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I know! If you’re in the final few weeks or days of your pregnancy you’re probably wondering what on earth I’m talking about – an upside? Really?!
As I hit the publish button I am 40 weeks and 2 days into my second pregnancy – three days behind the Duchess of Cambridge according to the papers. I was convinced that Tin Box Baby 2 was going to come early and am quite frankly surprised to still be harbouring a massive bump. In my mind I went overdue weeks ago.
However, what is a due date really? It’s a best guess – it’s not set in stone. In France your due date is worked out differently and mums-to-be have another week to produce. There’s even been research to suggest that length of pregnancy can vary by up to five weeks with it being considered quite normal to give birth any time in a 37 day window. Basically, you shouldn’t, but us mums do, get hung up on that ringed date on the calendar.
Anyway, it would be far too easy for me to write about the long list of things that make reaching and going beyond 40 weeks pregnant down right irritating. But frankly this has already been done across dozens of online forums. Plus, I’m a positive soul and for now I’m going to ignore the fact that I feel the size of a planet, have ankles akin to an elephant’s and can hardly haul myself out of bed any more. Let’s celebrate the good stuff!
So, at the risk of upsetting a lot of uncomfortable ladies (sorry!*) and with the sincere intention of putting a positive spin on the topic of hitting 40 weeks with no sign of a baby, here’s my upsides to being overdue:
1. It’s likely you’ve run out of jobs to do pre-baby so can actually put your feet up and get the naps you need.
2. If there is anything you’ve forgotten or not quite had time to organise you’ve been given what feels like a gift of extra time.
3. Your nearest and dearest are waiting too and if they’ve got any sense will be using every spare moment to make life easier for you by cooking the odd meal, walking the dog or popping by to play with any other kids in the house. If they are not, now is the time to drop some serious hints!
4. Even if you don’t have the will to reply to all the ‘is it here yet’ texts and messages, it’s lovely to know so many people care about you and are just as excited as you about your imminent new arrival. So what if they drop the odd ‘baby will come when it’s ready’ clanger. It’s just words and phones can be ignored.
5. If you’re not being kept awake at night by weird pregnancy dreams, you’re certain to be getting a better nights sleep than if you had a newborn already. If you are a first time mum, trust me on this one!
Maybe if I get to 41 weeks I’ll feel differently, but right now as a second time mum I’m not going to get too worried about waiting a bit longer.
I’d love to know if you have experienced any other upsides to being overdue. Please do share as I’m sure there’s lots of mums-in-waiting out there that could do with feeling a bit more positivity in the their final few days with a bump.
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*I’m really not saying that I don’t want to meet my baby or that the prospect of induction fills me with glee. I’ve been there and done that – not fun!
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Ahhhh naps….. Little one must be very comfortable in there. I hope he/she comes without the need for induction. I've been there too. Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
Great post – so much negativity around an overdue baby.All 4 of my babies were overdue – all born at 42 weeks and 2 induced. #TheList
This is a great list! I wish I thought about these things when I went overdue. It's so hard to not get caught up in a web of impatience and actually use the time to relax and do loads of 'you' things that you won't have time to after baby is born #thelist K x
I agree, there's no rush. I hate it when I see people getting hopeful that a baby will come early and then upset when it doesn't. There's no need to put yourself through the stress x
Absolutely right, but it's easy to get hung up on that estimate. I've always tried not to and it's helped to keep me calm 🙂 x
If only we had had the space in our freezer, I might have done the same 🙂 x
Ugh! Nausea is bad enough, but HG – not good! My (very mild and shouldn't really complain at all) nausea came back in the final few weeks. Your hormones do really start to race in those final few days which makes waiting even more painful! x
I don't think the 5% figure is talked about enough. There would be a lot less wound up mums-to-be around if it was! x
I was certain I would be early, so don't count on it. Five days over in the end. Good luck..if baby hasn't appeared already!
The sleep comment made me laugh … one to remember. I was over the allowed limit before my little one showed up with some prompting! I could never understand people's pity for my overdue situation. I didn't understand the rush even though it's scary when medical folks start getting concerned. It's like, once they're here, you can't send them back; right. Indeed, I wouldn't want to send my back but I was happy to wait to see him in the flesh. #TwinklyTuesday
These are great points made. I couldn't agree more. I had one baby two weeks late and one baby a month early and I just think they got the dates off. I never once focused on the date at all with either and it made me more relaxed and ready for them I think. Even two weeks over didn't bother me at all. I think due dates are just an estimate. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me #sharewithme
All these points are great! Thought at almost 2 weeks overdue, i started running out of things to do. I was able to make a few more crock pot meals 🙂 Good luck! #sharewithme
I was exactly a week overdue with Boo, which wouldn't have been so bad had I not still had the 24/7 nausea that remained after my HG subsided at about 19 weeks.
