40 weeks and no contractions!?

Question

My due date was Feb 24th and I am having NO CONTRACTIONS, no signs or anything. THis is my first baby! Any ideas, or anyone else having this problem?

Answer 1

That is okay. Don't worry. If the baby doesn't come in the next few days the doctor will probably want to induce you.

Answer 2

This was just the way my first was. My due date came and went - no contractions. I don't remember any Braxton-Hicks. I was at 2cm 2 weeks before my due date, but that didn't mean a thing. My doctor (thank goodness) scheduled to induce at 41 weeks. The #1 son was so stubborn that even with pitocin nothing happened until they broke my water.

The waiting is the hardest part, but as others have said before me, sperm can help start labor as well as nipple stimulation.

Take care - you'll both do great!

Answer 3

FYI---my first at 41 weeks
my 2nd at 40 weeks
my 3rd--at 42 (almost 43) and had to be induced--I picked my due date for that one once I knew I would have to be induced--I opted for a weekend so my older kids could stay with grandma.

Usually at your 40th week appt, the dr will have you come in every couple of days to check on you, they may suggest stripping the membranes (that gets labor started sometimes), You can discuss with the dr about inducing. They may do an ultrasound to make sure baby has turned and is ready to deliver.

So just discuss everything with your Dr. and get ready because it could be any day now.

Answer 4

Your doctor will induce you before 14 days over at the most. This is common with your first. I went over 2 weeks then had to be induced 3 times! Go to your doctor and make sure you pay close attention to the baby's movements. You can also ask for a stress test for the baby to make sure everything is fine. Good luck!

Answer 5

Yup, I was induced at 41 weeks, turns out when she was born they figured her gestational age to be at 37-38 weeks. Had to do with the amont of lanugo and vernix. Your doctor will most likely induce you at 41 or 42 weeks. You could also try things like nipple stimulation as it can release natural oxytocin (the hormone released to induce labor) but be very careful because it can overstimulate the uterus.

Below is a link to a site that talks about it:
http://www.birthingnaturally.net/cn/technique/nipple.html

Answer 6

With my first, I carried until 43 weeks. I think that a lot of doctors will try to induce you before then, but it's entirely up to you as to whether or not you want to be induced. I was, and I wish that I had gone at it naturally.

If you're ready to have him out, though, let them do it.

I would try to do a lot of walking and have a lot of sex first, though, before I would resort to induction.

Answer 7

itsnormal in first pregnancys to go over ur due date, u may need to be induced but also contractions most fo the time dont show signs before hand, atleast thats what im told, i was induced

Answer 8

It's a very common thing to go past 40 wks. Your doctor should not let you go much past 41 wks then he should induce you if nothing happens before then.

Answer 9

have unprotected sex, the sperm acts as a sort of lubricant that can make your cervix ripen and make it softer... and just walk walk walk... dont get too worried the longest you could have to possibly go is 2 more weeks and your doctor should induce labor, which he might do before 42 weeks anyway, hope everything goes well!

Answer 10

First babies are notorious for being late. In fact, your doctor probably won't consider you 'overdue' for another week or two.

To speed things along, you could try walking, sex, and nipple stimulation. These are known to help encourage labor, but in general, you just need to wait it out.

As long as your baby is still passing his/her kick counts, you're both fine. Hang in there--you'll be holding your little one before you know it!!