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Overdue.. Or Perhaps Not...

40 weeks pregnant, due date, overdue, 40+5 weeks

Well I'm now 40 weeks and 5 days pregnant with no sign at all of my little boy - I just never expected that I would go over.. this little guy engaged weeks ago and I had signs of labour ever since. I'd always been adamant that I'd see him before the 40 week mark. 

My last appointment with my midwife was on Thursday, I'd built myself up thinking that she'd offer me a sweep or at the very least that she'd be able to check me and see if I was dilating or effaced at all. But she didn't do either of those things, telling me she just wasn't allowed until 41 weeks as this was my second baby. Apparently it's different for your first, which is why I was checked when pregnant with Ethan on my due date. They say that after your first your body should know what it's doing so there's no reason to check until you hit 41 weeks. I was pretty gutted to be told this and even had a few tears of frustration after my appointment. It sounds ridiculous, because at least I've got a healthy baby who I will eventually meet but no matter how many times I remind myself of that, I can't help feel frustrated. It's like life's on hold at the moment and is creeping by. My pregnancy flew past, but this week has sort of felt longer than the entire last nine months.. 

Another thing that's playing on my mind is that baby is already measuring around Ethans birth weight, which was a particularly large 9lb 9oz. I really struggled to get him out and ended up having a ventouse delivery. I lost so much blood which they think was most likely due to his weight, and it was all quite traumatic. I really wanted to avoid that this time, but the longer he stays inside the more he grows. I'm starting to worry about having to have a forceps delivery or even a c-section if he stays in much longer. I feel really anxious about both of these things and really want to avoid them. 

Something, however, did occur to me yesterday morning and that is that my original due date (where they go off of the date of your last period before the first scan) was actually in July - July 2nd (next Thursday), it was only at my dating scan that they said I was 10 days further ahead then I thought and brought my due date to June 22nd. Of course, we went along with it as that's how the professionals calculate when baby will be due, but perhaps that's why he's not made an appearance yet?! Of course, he might just be overdue.. tons of women go over and end up having sweeps or being induced. My own Mum never went into labour with any of her four children and had to be included.. with three out of four of us ending up being born by c-section. 

I'm really not sure when he's going to arrive, but I wake up every morning and even in the early hours of every morning hoping that I'll soon begin to feel contractions. If nothing happens this weekend, I have an appointment booked for Monday morning to have a sweep. I don't know what to expect at all and I don't know how likely it is to help start things off but I just hope that it'll do something. I've never thought about induction and so I don't really know what it involves, I just hope I don't get to that stage! 

 


16 comments

  1. I went over with William and those last couple of week are excruciating because you're just on hold waiting. If it does end in a c sec don't be worried or nervous, it's really not at all bad when you're going through it. Hopefully it won't come to that with you as you don't like the idea of it, just don't panic if it is what they suggest. It's honestly ok. X

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  2. I went overdue with my second and had a sweep at 4 days over. The sweep is fine a little uncomfortable but over very quickly and I went into labour the next day. Don't worry about having a bigger baby my second was smaller then my first even though she was measuring bigger on the scans and with my third I had a tiny bump and he was measuring small on the scans and he was my biggest baby. Also it really is true that second labours are easier probably because we know what to expect and are bodies have been through it before. Good luck and I am sure he will arrive soon and you will soon be meeting your baby boy and having precious newborn cuddles xx

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  3. I had a sweep with my second but I was already in early labor, it did move the contractions along though :) Hoping that your baby boy makes an appearance sooner rather than later!

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  4. Wishing you the best of luck! I'm sure he will arrive when he's good and ready x

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  5. I went over with Amelia and Harry. Had to be induced with Amelia it wasnt as bad as I thought tbh. I know lots do say its dreadful but I think because I was induced at 2 weeks late she was ready to come. Hope he comes on his own for you :) xx

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  6. I just wanted to say that I had forceps and a ventouse delivery with my daughter along with an episiotomy and I'm sure it will all be fine 😘

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  7. I hope he arrives soon and hopefully on his own!

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  8. I am hoping for a birth announcement soon! Thinking of you lovely x

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  9. Come on little man :)! I do always wonder about due dates and how they can change. It's funny isn't it. Really hope you aren't waiting much longer and you have a smooth labour xx

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  10. My advice is cry in the appointment rather than after. They feel sorry for you then :)
    I hope it's soon for you xx

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  11. I am 40 weeks and 1 day pregnant today with baby number 3 and I am booked in for a sweep tomorrow and another one in 3 days if first doesn't work. Strange they didn't want to do sweep in your situation... I wasn't sure if I wanted to have it myself, but midwife said she recommends it, so I agreed... My pregnancy is on www.mylifemypassion.co.uk

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  12. As much as due dates are great for us mums, babies don't care do they? They'll just arrive when they are ready. I was induced with both of mine and I would love to have not had to go through an induction and have the excitement of waters breaking at home etc. I had to be induced as I was at risk of developing cholestatis of the liver. It isn't a bad experience but it just means you can't be as free as you might be if you had gone in to labour naturally. Fingers crossed this little one makes an appearance soon!

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  13. Oh Alex, I hope baby makes his appearance soon, you must be feeling fed up, especially with this weather - I'm uncomfortable and I'm only 34 weeks! Everything crossed that you get to meet him soon xx

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  14. I hope that your little man makes an appearance soon! Babies seem to go by their own schedules! Keeping my fingers crossed everything goes smoothly for you, and sending lots of love your way! xx

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  15. Oh Alex! Our Jonas was born 13 days ago... And this s EXACTLY what happened. He was almost fully engaged at 38 weeks and I was getting contractions etc, and then at week 40 it all seemed to stop! It was so frustrating! In the end I was induced 12 days late (which totally took me by surprise... My two girs were both born within 3days of due date) ad ended up with a c-section... It feels stressful in the waiting, but honestly, once he's out... You won't care... You'll just be so glad to ave your baby boy. Hope he comes soon for you.xx

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  16. Oh good luck and I am thinking of you. Hope all goes OK :) Hope he comes soon, must be hard being overdue. Jess xx

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