You poor thing!  I'm sure the heat isn't helping any. 

You never know, this weekend may just be the time even though it doesn't appear so right now.  I've heard of stories of women dilating at accelerated speeds. 

I, on the other hand, had contractions for a few weeks before my actual labor and was 1-2cm dilated for a couple weeks before the labor.  I was induced a week before my due date.

Did your doctor say when (s)he was expecting you to start dilating?  Is the test for this upcoming Friday (July 25th), 5 days after your due date?

I'm sorry, vanessa.  It is so hard, I know!  The first one has to be the hardest because you are already so anxious and nervous, and the not knowing what to expect or what is "normal" is the worst!   The waiting is also hard, especially at the end when you're just TIRED of being pregnant.  ;-)  She will make her grand entrance when she's darn good and ready.  Until then, rest as much as you can and enjoy time with yourself and your husband.   Thinking about you and hoping for great news really soon!

Poo. Try as many methods as possible to help you; sex (if you can-hehe), bounce on an exercise ball, walk around (though the NY heatwave is brutal!!!) and eat spicy food! Maybe something will work.

Oh yeah, I think it's evening primrose capsules that are a helper in bringing on contractions naturally.

hehe my dr rec'd sex-- even tho i was a single mama with no bf LOL.

castor oil supposedly helps too, moving as much as you can, spicy foods, the full moon... yeah... its all wives tales.  (altho... castor oil does stimlate bowel contractions which in turn can get the uterus moving)

its really really normal to go over your due date.  dont let them push you into a section if you dont want one just for the sake of "convenience"!

good luck and thinking about you!

Thanks for the update!!! I hope you get your baby as soon as possible and in the most convenient place (not the subway!!!).

I am sure you are very anxious to see your beautiful baby. It will be here soon!

No relpies from Vanessa today. Let's all hope a little baby girl is on her way!

drea99 -I am in the same boat. I have no-one to love on when my pregnancy hormones turn me into a fiend. I won't be able to turn to that method when it's time either. BOO!

Glad to hear you're at least feeling well. We're thinking of you.

You poor thing! I cannot imagine what it must feel like to go past your due date! How long will they let you go before talking about inducing or at least breaking your water? My doctor said he wouldn't let me go past a week, but they all say something different!

Awww.  Those past due days are so hard.  I remember breaking down in my doctor's office, 7 days past due, telling her "just get it out of me!  get it out!".  Yeah.  Beautiful baby girl #1 had become the "it" that was inhabiting me at that point.

My doctor had told me that she wouldn't let me go over 1 week past due.  At that 41 week appointment, the doctor informed me that she thought I should hold out another week, but she wouldn't let me go past 42 weeks.  I lost it.

And, I've mentioned on another thread that I don't believe Amelia was actually ready to be born when we induced 10 days past due.  Labor was rough on her.

I'm thinking of you, Vanessa.  Sending labor-y thoughts your way.

Hey hun, Im pregnant with my 4th and an easy method to help the body along without causing any unnecessary side effects is Raspberry Leaf tea.  I was able to buy it last time at a regular grocery store in the healthfood section where they had all sorts of herbal teas.

Feel free to google.  Its been used for centuries to help promote uterine wellness when you arent pregnant and help the uterus to contract when its the right time when you are pregnant.  It even tastes great.

I also have used the "sex" method with my last two.  Apparently there are hormones in sperm that help the prostaglandin release to encourage labor.

(((hugs)))

oh...and my moms doc told her "dont even bother packing a bag" when it was her due date because I hadn't even dropped yet.  Guess what.  Her water broke and that was that later that afternoon. 

Hi Vanessa. Have you tried any internet searches for aids to labor? i was reading something the other day (on What to Expect i think) that suggested body positions that will encourage proper baby positioning. One was rocking on hands and kees for 10 minutes a day every day. Might want to check it out.

Im totally about the sex thing.. tho I do have to laugh when I remember how I, the single mama with no bf, went about getting some... and the hilarity that then ensued with my GINORMOUS belleh.

The rocking on hand and knees feels good during labor too and can really help get the baby in position, or at least so says all the people who are supposed to know. 

And your back is hurting... is it any different than usual?  I had terrible back labor and I think the beginnings of it werent all that clear to be contractions, it just felt horrible.

Hehe, have sex on your hands and knees-- kill a few birds there ;)

I heard that about the rasberry leaf tea! They said to avoid it until you're ready to deliver because it's supposed to be a natural inducer! Drink up!

And if you need a note from your doctor call him/her up and have them fax it directly to your HR department. Be honest with the nurse who will pass along the information to your doctor, you simply are not in the frame of mind to be there until after you give birth! Surely they'll understand.

Original Post by vanessa1031:

The reason why I don't see her arriving any time soon; is; is that she's still SO high; so she's not in position to come out yet.  I thought with your first they get into the position a few weeks before they are supposed to come out.  Maybe it will be a fast and furious come on down and be born thing?  I don't know if that happens with your first.


Oh well-  all in good time I guess!

Yes, SHE is the one in charge here!  ;-)  As far as the "high part," I carried really high.  A few days before I went into labor, on ultrasound in doc's office, mine had assumed the head down position but was still high.  Of all the things I was so unsure of while I was pregnant, I would SWEAR that he "dropped" within the hour of my going to the hospital at the very beginning of early labor.  Of all the things I was unsure about, I was SURE when this happened.  There was no mistaking it.  So yeah, I think that part can happen pretty fast, and then it's on!

Yes, they can drop and get "into position" pretty quickly when they are ready.  I went in and got checked at the hospital in the evening with my son and they sent me home because he was still sideways (head down, but facing my hip, not my spine -- hope that makes sense) and still somewhat high. 

About 3-4 hours later -- after pretty regular back labor (contractions across my lower back but not all the way around) he had moved into position and when I went back to the hospital they were surprised he had moved that quickly and I was already dilated to a 3.