Overdue....Can I Do This???

I just gave birth to my third child (my first boy!) 10 days ago. While I wasn't overdue (39 wks), he never dropped. I was having contractions for days (weeks actually), but just couldn't get anything to stay regular and timed. And I stalled at 3 cm. My doc had me do laps around the labor and delivery unit in hopes to get something going, but I only advanced about .5 - 1 more cm. I was at 4 cm when he broke my water. My son instantly dropped and was born 45 mins later (and only took 2 pushes). He was 8 lbs 5 oz. Oh, and it was completely drug free! =)

I was overdue and a saleswoman at a store I was shopping in told me spicy Chinese food. I ate it for dinner that night, had contractions at 1:00 a.m., and gave birth at 3:32 p.m. This worked for me.

DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WHAT A WOMAN'S BODY IS CAPABLE OF!!! It is truly amazing what us mamas body's do to bring our children into the world. If you are going naturally, no c-section, I suggest using a mirror for some added encouragement. I did with my son and it helped me figure out what muscles I needed to use to push effectively. 5 pushes and my son was born. Words of encouragement: My mom had 3 children all naturally without drugs and my brother (the youngest) was her biggest weighing 10 lbs 3 oz. YOU CAN DO IT! I have faith in you :) Congratulations! Let us know how you did ;)

I just had a 10 pound 12 ounce monster baby without drugs! :) It is very possible. Concentrate on breathing through those contractions. Don't waste your energy screaming in pain. Just work through them one at a time. Relax your muscles as much as you can and let your body do the work. Stay on your feet! Keep walking and moving, let gravity help you. You can do this!!
The tried to induce me with pitociin but it didn't work. Once they broke my water I had the baby in 45 minutes with about 5 minutes of pushing in there. I was 42 weeks along.
Just breathe, stay focused and calm! You will be fine! Congrats and good luck!

Hi C.,

You can go into labor without being induced with harmful drugs....this is what your body is designed to do. It just requires patience. This is the hard part, because you're overdue, and I can imagine very uncomfortable! Doctors want to move things along because they're so afraid of things going wrong, resulting in lawsuits.

I would say just hang in there-your body is preparing. And you will be so amazed at the difference in your labor. My last baby was born without any intervention. My labor started on it's own, and it progressed quickly. I gave birth to a 9 lb. 6 oz. boy, and I felt great. He was so alert, and took right to breastfeeding. Quite a different experience than my previous two....Cervidil, pitocin, epidural, episiotomy, you name it I had it.

Of course, if there are complications, as there sometimes are-you should follow your doctor's recommendations. But it sounds like everything is normal. Good luck, and hang in there. I know it's tough, but you can do it.

YOU CAN DO IT! You can do it drug free!! Just keep walking!

I was the same as you - had a disastrous first birth/medicated... was totally loopy and couldn't feel a thing.

My second birth was WONDERFUL. Drug-free and smooth sailing (thank God - I know it's not like that for everyone).
Someone told me this regarding any pain associated with labor/delivery: it's a matter of MOMENTS in your lifetime. It's ONE DAY. That's all you have to withstand -- MOMENTS of ONE DAY when the pain is really tough. BUT it's so worth it. Whether you have a big baby or not - your body knows what to do!
I compare the two births -- nothing was better than being able to get up and walk to recovery room/ have energy after a short downtime in recovery room - it was awesome.
I am a slender gal - was concerned about baby size too. But I did what my doc told me (he knew I was aiming for drug-free birth) and stayed walking throughout the day after my water broke. Near the hospital. Walked and walked - didn't let anyone put me on my back in a bed!
Walk, girl, walk! Until you can't stand or walk through contractions, then get on your hands/knees to breath through them. Get up and walk again!

I have a friend who's had 4 "one of each" types of births. Her last one - 10 lb baby birthed naturally (VBAC) was her favorite experience.

Let us know how it all turned out for you! I might have missed you already!

P.S. WHen I told my doc (Dr. Wolanski) I was frustrated that people just seem to roll their eyes - don't understand WHY I want to try to deliver my baby drug-free... he said: you know, people never question WHY I run marathons. It's JUST personal choice. Do you want to watch the amazing body in action? See what you're capable of? Or is it for the benefit of baby and mother? Don't let anyone make you feel silly for having a goal and wanting to achieve it - even if you don't have a specific reason for it!

