should be happy that everything is ok, but I was really hoping to have him around for the Holidays. I'm so uncomfortable and upset... I'm afraid of going to 42 weeks and then having to be induced and have my baby at the hospital. (I plan to have a homebirth and the midwife only delivers at home between 38 and 42 weeks).
I just want to cry... Thank you to anyone who has read my "complaint" and to anyone with good advice on getting through this, especially during the holidays...

Fyi, I'm only worried about induction because I induced (with Castor Oil) with my first and it was HORRIBLE! I ended up in the hospital with a doctor who, nastily, threatened a C-section.
I agree - whatever it takes for a healthy baby - but I think it would be easier to wait if I knew things would be ok. It would also be easier to wait if I wasn't so uncomfortable! Thanks again everyone!

Another note: THANK YOU to all of you for your answers - they're all "the best." If I was looking for a sign, this would be it: A March of Dimes commercial came on about premature babies and I thought: Thank goodness my baby is ok and maybe my due date WAS wrong so, who knows.
The midwife I had with my first child was amazing. Sadly, she's not delivering babies anymore (malpractice insurance) but one thing I like about some doctors/midwives, they tell their clients their due date is a week later then it really is. I think it saves women from going crazy.
I just keep thinking: It could be worse... Thanks to everyone for their support and kind words.

Answer 1

Pamper yourself. It is normal for women to deliver anywhere from 38 weeks to 42 weeks, so just let things happen as they will. Your baby is very warm and loved where he is even though you aren't feeling so comfortable. I have four children and I remember that impatient, OMG, I can't take one more day of this feeling but in reality, I could. If it is any encouragement at all my forth baby was due on July 21 and I went to the doctor on July 20th only to have him tell me that I was not dilated or effaced and it would be one to two more weeks before I delivered. I went home so upset knowing I couldn't make it for two more weeks. My beautiful baby girl arrived at 10:10 pm on July 20. Just because your body isn't showing any signs right this minute doesn't mean it won't be ready in the next minute. Hugs to you and your family.

Answer 2

When I was married to my ex husband, he was in the military. Never saw the same doctor twice. With 2 of my children, I ended up 44 & 45 weeks before someone got concerned enough to induce labor. 11 months is a long time to carry a 10 lb baby, so I feel for you.

Advise: Try to move around as much as possible. Sitting around eating all the holiday goodies will just prolong the misery. Go for walks.
When you are this late, it is a good thing to have your child in a safe hospital environment. Too much can go wrong.

I got lucky. I had 5 kids and only 2 were 11 mth ones. My last one I had on the day I said I would, even though my Dr. said the day before that it would be another 2 weeks.

Best wishes to you. Let us know what you had and if things went ok.

Answer 3

When I had my son I was 9 days "over due". I was sent into the hospital on a Sunday night and they inserted a medicine up to my cervix. I had to stay laying down for 1 hour. My doctor told me that it would either put me into labor, make me dilate or do nothing (At the time I entered the hospital I was 95% effaced and not even dilated to a 1). An hour later I was a 3 and having hard contractions.

Anyway, once he was born the nurse looked at him and said that my due date was off because he did not show any signs of being a baby that was 9 days late.

I was miserable too, but for the health of your baby, if you aren't ready then it is best not to induce.

PS. I also have a friend that was just induced and the baby ended up being 6 wks early (she is ok), and the doctor says the sonogram showed that she was further along.

Answer 4

I was induced at 41 weeks 1 day with my daughter. I went into L&D at 7am on 12/12/06 Tuesday, they did my vitals, hooked me up with a Saline iv. Then about 830 they started a pitocin drip and gradually increased it every half hour or so until i was having good contractions. I didn't have any strong contractions until 1130am. They then came in and broke my water about 1pm. I started pushing about 350pm and I had my daughter at 404pm. The contractions didn't really build up they just kind of all hit at once which I am told was because of the pitocin, but it wasn't bad. I had some stadol for pain, I tried to get an epidural but they couldn't get it in and then by the time they poked me 10 times for that I was fully dilated and ready to push anyways, I guess having to sit there and relax made me dilate the other 2 cm. As hard as this is but relax during labor I honestly believe it helps everything open up faster, my opinion of course!

Answer 5

DONT DO CASTOR OIL!!!! I did it when I was a week over due and it was horrible experience that included the runs and vomiting (two things that I didnt have in my previous labours).
I suggest trying to have sex including having an orgasm. Also try to stay lieing down after the sex that way the semen can help soften the cervix. I would also suggest walking to help bring the baby down. The other thing is go to a health food store and get black or blue cobhash. I have heard it works wonders for softening the cervix. You can also get rasberry leaf tea there. Personally it didn't work for me (I took it daily from 3 months on) but it won't hurt and it doesnt taste bad.
Good Luck!!!

Answer 6

I guess what I have to say really isn't an answer just words of encouragement. I went to 42 weeks and had to be induced. It wasn't fun, but the important thing is to have a happy and healthy baby by "whatever means nessesary" So just know that many women have been in your position and child birth just like pregnancy never goes like you "expected" it too.

Good luck and God bless

Taren

Answer 7

Induction is not a big deal, it may not be how you pictured things going but you want the baby safe. You are aware of the complications of not inducing labor. Your baby can get very ill if they don't induce by 42 weeks. I'm sure you are aware because of the first pregnancy. You have to think of the baby's safety, Not your preference.

Answer 8

Oh I am so sorry! It's not uncommon for women who deliver late to always deliver late. Some things to try:
Sex
Nipple stimulation
Pressure points (Press on inside of ankle and about 4 in. above)
Inserting evening primrose oil capsules near the cervix
Pineapple
Cinnamon Tea (make it yourself- steep cinnamon sticks in hot water for a few minutes)
Ask your midwife to "strip your membranes" (it hurts)
Sex is the best way.
Good luck!

Answer 9

I have plenty of experience with this. My wife was early with all of our children. Our secret, stay sexually active. It really works well! If you can't do much, tell you husband to step up to the plate and take charge. Worse case, you feel good for a short period of time afterwards. But, from what I have read and my own experience, you can't beat sex to induce labor. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 10

Hey sweet heart I feel ur pain.I am 32 wks. I would say just do a little more exercise like more walking. They normally say that an increase in activities or sex can trigger contractions. But I am happy you are doing fine otherwise .Dont stress over that too much he will be here when he wants to be .Its his moment not yours. Good Luck mam.