Still pregnant and very frustrated and upset. Help?!?

Question

I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my second child. My first son was born when I was 36 weeks. I've had problems with irritable uterus syndrome so I just assumed that I would go early like I did with my first son.

But I have no signs that labor is anywhere close to happening. I haven't lost my mucus plug, have had no bloody show, and when my doctor checked me at 35 weeks I was only 1/2 cm dilated. I barely even have regular discharge.

I'm just so frustrated. I was so sure that this baby was going to come early and now I'm feeling like I might go past my due date. I mean I know a lot could happen between now and then but I'm just so disappointed. Plus I can barely sleep at night and the baby is so low that everytime he moves his head I feel sharp pains on my cervix.

Does anyone have any helpful suggestions as to how I can deal with all of this?

Answer 1

Every birth is different.

Try relaxing more with your feet up. stressing about it won't help.

As for the due date - that is an approximate thing not an exact.

My water never broke on either of my kids and i didn't have discharge. Just contractions when the time came and the doctor broke my water when it was time to deliver.

So, it's no big deal. Everything should be fine.

Answer 2

Well, I read in a magazine yesterday that one of the reasons we go into labor is because the baby's lungs are fully developed and the baby releases a protein that lets are bodies know the baby is ready and we should start the process. And, as I'm sure you know, due dates are guestimates and if your baby is two weeks early it may really be more like four weeks early cause due dates aren't perfectly accurate. So the earlier labor is induced the more likely the baby will have breathing problems. Anyway, I know you aren't saying you want to induce labor, I'm just saying maybe it will comfort you a little to think the baby is just waiting for its little lungs to be perfectly healthy and then you can push.

Answer 3

Well...first of all the longer the baby is in the womb the better it is for him/her. You are barely even full term. Secondly, at 37 weeks all of us pregnant women are going through the sleepless nights, pains in the cervix etc. You're not alone in your frustration but you need to think about the good that will come from your baby staying in longer.. I'm 39 weeks and 1 day and am in so much pain I can hardly walk. It hurts like heck to even close my legs so whether sitting, sleeping or walking they have to be held apart.. Talk about a pain in the butt! However, I know my baby will come when he's ready and any pain I go through is for him..

Answer 4

Hi there, first, I feel so bad for you. I don't have all the answers, but it's nice to hear some support. I am 25 weeks preggo and certainly wish I only had a few more weeks/days.  Just remember you are so close!!! Live for the day, stay positive right now. For the moment if you have to. Do some walking, that will help your anxiety, frustration, and hopefully get your body responding to labor quicker. Turn your fav music on and dance, sing, shake your groove thing! And even when you don't wanna smile...do it. Practice deep breathing....read a book...get your mind off your obsession w/ week 36...it's over, past. I know it sucks. Trust me, I wish I could wave a wand and make it better. UGH. What we have to go through is crazy!!! All the best!  

Answer 5

Think about your child, not yourself.  The baby will come, when the baby is ready.  You should wnt to reach your 40 week mark to ensure that the baby gets maximum time in the womb.  Dont be selfish and wish that your baby would hurry up and come.  Every pregnancy is different and you should just be happy that your baby is going to be healthy.  Good luck to you and I hope that you find a way to get through this.

Answer 6

stop counting the days! I had my son when I was 42 weeks 3 days... man it was the longest 2 weeks ever. I did everything too, cleaned my house, walked, had s*x, ate spicy food, went on a bumpy car ride.... then one day I just sat at home and didnt do a thing, slept all day mostly, then at around 9 pm I started feeling a bit tight, ended up having him at 5;59 am the next day. So just relax, sleep and visit as many friends as you can in the next few weeks.

Answer 7

I am on my 4th pregnancy and very much aware of how uncomfortable the last month can be.  What I suggest is try and cherish these last days/weeks that you may or may not have.  Paint your tummy with your other kids and take pictures, take some beautiful prego pics outside and really try to enjoy these special moments before they are gone :^)  Good luck!

Answer 8

go soak in a nice hot bath with candles lit. add baby oil to the bath water. it will help you relax for a while and rejuvenate you. belive me i have gone thorugh 3. one baby was 4 days late. and one was 4 days early, and that is only because i did something wild to go into labor. you'll be ok  

Answer 9

As you near the end of your pregnancy, you may be ready for the entire process of carrying your baby to be over. You'll be eager to start a whole new phase of life and actually meet this little miracle. But you might wonder: When is it safe to try to naturally induce labor, and how do I go about accomplishing that?

You shouldn't even consider trying to begin your labor until you are around 40 weeks pregnant or overdue. That's because your due date could be inaccurate by a few weeks, and if you start your labor before 40 weeks, you might give birth to the baby before he is ready to thrive outside the womb.

Several things can be done that might make you have contractions and start your labor, but they'll only work if your body is ready. If your body isn't prepared to go into labor, you can try as much as your heart desires, but you will only frustrate yourself.

Use caution when trying any of these natural methods to begin your labor, particularly herbs and nipple stimulation. The uterus can become hyperstimulated, meaning that it'll get too little rest between contractions. This can cause the baby to receive less oxygen, resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Before trying any of these techniques, you should discuss them with your practitioner.