I had all 3 of mine without drugs but it wasn't by choice. I WANTED the drugs and the bastards wouldn't give 'em to me. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah ... women were meant to have children, and have been doing it for centuries without drugs. blah blah blah. You can have your teeth pulled and leg amputated without drugs too ... but why would you? But I digress LOL

Try to stay as relaxed as possible, your body should do what it's meant to do. BUT, keep A. eye on it, not everyone's body reacts the same way to the stress of childbirth. Keep in contact with your doctor and if ANYTHING seems different or strange ... go to the hospital IMMEDIATELY. Trust your instincts.

With all 3 of mine they told me to just stay home until the contractions were consistantly 5 minutes apart and lasting 30-45 seconds or my water broke.

Good luck and you can do it :)

Oh of coarse you can....best of Luck and enjoy theat beutiful bundle that will soon be in your arms what a feeling that moment brings

Walk, walk and walk some more. I was late with my last two boys and walking is what broke my water. With my third boy I was due to be induced on Monday but I was out all day walking on Sunday I went home that night took a shower, went to bed and my water broke just after I laid down.

have you read Henci Goer's book The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth? It is full of statistical information and research on different ways of approaching birth, and I think you would benefit from it.

The number top two reasons people end up with unnecessary c-sections are induction of labor and epidurals.

Another book I can reccommend is Ina May Gaskin's Spiritual Midwifery, full of natural birth stories.

I had one epidural-free induction (ended in a c-section) and one home birth (44 hrs. of labor. ouch but worth it.)

There is nothing in your post that indicates that it is medically necessary to induce. Babies are born when they are ready. Unless the ultra shows a lack of fluid, I'd insist on waiting, personally. I had those ultras with my dd who was "overdue" according to what was convenient for the docotor, which had nothing to do with the physiology of my body or my baby's and they were all wrong about her weight. I was ready for a 10 pounder who was overbaked and hairless, what I had was a 7 pound wearwolf, covered in waxy stuff. Doctor was WRONG.

Whatever happens, I wish you a safe and healthy birth. You're amazing and you'll do great!

Like you, my first was A. induction from hell (started induction Thurs, baby not born until Sat night after 3 1/2 hours pushing), and they said he'd be big and he was barely 7lbs. My second was also induced, and it sucked, and he too was barely 7lbs. The epidurals never worked for me, so that plus pit really really hurt. My third I took control, and opted for a home birth...no hospitals, no drugs, no machines or induction or stress. I was able to go into labor naturally....she was my fastest labor (2 hours hard labor) and three pushes total and she was more than 8lbs. did it hurt, yes, but not as much as being induced.....You can do this, stay at home for as long as possible, get support if you can....in the end you will ultimately have a beautiful baby to hold and love....Bless you and good luck.

with my second A. ultrasound at 40 weeks said he was 10lbs, i flipped out, but he was only 8 lbs 13 oz. and he was a drug free birth at 41 weeks. I walked a LOT. Something I read today though, we are expecting number 4, (and my youngest is 8 so i'm out of the loop now) pain can induce labor, they say you should get your legs waxed ect if you aren't used to it cause it can cause contractions...... i'm not saying go hurt yourself but hey, if you need a wax....lol. seriously though walking did wonders for me, and if your water hasn't broken sex is great for inducing labor!

You can do it. I wasn't over due but did have weeks of false starts then a labor that lasted from Thursday morning to Saturday evening and I successfully have my son at home. He's healthy and happy. He's now 4 years old. My birth assistant and bradley instructor had A. 11 lb boy naturally at home after a long and hard delivery proving that she was right when she told all her students that God wouldn't give you a baby you couldn't birth. Also, one of the students in my bradley class was about a day shy of her 42 week deadline and after long walks and castor oil, she had a healthy baby boy at the birth center. I've also heard people have great success in using chiropractors that specialize in pregnant woman to help induce labor. You can find practictioners here: http://icpa4kids.org/. The list goes on.

You can do it. All the best to a happy and healthy boy (and I've yet to find a person that delivered a baby as big as the ultrasound predicted).

Some other suggestions to move the labor along. Pump your breasts using a breast pump if you have one, if not nipple simulation. The pumping may also help in getting the milk flowing after birth. And the getting intimate with your hubby is also a good suggestion.

You can do it! All my ultrasounds were way off on baby weight so it's only A. estimate.

