[Jodi0804]

Ok ladies, how did you deal with the last part of the pregnancy. I am seriously going crazy now. I am 39 weeks this Tuesday and just getting more and more anxious. We are really excited and can't wait to meet this baby, but the waiting is awful. Had to make a trip to labor and delivery this past Tuesday for decreased movement and now that this little boy isn't moving very much its making it really hard to be patient; I am always wondering if he is ok. I'm having contractions off and on but nothing consistent. I am 80% effaced and a fingertip dilated; we are walking every night too and I'm trying to stay as busy as possible. I have LOVED being pregnant up until this point and it went from lots of movement to very little that just has me on edge (and of course I'm sure just nerves in general). I feel a hormonal mess and the lack of control over the situation makes it hard. Sorry this is so long, DH is a great listener but he just doesn't understand since he isn't experiencing it!

Update:
First thank you ladies for your advice. DH and I have gone out on a few dates, went out to eat, watched movies, relaxed, I got a pedicure, finished xmas shopping etc. So I really took your advice to heart!

Had my 40 week appt today. I'm 100% effaced and 1cm. My induction is scheduled for Monday at 6am. Since my cervix is favorable, I will start with pitocin and go from there. He'll only break my water right away if I am more dilated, otherwise he'll wait a bit. Last week we thought it was going to be Friday, but the hospital is booked; I was upset when we got home but I know its not in my control. So my end is in sight now, but of course I'm still hoping I go on my own. My doctor is on call all weekend which also puts my mind at ease. I am off work which is good, just trying to keep busy and stay positive. I'm ready to meet this little boy and get to know him. I've been having contractions, back pain, pelvic pressure, etc so here is to hoping the induction date gets this little bugger out on his own! And if you got through this whole thing, bless you!

[~Andrea~]

It is hard to wait, especially when you are so close to meeting your little guy. I honestly occupied myself with many fruitless attempts to induce labor. Eating pineapple, eating spicy food, walking, even S-E-X! (which, at that point, was pretty awkward!)

I know you probably hear it from everyone, and I know I hated to hear it at the time, but TRY and enjoy your last couple days as a single person. Because any day now, you will no longer have time for yourself. Watch a movie, get a pedicure, read a book. You will miss this free time soon!

[Gray_baby]

I've been dealing with the excitement by trying to keep my mind off of it! Today I dragged my DH to see The Blind Side since I know going to the movies will be lower on my priority list once my LO is here (and I love the movies ).

[courtneytcu98]

Andrea is right! Try (and it is hard) to do some things it will be difficult to find time for when baby arrives. Get a pedi, make sure your grocery shopping is done, get all your Christmas gifts purchased. . . Those last weeks are hard when your energy is waning and you're impatient and uncomfortable! I was on bedrest the last week of my pregnancy and I was bored to tears. I did a lot of napping (oh how I missed those days after Elliott was here), watching tv, playing on the Nintendo DS, etc. Hang in there!

[KCMomma]

Oh yes, I so vividly remember those last days!! Very exciting times and sooo unbelievably frustrating at the same time. If you are like me, I like to have everything planned and under control and labor is the LAST thing you can control! Like the other ladies said, try to enjoy this time with just you and DH...I know you may not understand that now, but it's so true. Enjoy, laying on the couch in a quiet house because soon it will all change!!!! We are all here to listen to you vent any ole day!!! You are so close, hang in there!!!

[LindsLuvsSi]

At 37-39 weeks or so I had a horrible cold/sinus infection. It was nasty. I think that's why DS didn't arrive then. Then I started getting false labor and thought my water broke so that was disappointing. But the absolute HARDEST is being overdue. It's not fun or easy and very uncomfortable and annoying with everyone calling/emailing asking if I had the baby. Hopefully that won't happen to you, it's not easy! During the last weeks...i made sure everything was ready for him and his birth, I cooked, cleaned and took bubble baths and read books and napped. DH adn I went out for dinner/lunch a lot and took some nice maternity photos at the beach at sunset.
GL!! Hope it's not much longer for you. Believe me, I totally understand your anticipation and impatience!

[stlgirl]

Hang in there, Jodi! Your little boy will be here soon!

[MommaLee]

Originally Posted by stlgirl

Hang in there, Jodi! Your little boy will be here soon!

