38 Wks and 5 Days!!

Updated on February 10, 2009
M.F. asks from Fairfield, CA
18 answers

I am currently pregnant with my second baby! my first was 2 wks early so we were thinking that this one was going to be the same! so far nothing! i've tried spicy foods and walking to try to speed up the process, but all those do is bring on false labor or contractions and then they go away or they aren't as strong so i can't say they are true labor contractions! i'm going on 39 wks and i know i only have 1 more week until i'm full term, but being prego for the last stretch is so difficult especially when i'm caring for my 3 year old son! i know mamasource mamas would understand my pain so i just decided to write about it! i know the baby will be ready when he's ready, but i'm just so done with being pregnant! i'm trying to enjoy this because it may be our last baby! but my back aches more, my sides ache more, i'm having trouble getting around and doing chores, i can't enjoy my son as much, i'm nesting, but there's not much to do anymore i did everything like 3 weeks ago because i thought he was coming out soon! i've noticed i've been pretty cranky lately or irritable, and i don't mean to be, but i'm in pain, i'm so tired all the time and when my husband works my son and i are just stuck at home, especially with me being this far along, i can't risk going out with my son and then going into labor and having to drive home or something! so the only time we get to go out is when my husband is off from work, and even when he's off sometimes i don't get to go out because he's so tired and sleeps all day because he's use to his graveyard shift, i try not to be mad, but sometimes i'd like a break from my son once in a while and also try to get out and walk or just get some fresh air! sometimes my husband will sleep until 2 or 3 in the afternoon and he takes forever to get ready to go anywhere, so we don't actually get to go out until the sun goes down! by then, i'm really irritated and depressed because we missed day light! i don't want to always go out when it's dark, it's so depressing, we need some sun, we aren't vampires!! haha anyways, i guess i'm not really asking any question here, just here to kinda vent and get some advice maybe! thank you all so much! please pray for me! =)

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D.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi M.,

Unfortunately just as all children are not the same, all pregnancies are not the same. I have two brothers and I was 3 weeks early, one of my brothers was 2 days late and my other brother was 12 days late. You may just have to be patient for another week - or more.

I hope it all goes well. Good luck, D.

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H.C.

answers from Sacramento on

I tried everything I could to get my son to come out and nothing worked. He came out when he was ready (to my dismay he was 10 days late). I know this isn't what you want to hear but they really do come when they are ready. Good luck and I am sorry to hear you are so miserable.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

M.,

I feel for you. What about just getting out for a walk with your son just around the neighborhood. Walking is great for your mood and also to get labor started if your body is ready. Another tip is get on hands and knees and scrub the kitchen floor, bathroom, tub everything. That put me into labor----Try not to focus on all the what if's-- you can still go out and do errands, grocery shop etc.---unless your first baby came without warning, I would get out of the house daily. Even if you are just going around the block or a short trip to the store. Hope this helps and good luck with your labor and delivery~ It will come.

Molly

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Chico on

If you are part of a mom's group, maybe you could go out with another trusted mom? That way if you go into labor, she can drive you home or help take care of your son until someone can come get you. I don't know how your first labor was, but my labor did not come on so suddenly that I could not drive through the contractions at first... Maybe a drive to the park if it is too far to walk would help you get some sunshine. I hope you deliver soon! Your venting sounds like it in part stems from exhaustion of having a three year old and a huge belly! Be sure to call on anyone you can to help you. Most of us are happy to help new mommies (having been there ourselves) and you are really going to need some you time to rest when the new arrival makes her (or his) appearance!

As far as inducing yourself, keep on walking! and try nipple stimulation. Just like when you breastfeed, it causes contractions in your uterus and can really get things going!

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J.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi M.,
I feel for ya. No matter how many times women have been pregnant, when they are in the midst of the last three weeks they are praying for labor to come. Of course looking back we say, "just be patient". So I won't say that. But I will tell you I went 41 weeks. I was 175 lbs-my normal weight is 118! I was pre-diabetic, so i could not eat anything fun. I had bladder pain all night so i could not sleep-for about the last 2 months! I was trying everything after 38 weeks-sex, eggplant parmesagn, spices, walking, even accupuncture-nothin! But I'm glad my baby made me wait, because she was 7.8 lbs, and very very healthy! So, though it may not be exactly what you want to hear you're sooooo close! I know that one week, two weeks, seems like 2 years at this stage. I also imagine that having a toddler at this time is really hard, and you need some help. Any friends or family willing?? But you'll be there before you know it!
Congratulations and I hope your labor is speedy and easy.

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J.K.

answers from Redding on

i have a 3 month and a 3 y.o. and let me just say that you should spend this time enjoying your older kid, because i am sure you know you will be expecting a lot more from him and there will be lots of chaos for him to deal with. i dont know how fast your first labor was, but i had plenty of time both times, so i was doing everything up until my contractions were regular and i could do nothing else. it seems bizarre to me that you are not getting out. i had to have 4 stitches with my second birth and the midwives were adamant about 1-2 weeks of real rest. i was stir-crazy by the time i could get up and about. i think you are so excited (rightfully so!) that you are sot realizing these last few weeks are your last moments before your whole world gets flipped upside down again, while you are trying to maintain a relationship with a little boy.

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H.J.

answers from San Francisco on

Not much to say except that labor and delivery will solve your problems--and I assure you, they WILL happen soon. I feel your pain! I have a 3-month-old, for whom I had 2 different due dates, 3 weeks apart--and he split the difference. And my 2 little ones are 17 months apart. It hasn't been long enough yet that I've forgotten. Pregnancy in general is fine, but the last few weeks suck!