Sweetie you can so do this. I'm going for a VBAC in august, so the last few months have been full of research. You're due date is nothing but a guesstimate. Babies are born when both mom and baby are ready. Big babies are just a little more fluff, and the fluff squishes, so it will come out the same way it went in. A seven pound baby and a ten pound baby can have the same head circumference. Not to mention ultrasounds can be A. average of two pounds inaccurate. You most definitely can do it. While your up at night I highly recommend http://birthdaymidwifery.com/ this is the woman that coined the term VBAC, she has great information and stories about natural child birth and some stories about big babies. It's definitely motivational.

Looks like you've got some wonderful advice here already. Wanted to add to ultrasound estimates from personal experience.

Basically, mine were right on point, just decimal ounces off. My first one was estimated 7lbs. 9 oz., and he was born at 7lbs. 4oz. ANd my second one was estimated 8 lbs. 4 oz, and born at 8 lbs. 1oz. Yeah!!! Pretty darn close for a basic grade/profile Ultrasound machine. With that said, not all estimates are created equal.

Listen to your doctor, but obey your body. The doctor is a professional, but you are the only one that can feel what goes on on the inside, YOU have the years of experience with your body, and it will not betray you if you just listen. I promise I was there...twice! If you feel like your body can "take it" and there are no other medical issues, just let mamma nature take care of you. Apply common sense. Congratulations on your soon to be born baby. Best wishes to you and your family.

WATER WATER!!! i found to me at my most relaxed when i took a nice warm bath. i could hardly even feel my contractions. and mines were really bad to the point of having to have morphine to control them. have you read about A. orgasmic birth? the same muscles and endorphins used to give birth are the same used during sex. i know this may be a little out there, but its proven to work. to actually turn this pain into pleasure, and maybe even having A. orgasim while giving birth. stimulating yourself by hand or toy, or even your partner doing it for you. setting the mood. relaxed calm and loving. lots and lots of encouragement and pleasure from your partner. its proven to work.
my birth was a disaster as well. i was in labor for two days. with on going contractions. non stop from 1-2 minutes apart. i neeeded morphine to regulate them, and i wasnt even to 4cm. so i went home, with them every 5 min. i couldnt sleep or eat. the bath was the only thing that calmed me. finally i had to go in in the afternoon. and i was so exhausted from the pain that i need A. epidural. i physically could not handle it. i was so weak. and my family decided to make it a party. so i got no rest. i wanted to have it natural. but life just didnt work out that way.
i plan to have a water birth for my next child. water is my element and i find myself most calm in it. the best of luck to you~

The ultrasounds are still just A. estimate. Your baby could be smaller than that. And as far as the baby being late... my FIRST baby was 11 days past due date... same as you tomorrow. My water broke at home after a morning of low backache. I'd been having mild contractions for well over a week, and I didn't feel any of them (they showed them to me on a monitor during a non-stress test done because of being so far past due date). But I was dilated several cm for several days prior to delivery.

When my water broke, we drove the 5 minutes to the hospital and our firstborn (son) was born about 7 hours later. I did it drug free, too. Sure it hurt... that last 2 cm is the WORST... but the rest was VERY manageable without drugs. And he was a larger baby as well... 8 lbs 12 oz.

I would try to get some rest, if you can. I know you must be very anxious... but relaxing is the best thing for you. Not just to gather your strength for the pending labor, but I think relaxing speeds up the labor process... because your body has a lot of stretching to do... and the more relaxed you are the easier that happens.

good luck and hang in there. You can do this!

DO A HAND STAND .. you know where you stand on your hands with your feet in the air... I know I sound absolutely crazy but I was overdue with my son who they told me was 9lbs and ended up going into labor contractions 5 mins apart 30 min later. Went to the hospital and had my son who was 8lbs 1 oz. about 10 hours later.. Good luck you will do fine just listen to your body

honestly you can do childbirth without drugs, i did and i dont regret a second of it. you recover much faster, and your greedy doctor doesnt get to make his next yacht payment on your dime. of course, your doctor wants to induce you and then slip you lots of drugs to hurry things along, he makes more money that way. we delivered our baby, without drugs, in our apartment bathroom,two months early, i didnt know i had gone into labor until it was too late to get to the hospital. the emts were called and they took first our baby and then me to the hospital, i refused all drugs and then checked myself out of the hospital the next day. so yes you can do this
they kept my baby for fourteen weeks, but thats another story
K. h.

You can do it! I went 41 weeks and 5 days. I labored for 48 hours. Finally my water broke then I pushed pushed for A. hour. Without drugs. And I am normally a wimp. My neighbor said to me the day before," Hunny, if I can do it with twins with no drugs,you can do it with just one." Good Luck!