I agree

[Lyz]

try to enjoy these last few days as just a wife and not a mommy and wife! I wish I had gone on a few more "dates" with DH, gone to the movies, etc. as it all changes once your LO is here! He will definitely be here very soon

[ChristinaR]

I'm right there with you Jodi. It's getting harder and harder the closer you get to your DD. I'm just trying to sneak in a few more date nights with DH before LO arrives. I know after that it will be few and far between.

The anticipation at the end is the worst! Try seeing lots of movies at the theater, going to restaurants, and just hanging out at home. And have lots of sex!

[Lo_and_Behold]

Originally Posted by Shorty011783

It is hard to wait, especially when you are so close to meeting your little guy. I honestly occupied myself with many fruitless attempts to induce labor. Eating pineapple, eating spicy food, walking, even S-E-X! (which, at that point, was pretty awkward!)

I know you probably hear it from everyone, and I know I hated to hear it at the time, but TRY and enjoy your last couple days as a single person. Because any day now, you will no longer have time for yourself. Watch a movie, get a pedicure, read a book. You will miss this free time soon!

I couldn't agree more with Andrea. I ditto each one of her points. I was trying natural induction methods from like 37 weeks on. I was just so uncomfortable & anxious & wanted it over with. I worked up until 2 days before I went into labor & I think it helped keep my mind off of things but it was exhausting. On my first day of maternity leave, I got a pedicure because I'd heard the reflexology could help bring on labor. It was nice to have that time to myself & it felt good even though my legs were swollen from here to China.

And I know how annoying it is to hear "Enjoy it while you can!" or to sleep as much as possible because you just want to be done being pg & meet your little one already but it is so true. I think back to driving home from work, listening to music & feeling kicks & having conversations between just the two of us (except they were always pretty one sided conversations! ) & I long to have those days back. I know my next pregnancy won't be that peaceful again since I'll already have my first to run around after. And I haven't gotten a full 8 hours of sleep since the night before I went into labor. Even if the baby does sleep long stretches of time (I'm stil waiting after 8 months ), on some level you can't get the same kind of restful sleep because you're aware of them being there & that they may wake up, etc.

So the long & the short of it is to try to do things just for you....mani/pedi's, massages, take a drive & listen to music, read a book...whatever! It'll help to take your mind off of just how miserable you may be feeling! lol At least you're one of the early ones in your DDC. I was due March 27th so I had to watch everyone else give birth & I swear at times I wanted to kill whoever gave birth next because I was so uncomfortable! LOL

Good luck & hopefully he'll be here any day!

[Jodi0804]

Updated!

[Micksbabe]

I am glad to hear that there is an end in sight Jodi!!! I can't wait to see your little man Hopefully you will go on your own and won't need to be induced!!

[courtneytcu98]

All those symptoms sound very promising, Jodi. I think that being 100% effaced is hopeful, too! My doc and I had the same plan of cervidil at 10pm, then pitocin at 6am and wait to break the water until we knew that the pitocin was working. By 8am when my doctor checked me, I was at 3cm. I just needed a nudge. My doctor then broke my water and then finally at 5:26 my little man arrived! An induction doesn't have to be terrible, as long as your doctor is conservative. I'm glad you've had some fun times the past week or so!

[KCMomma]

I will be anxiously awaiting any updates!!! Like I said before...all I had to do was schedule my induction and BAM...went into labor!!! I sure hope that happens for you too! Hang in there...he will be here sooooo soon!

[Elijah'sMommy]

YAY for an end being in sight! I hope scheduling the induction is all you need to bring on labor

[*Mommy2Camden*]

Glad there's an "end in sight!" Can't wait to hear your updates!!

[ChristinaR]

Woohooo for a great update Jodi, I'm so happy for you. The next few days are going to fly by for you. Good luck hun!!!

[Lo_and_Behold]

That's great Jodi! I hope he'll come on his own before then so maybe having to push the induction date to Monday was really just a blessing in disguise. It may give him that extra day or two to come on out before you had to take other measures. I know how hard the end is so hopefully it'll be over VERY soon! Sounds like you're already making good progress!

ETA: Just speaking from personal experience, you could be no where near ready (cervically speaking ) & all of a sudden you're in labor. The doctors can't really tell, they can only give you their best guess/estimate. I had my 39 week appt & was not effaced at all & only a fingertip dilated. We scheduled my induction for 2 torturous weeks away. I was so swollen, uncomfortable, cranky, etc that after my appt, I cried. I cried walking out, cried to my car, cried to dh...I think I might've even kicked my tires I was so mad Well, the next day my water broke & I had my daughter when I was 39 weeks, 2 days so what does anyone really know!