Walk

If you are having contractions but are not yet in labor, walking can help get things going. Walking allows your hips to sway side to side, which will help bring the baby into position to be born. Also, by standing upright, you're using gravity to move the baby down into the pelvis. Another plus: It usually feels good to walk when you are contracting. And of course, even if you don't go into full-blown labor, at least you're getting some exercise.

s*x

Making love can be one of the last things on a woman's mind toward the end of her pregnancy. She feels clumsy and big and may be experiencing a lot of vaginal pressure. But believe it or not, s*x is one of the things you can do to get your labor under way. When you and your partner make love, his s***n (which contains prostaglandins) can stimulate contractions.

Castor oil

For decades, women have been using castor oil to help induce labor. In fact, many old school physicians and midwives swear by it. It can provide good results if you are already in early labor. It is believed to work by causing spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus toward the end of pregnancy. These spasms, in turn, cause the uterus to cramp, which might result in labor.

You can take 1 to 4 ounces of castor oil mixed with 6 ounces of orange juice to cut its oiliness. You'll want to drink it quickly because of the unpleasant taste. Some practitioners suggest taking a single dose; others suggest repeated doses depending on your response. Keep in mind that castor oil usually will cause your bowels to empty within about three hours. With luck, soon after that, you will be in true labor.

Spicy food

Some people swear that it was that extra-hot enchilada from their favorite Mexican restaurant that brought them face to face with their new baby. Unfortunately, the statistics are out on this one. You could try it, but if you have a full stomach when you are in labor, you might vomit and see that enchilada again--in less-than-appetizing circumstances.

Blue and black cohosh

These herbs are used often to induce labor. They may be particularly effective if you are having weak or irregular contractions. Blue cohosh is believed to make uterine contractions stronger, while black cohosh may regulate the contractions. Together, they work to make contractions more effective. Unfortunately, no studies have determined that these natural treatments are safe, or whether all versions of the herb available for purchase are of equal potency. Be sure to discuss any herbal treatment with your practitioner before attempting it, to see if it is a good idea in your situation.

Nipple stimulation

Some women massage their nipples as a way to induce labor. This stimulation brings about the release of oxytocin, which is the natural form of pitocin. Oxytocin causes contractions, which sometimes evolve into labor.

Most practitioners are not enthusiastic about this method of inducing labor, because it has been known to lead to excessively long, strong uterine contractions sometimes resulting in fetal heart rate slowing. Unless your practitioner advises it and is monitoring your progress closely, nipple stimulation is not recommended as a means for beginning labor.

Stripping the membranes

Your practitioner may offer to "strip your membranes" to help start your labor. This procedure usually feels like a vaginal examination, although it sometimes can be painful or cause cramping. The practitioner places her gloved finger through the cervix and sweeps the amniotic membranes free of their attachment to the lower part of the uterine cavity. This process is believed to release hormone-like substances called prostaglandins, which help to read

Answer 10

My doctor told me he was going to induce me at 38 weeks due to medical issues. I know you can take Tylenol PMs try those.. and try walking  

Answer 11

As you've observed, there can be SO much variation in different pregnancies in the same woman.  If you are only 37 weeks, then indeed you could be pregnant for 5 more weeks and would still be within what is considered "normal" limits!!   Anytime from 38-42 weeks is considered "normal" for delivery time, because many times we do NOT know precisely when the baby was conceived.  So physically, you are normal.

Also, your frustration is normal.  You expected one way the event would happen, and it has turned out a different way.   That can be hard to deal with.   Since you are probably seeing your doc or midwife weekly now, i'd encourage you to talk with him/her about your progress.  That could be reassuring to you.

I'd also encourage you to talk with a sympathetic friend, one who has been thru a pregnancy.  Often our female friends can provide more support and a shoulder to cry on, more easily than can our husband or boyfriend.   Sometimes, the guys just don't know what to say or how to react, and they feel helpless to comfort you.  Feeling so uncomfortable, sometimes a guy pulls back from the emotion of the relationship.  This is pretty normal.  Other guys are much more sympathetic, but this tends to be less common.

However, the fact that you are feeling so much pressure down low indicates that the baby is probably low, too.  It OFTEN can happen on later pregnancies (the 3rd, 4th, etc.) that you do NOT have a bloody show nor dilate as early as in your first or 2nd pregnancy.  

So, what i'm saying is, you may start into labor and go quite quickly, even tho you were only dilated 0.5 cm at 35 weeks.  Since that was 2 weeks ago, you may well have dilated a whole bunch since then.   Some mommies on 3rd, 4th, etc. pregnancies walk around dilated a few cm  for a good while, and then their labor progresses rather quickly.

Rest often during the day, lying with your feet up (like on the couch or bed), and on your left side to relieve pressure on your major blood vessels,  and try to maintain as healthy a diet as possible.  Don't forget your prenatal vitamins and milk!  :)

Since you haven't posted in 3 days, i wonder if you even might have already had the baby!   As you said, you know a lot can happen at any time.   We look forward to hearing from you about how this all turned out!  

Good luck, and i will be praying for you.

Kathy  RN, MSN

Answer 12

Ms. Vango or whats her face is a real snot.  Don't listen to her.  If she's tired of answering and reading questions on here she should get her @SS off of here!!!!  

You'll be fine honey.  Everybody gets anxious of wanting the pregnancy done and over with near the end.  It'll come when you least expect it...   And congradulations!