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A.N.

answers from San Francisco on

you need some help,a babysitter or something-you are physically limited and need to take care of yourself!!!sister,mother?someone!!!all the best,a

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L.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My first baby came on her due date so I was expecting my next one to do the same or come earlier... but he decided to be two weeks late. 42 weeks and 2 days before a scheduled c-section.... I was feeling horrible!

I stayed active until the end though... I did not go that far from home but we were out and about every day. I don't know how fast your first labor was but usually they don't appear within the hour. Have someone you can call in case you need a ride or some help. Play dates are great and you will have other moms there to help you. Join a moms group if you are not part of one already. You probably even join a group for you baby that is about to come. Las Madres has groups for all ages in all areas.

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J.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Do you have anyone who can take you out someplace? Your mom maybe? Someone who can help with your son and get you two out of the house? Sounds like you are going stir crazy. You need a break before the baby comes. I was always told to stay at home with the new baby until he or she is at least 4-6 weeks old because of germs and stuff. You should get out while you have the chance. Even pay a sitter and take a taxi to a spa if you have to. Get a mani/pedi and maybe even a prego massage. You deserve some time. You can be a better mother and wife if you listen to your needs and take a afternoon off. It is very hard work to be host to your unborn love bundle, little own mommy to a 3 year old. Tell your hubby that you understand how hard he works, but that you work hard day and night growing your child and you need this! Go to a nice lunch and a movie with a girl friend, or even just a long nap and then a walk by yourself. I felt this way also and didn't listen to my own needs, when my baby came I was past the point of relaxing and had trouble bonding because I was so depressed. Get out some how! Good luck and congrats!

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi there, I understand completely...I have 6 kids. My suggestion is to just go outside and sit somewhere like on the porch or deck or wherever you can out of the rain. Just listen to the sounds of nature and see the sun (what little there is right now) and enjoy the daylight. Maybe look at a magazine or something that doesn't take too much concentration or do a crossword puzzle or something of that nature. I think just being out of your 4 walls will help. I really do understand and will be thinking of you hoping that all goes well and just think in such a short time you will be able to see your feet...lol Happy thoughts for you and your new little one. Just think you still have time to take a picture for the baby book while your still pregnant. I took one in a bikini, my kids think it's funny now. Walking does help, trust me, I walked the grounds of a hospital for hours so I wouldn't have to go home, cross a bridge and come back which was a very long trip, almost 2 hours. Good Luck and happy thoughts ...J.

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D.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Just know that what you are experiencing is very normal. I have four kids all were born after the due date. I remember that feeling of I can't wait for this one to be born. See if there is not someone who can take your 3 year old to the park or both of you? Could a girlfriend come over just to distract you for awhile? You need some adult distraction and to get out of the house a little. i like the previous idea of the walk for the two of you. Good Luck! You new little one will soon be here.

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C.G.

answers from San Francisco on

Sweetheart! Get some help, for goodness sakes! Even if it costs you money that you may not have enough of right now with this crazy economy. Ask for help, at least... do you have family in the area? Friends who can lend a hand? I remember being in the same place when my daughter was three... i absolutely needed help and hired a babysitter to at least take my daughter to the park or out during the day so that i could rest and she could have some playtime. It sounds like your husband also needs to take some time off right now to kick-in for you. I broke out in a terrible hormonal rash in my ninth month and my doctor told me it would probably not go away until i delivered. I was miserable! This is when i realized that if i didn't get help i was literally going to pull my hair out. You feel so guilty because you want to do it all, but you absolutely need to put yourself and your baby first right now. Your three year old will, for now, need to be given additional attention by others... his daddy, his grandma or grandpa, aunts or uncles, etc. to give him the time he also deserves during this transition to being a big brother and while you get through these last weeks and first few months with your newborn. It 'aint easy.. to be sure... but you will get through it and live to tell the tale to another pregnant mom one day ;-) !

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C.M.

answers from Chico on

I understand your frustration. My first two children were two weeks early and my third, although I started having regualr contractions about a month before her due date, did not arrive until the day before her due date. It was so frustrating for me. I finally insisted on having a cell phone and just went out and did what I needed to do.

I would also sit down and have a heart -to-heart talk with your hubby to let him know how you feel trapped in the house. I would also call on friends or family to go out with you during the day.

Take care...I wish you a speedy, incident free delivery!

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N.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi
Congratulations! Have you tried a pedicure? That might get things moving!
Good luck
n

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A.W.

answers from Sacramento on

I feel your pain! My first son I was induced at 13 days past my due date. My second son I was induced at 6 days past my due date. I tried everything, and just never went into labor either time, and the second time around my baby was born at 9 lbs. 5 oz., so if I had waited much longer I probably would have needed a c-section. You have my sympathy...hope you have the baby soon :-)

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E.M.

answers from San Francisco on

It might help you to remember that babies are much easier to take care of when they are on the inside!!!

You might ask your husband to put in a request to get off the graveyard shift. It might take some time, but if he could get a switch even a year from now, you'll probably enjoy the change.

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D.T.

answers from San Francisco on

M.,
Maybe you want to take your 3 year old to a park that is close by. If labor starts you are not going to dilate and efface so fast that you can't get home in time. Think back to your first. The cramps started - or your water broke. You had some time. It's not an emergency as long as you are having a healthy pregnancy and are not in any high risk group. You may enjoy getting out too. Actually the longer you labor at home, the better your chances of not having any intervention at the hospital. Trust your body. I hope your new one arrives soon. I totally know how the hope and back pain feels! Congratulations!

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