I am now 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant. Any tips for being overdue - exercises, things to eat...?

Question

Any advice on how to start labor would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

Walk, Walk, Walk, or you can try having sex. Both worked for me. Good luck, and Congratulations.

Answer 2

Oh dear- you are going to get a lot of theroies on this one.

Two of my babies were born at 42 + weeks (naturally, unmedicated, 7 lbs.) I only had one baby that was born on it's due date the rest were late. If baby is healthy I would worry about it. Eventually it will be born.

Sex is the most commonly suggested thing because it does contain hormones that naturally help get you ready for labor & start contractions. My mother swears by it- I didn't have much luck with it.

Cleaning- the nesting instinct- I tried cleaning everything in my house - still no babies.

Exercise- being in the upright position & moving around helps baby to "settle" down (thanks to gravity) into the pelvis if the time is right. (I did go into labor after doing some long walks with one of my children.)

Some people say spicy food- basically to cause stomach cramps which can in turn cause uterine cramps. Only works if spicy foods bother you. didn't work for me.

Some people say enemas-which also cause stomach/intestinal cramping/movement which can trigger uterine cramps.

Castor Oil- ONLY use under direct care of physician! cause the intestinal cramps, dirreaha, & uterine cramps.

Nipple sitmulation can also work- It will also help speed labor if you start to stall (either by hand or with a breast pump.)

Best thing that worked for me- give up on the due date- it's not an exact science anyway.) Resolve to be pregnant forever & baby will never be born. Only then did I go into labor. (LOL but it's true.)

I surely wouldn't consider an induction before 42 weeks. Please start researching inductions because that it what you are going to start hearing. Some of the meds can be very dangerous.

Answer 3

I know this doesn't answer your question, but the truth is that the average length of pregnancy, when women are left alone and not induced, is actually 41 weeks, 1 day. The 40 week thing was pretty much made up as a way to make pregnancy fit into a nice little box of 10 lunar months. Besides that fact, some babies need more time in the womb than others. If I were you, I wouldn't try to induce labor. The baby will come when it's finished developing in there.

Answer 4

I'm scheduled to be induced tomorrow (at 41 weeks), I don't know, I think it's frustrating trying to make labor happen, wishing it would happen, and then seeing no results.

I've come to the conclusion that my doctor gave me the best advice about all this overdue time: He said "just do whatever you need to to stay as comfortable as possible."

Answer 5

The most effective is sex.
Then there's eating spicy foods, taking a long walk, and sitting in a (moderately) hot tub or sauna.
There's also Castor oil - but I warn you about this - in MOST women, all this does is start horrible diarrhea. See, it's a natural laxative, and it stimulates movement in your intestine (which surround the uterus while pregnant), and in theory, will start movement (contractions) in the uterus. It's not always affective though, and it just ends up keeping mommy up all night with the squirts!
LOL ......
Good luck! I know you must be miserable!! Ugh!

Answer 6

SEX SEX AND MORE SEX. Personally I wouldnt want to be touched but this is a good wayt o get it to start. Walking is another good way. I played tennis while I was 3cm dialated and that didnt do anything for me. I would SLEEP!!!

Congrats and hope you have a easy labor and a perfect baby!!

Answer 7

You poor thing, I know how you feel. Ive heard spicey foods help some ( didnt for me) Lots of sex helps quite a bit and alough you may not feel like it try taking a long walk . Good Luck your little one will be here soon ;)

Answer 8

Walk...go around the block. I did that and it worked great. Went into labor that night. Let gravity help you out.

Answer 9

i have been having sex,currys and everything they say 2 get labor starting so far nothing has happened for me and am 3days over due so i gues ur baby will come when he or she wants 2 come out just like my baby
good luck

Answer 10

I usually started redecorating or moving furniture when I was that pregnant and it worked. My middle child I painted my whole kitchen and then went into labor. LOL!!!

Answer 11

Sex, nipple stimulation, walking, light exercise, leg massage, and pressure point stimulation can all be linked to stimulating labor. Good luck with the delivery.