Has anyone else felt like they were going to be pregnant forever...?

Question

I am 39 weeks and every week that I go to the doctor I leave disappointed. I am not dilated or even effaced at all. The baby dropped a few weeks ago, but there is no cervical change! The only thing that the doctor told me was not to worry because he wouldn't let me go over 41 weeks. That makes me feel like I am never going to go into labor. Has anyone been through this and how did you deal with the thought of being pregnant forever? I have been having some aniety attacks and not sure how to control them. Any advice on how to cope is very much appreciated!

Answer 1

Well, just remember that no pregnancy has ever lasted forever. You only have 2 weeks max left. Go for a walk, work on babys room, go shopping, manicure, pedicure, anything to get your mind off of this. Think about all those other women who are just finding out they are pregnant!! They have a LONG time to go!!!!

Answer 2

Sweetie, the average length of a first time pregnancy is 41 weeks and 1 day. Dilation and effacement mean nothing until you are in labour and here in the UK it's not routine to check for them until labour starts anyway. Your cervix is doing what it is supposed to do - keeping your baby in until it is ready to come out. Babies can easily go till at least 42 weeks and longer. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong. Have faith in your ability to go into labour and birth your baby. Don' let the doctor push you around or tell you what you can and can't do!

I know it's uncomfortable and frustrating at this stage but try to rest up now while you can. Very soon you'll be up all night and wishing you could put baby back in for a couple of hours to get some rest!! It's a wonderful thing to have a baby, ands what your body was designed for. Have faith, it will happen, you will birth your baby and it will be wonderful.

Good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 3

Aww I was exactly the same. And you see women all over the place who seem to be pushing their gorgeous newborns around in thier prams and it makes you wonder when your little one will make an appearance. But dnt worry! He or She will be here soon!
If you are feeling really desperate for your baby to show, you can try a few things to help the labour along. Drinking raspberry leaf tea can help (and also makes the pushing process a lot easier) Have sex, Eat spicy food, See a scary film that will make you jump, long walks, nipple stimulation, Eating pineapple etc....
To pass the time you could get the house busy for your little one. Tidy up, start preparing and freezing meals (because you won't have time to cook with a newborn) and generally getting everything ready. Or you could go to all the places you won't be able to go soon. Tiny, cute cafes that pushchairs would never fit through, the cinema, or even go to Mothercare and buy something new for the baby.
This way when the baby arrives, you'll have done some things that you wouldn't have been able to do. And will not find yourself aching to escape from your baby.

Hope your pregnancy goes well, and you have a nice easy labour! Good Luck! xxx

Answer 4

Samantha - I have been there...never fear ...the baby will come out. Even though you aren't showing any cervical changes those can happen in a matter of minutes. There is no recipe for effacement or dilation. Its a good idea to take walks to help move the baby down. Also, I have heard that semen can help to soften the cervix, even though you probably don't feel much like sex right now. Try warm baths and deep breathing to help yourself relax. I hope the baby comes on its own without waiting for induction. Good luck!

Answer 5

On a happy note, when i was 39 weeks pregnant with my son, i went to the doctor for my usual checkup. He said that I wasn't dilated or effaced at all, and the baby wasn't coming anytime soon. I went into labor about 5 hours later :) Everybody feels like the baby will never come at one pouint in their pregnancy. Don't worry about it, just let it happen :) Good Luck and congratulations :)

Answer 6

It does seem like it will last forever. I was dialated at 3 for 3 weeks. The first week I was dialated at three, I thought I would go very soon. Well, I didn't. I ended up being over due. The day I had her, the doctor checked me and still no change. I was scheduled to be induced two days later. Well, two days later never came, because I had her that night. It can go very fast at times.

When my mom had me, the day I was born the doctor checked her and she was not dialated at all. He said it could be two more weeks (she was already over due, and back then they let them go WAY OVER) Well, she had me a few hours later.

Don't be discouraged, It will happen. Try walking. That will help things get going.

Good Luck, and CONGRATS!

Answer 7

I was 1cm and 50% effaced from 37 to 40 weeks, and that didnt change until after 30 something hours of active labor. But I had my baby two days early anyway.

Everyone feels like they will be pregnant forever. But trust me, all it takes is a few hours and your cervix can drop, thin and open completely.

You wont be pregnant forever. i promise.

WALK WALK WALK.

Answer 8

Ha ha - I remember that feeling all too well.... I carried my twins to 37 weeks and was so big that I couldn't even sit... I gained 38 inches...
Take a deep breath, relax and keep yourself focused on the fact that the longer your baby is in your belly, the healthier he/she will be.
I was on house rest for over 2 months before my girls were born, I would read all sorts of books, watched lots of TLC and did research on the internet... if you're able, go to a spa for a manicure and pedicure - the relaxation from a trip to the spa is wonderful...
Good luck to you and your baby!

Answer 9

i have 3 kids and with each one i felt the same way, i thought i would be in ripley's believe it or not as the first woman to be pregnant for years! Every morning i would wake up and say this is the day i can feel it, then go to bed that night in tears. None of my babies ever dropped until labour started, i went into labour naturally with all of them. Try having sex it worked for me! Just remember that when those labour pains start you may change your mind and wish you had more time!

Answer 10

YES!.... i think that every pregnant woman feels this way... i have always said that the last two weeks of being pregnant was God's curse on women!!! Just remember that in less than two weeks you will be holding that perfect bundle in your arms and all of this pregnancy stuff will be forgotten!!! Your baby will be so worth the discomfort that you are experiencing now.... hang in there! sleep a lot now because it won't be as easy to sleep later!