40 weeks pregnant and 3 days?

Question

i'm overdue by 3 days already, and haven;t experienced any bodily changes. the babys head has been positioned down for about a month now. but was told that i haven;t dropped yet, (by others) since i'm carrying high. I don't know whats going to happen. Whats going on, this is my first baby. So how will i know, that i'm going into labor. Also, i consumed alot of caffeine during my pregnancy (tried to cutdown) could that be the problem?

Answer 1

First babies are more likely then others to come late. You will know you are in labor!! Undoubtably. your abdomen and back will feel crampy with pains that come and go and get worse as time goes on. When they start to become regular in timing call your doctor and tell him/her how far apart they are. THey will let you know if you need to come into the hospital yet. If your water breaks go in to be checked for progress. It can be a gush or for some it's a uncontrollable dribble that keeps you changing your clothes every few minutes. You don't have to "drop" before you go into labor. It can happen during. Congrats and Many Blessings

Answer 2

NewMommy2007 ~ Like most have said here, you'll know sure enough when you are in true labour, there is no other feeling like it. It is also possible to have blood like mucus discharge within 2 weeks of your baby coming, or you might possibly feel your waters break before or after your contractions start.

I've had 3 children myself, and the only way i can possibly explain the feeling, is to say it kind of feels like an elastic band around your pelvic muscles.

Unless these "other people" are professionals, i'd advise you not to listen to them. Everyone has an opinion, unfortunately not many of them are based on facts. If you are truely concerned about something, best to ask a professional.

Your baby's due date is only an estimate, and you're not actually considered as over due till you reach the 42week mark.

Personally i don't think your caffine intake would have anything to do with you going past the 40week mark. Some babies like to come early, and some like to stay longer. I'm sure you won't have to wait much longer.

Wishing you all the best.

Oh and if you have any other concerns, why not join this great website, it's a fountain of knowledge, with many many members similar to yourself.

www.birth.com.au/forum

Cheers
kylie

Answer 3

The average length of gestation for 1st time moms is 41 weeks + 1 day. The average length of gestation for multips (those who have had more than one) is 40 weeks + 3 days. So, you are not really "overdue" yet! Hang in there.

Caffeine can cause problems, but will not stop you from going into labor.

Answer 4

First babies usually take their time more than later ones. They may have your due date off a little, or your baby may not be ready to be born. Your OB should be seeing you twice a week at this point and monitoring you closely for complications. Most OBs will induce if you don't go into labor naturally between 41-42 weeks. You will know when you go into labor, it's pretty hard to miss. Your doctor should check your station & dialation at each visit to monitor your progress (you can dialate a few centimeters and not feel anything dramatic).

Six Signs that Labor is Within a Few Weeks or Days:
1. Lightening: You can breathe again! This is an indication that the baby has dropped, settling deeper into your pelvis and relieving some of the pressure on your diaphragm, so you are not so short of breath. You may feel increased pressure on your bladder, which means more trips to the bathroom. Others may comment on your changed appearance, although you might not be aware of it at all.

2. Bloody show: Loss of mucus plug. During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus protects your cervical opening from bacteria entering the uterus. When your cervix begins to thin and relax, this plug is expelled. Some women think the plug will look solid like a cork, but it is actually stringy mucus or discharge. It can be clear, pink or blood tinged and can appear minutes, hours or even days before labor begins. Not all women notice this sign.

3. Rupture of membranes: Your water breaks! Only 1 in 10 woman experience a dramatic gush of the amniotic fluid and even then it usually happens at home, often in bed. Sometimes the amniotic sac breaks or leaks before labor begins. Your uterus is sitting directly on top of your bladder, which can cause you to leak urine. Sometimes it can be quite difficult to distinguish urine from amniotic fluid.

If your membranes have ruptured and you are leaking amniotic fluid, it will be an odorless fluid. This can occur with a sudden gush or a constant trickle. If you notice fluid leaking, you need to try to determine if it smells like urine or if it is odorless. If it does not seem to be urine, you would want to contact your health care provider.

Until you see your physician or midwife do not use tampons, have sexual intercourse or do anything that would introduce bacteria to your vagina. Let your health care provider know if the fluid is anything other than clear and odorless, particularly if it's green or foul smelling, because this could be a sign of infection.

4. Nesting: Spurt of energy. For most of your pregnancy you have probably been fighting the urge to take a nap, so you'll know when you experience this. One day you will wake up feeling full of energy! You'll start making a long list of things to do, things to clean, things to buy and everything you've put off doing will become a high priority. In all your preparations, don't forget that “Labor Day” may be just around the corner so save some energy.

5. Effacement: Thinning of the cervix. Usually in the last month the cervix begins to stretch and thin. This process means the lower segment of the uterus is getting ready for delivery. A thin cervix will also allow the cervix to dilate more easily.

Your health care provider may check for effacement in the final 2 months of pregnancy. Effacement is measured in percentages. You may hear your helath care provider say,“You are 25% effaced, 50% effaced, 75%...” The Braxton Hicks contractions or “practice contractions” you have been experiencing may play a part in the effacement process. You will not be able to determine your effacement process, this can only be done by a health care provider. exam.

6. Dilation: Opening of the cervix. Dilation is the process of the cervix opening in preparation for childbirth. Dilation is measured in centimeters or, less accurately, in “fingers” during an internal (manual) pelvic exam. “Fully dilated” means you're at 10 centimeters and are ready to give birth. In the same way that your health care provider may be checking for effacement in the last 2 months, your health care provider may also tell you how many centimeters your cervix has dilated.

One SURE Sign Labor is Really Happening:
Consistent Contractions: When you begin to experience regular uterine contractions, this is the strongest indication that you are in labor. This is the time to get your notebook to record the exact time each one begins and how long it lasts. These contractions feel like menstrual cramps or a low backache that comes and goes at 20 to 30 minute intervals. Gradually, the aching or cramping becomes stronger and lasts longer. When your contractions are consistantly 5 minutes apart, it's time to call your health care provider.

Labor Contractions Have the Following Characteristics:
They are regular
They follow a predictable pattern (such as every eight minutes)
They become progressively closer
They last progressively longer
They become progressively stronger
Each contraction is felt first in the lower back and then radiates around to the front or visa versa
A change in activity or position will not slow down or stop contractions
There may be bloody show
Membranes may rupture
Your health care provider will notice cervical changes, such as effacement (thinning), or dilation

Answer 5

I doubt caffeine has anything to do with it. Try to relax. This is very normal. 40 weeks is just an estimate, it sometimes takes 42 weeks. Every pregnancy is different.

There are many indications that you have started labor once it happens, it's best to refer to your pregnancy book (if you doctor gave you one) or talk to your doctor.

For both of my girls my stomach would tighten for short periods of time and my back would ache. I had false labor at first. I knew it was real labor when the contractions were more consistent and happening more frequently.

Answer 6

Don't be concerned my first child was 4 days. Beginning of labor is different for everybody, my first son I lost my mucus plug and had him in my arms in 5 hours. My second son I had contractions off and on for almost a week and was still in labor 13 hours. My daughter was a month early. Your doctor will want to begin checking you daily or every other to check for signs, and if it goes beyond a week and half will consider inducing. Relax, and get some rest, he/she will come when they're ready. Good luck!

Answer 7

Waiting is so frustrating when you are so ready to be done with being PG. My 1st baby was 2 weeks over due. You will know you are in labor with the sharp pains that your abdomen or pelvic area is having or when your water breaks. (its not always a gush of water either) Your baby is just taking its time and its normal.

So in the meantime sit back and relax cause once your little one arrives you will be having many sleepless nights (and days lol)

Congratulations

Answer 8

I was like you. I was pregnant for more than 10 months, and there was no birth signal at all. I did the USG and there's no problem, but everynight my backbone was very hurt, like it was sawed, I cried every night because its hurt. My husband couldn't stand anymore, and I felt that there was something wrong with my baby. I asked my doctor, bu he told me that it was normal.

Since I couldn't stand for the hurt again, I decided to make the baby born. Doctor asked me to have induction, but my feeling told me no. And the doctor gave alternative to have caesare surgery, and I agreed. When the surgery time, and the baby has seen, doctor said that the baby was tied by placenta tail (i don't know the name), it made my baby couldn't down into right position.

Thanks to God, that there's nothing happen to my baby, and I decided the right way to born her. If I took the induction maybe my baby will died because the "placenta tail" could be cut off because off pull.

Hopefully you don't take the wrong way, because your decision will cause to your baby's life. Good luck.

Answer 9

trust me you will know when you are in labor. I consumed alot of caffeine when I was pregnant too but I doubt that's the problem baby's just not ready yet.

Answer 10

I don't think caffeine had anything to do with it. My first child was 43 weeks and perfectly healthy.
When you go into labor, you will know it, Believe Me! lol
Good Luck and try to be patient.