It's always good to have the positives in mind =) I was eager to meet Boo though and I am not good at waiting!!
I have 7 days to go and I am actually not yet at the desperation stage of wanting them here now, in fact I am no where near ready! My little boy was 9 days late and every day over felt like a lifetime but this time it seems so different – which is why I will probably be early!!
This is a great perspective. I've seen the due date referred to as a "guess date", which I love. Only something like 5% of babies show up on their due date! It does make me wonder about scheduled C-sections, though, when there's such variation! Thanks for linking up at #TwinklyTuesday.
I was appreciating my bump earlier and thinking how much I'm going to miss it. We're not planning any more so it is a bit sad. I'm enjoying it while I can 🙂 x
Thank you. Yes! Rest, rest, rest. Start lining people up now to look after your first while you grab some extra sleep 😉 x
Very sensible. I kind of told myself that this time too. At 37 weeks I was thinking I could have five weeks left even though it sounded absurd. For me the first 30 weeks dragged and then it flew by. Hope things get easier for you in your last month or so x
Thank you. Frustration is only natural. I hope things start moving for you soon x
I was overdue with my first two , 8 days with oldest and 6 with my middle one and my son would have been overdue too if i had not of had an early induction. I was so frustrated at first but then i kind of relaxed and enjoyed it as it was extra time feeling those kicks and having a bump. And i could rest and be lazy which was brilliant. Enjoy lovely as i am sure tinbox baby will be here when you least expect it xx
Im 35+4 today and totally fed up. Since I've been having all my monitoring and extra scans it's really dragged which is so annoying because it was flying by this time! However, when I was pregnant with Toby I always told myself my due date was 2 weeks after what they'd said so that if he didn't come on time, I wouldn't be disappointed! #mummymonday
I love this post, it's so positive. My son was born at 34 weeks so I have no idea what it feels like to be overdue, although now I've had a baby next time I will try and catch up on as much sleep/rest as possible 🙂
#TwinklyTuesday
Becky xx
Good suggestions! I'm due a week on Friday, so not at the overdue stage yet, but definitely frustrated already! I assumed with my last I'd be early and she was 8 days late. Due date really is just a 'it could be anytime a few weeks either side of this date' date!!! Going to try and not get too focused on next Friday!! Best of luck!! x #ShareWithMe
Ooh, cooking up meals is the things that's bugging me at the moment. Wed only have a small freezer and it's already choca with lasagnes. You can never have enough pre-prepared meals 🙂 x
I know what you mean about control. I keep planning what I'm doing a day ahead of time, but having to remind myself that it those things might not happen. The control freak in me is hating it, but my feet are loving it 🙂 x
Phew! Thank goodness for that. Tin Box Tot was four days over so I'm coming up to the most pregnant I've ever been very fast. I am shamelessly enjoying putting my feet up though 🙂 x
4 out of my 5 kids were over due and it's true; although you're waiting for something to happen, everything's usually done and you can get on with some well earned rest.I didn't I ended up cooking and freezing a bucket load of meals so I made things easier for myself after I had my baby. x
I was immediately caught by your title and wanted to read as you are right there is so much on the negative side. I was overdue by two weeks first time and in the end positively grumpy but I do agree with your upsides too. I think my distress (which was not straightaway) was more to do with waiting on the edge of the unknown and not feeling in control. I did genuinely give up doing most stuff and just be nice to myself in those weeks. Great read. Thanks #sharewithme
Aw, this is so nice! I went over with both my girls but I 'knew' I would and I knew it would be 10 days. It wasn't until I was 9 days over with number two that I got edgy. I didn't want to be wrong!! Haha! Luckily, she didn't disappoint!
It's only natural to focus on the due date. After all our midwives and consultants bang on about it for months. I reckon you'll beat me to it. Another friend had her baby today. Everyone is getting there ahead of me it it can't be much longer now 🙂 x
I hope you get some movement before then. The body is a funny old thing. My first labour started within hours of the last thing in my diary. It's almost as if baby knew it was OK to come out now. Good luck! X
Ha, 'slow cooker' I like that. Thank you x
Thank you! Me too but maybe I can fit in one more peaceful night before then 😉 x
I love this post! Ah yes – we should totally make the best of the rest and attention while we can. I wish I didn't get so hung up on the silly due date! Hope you're feeling well and can't wait to hear your news sooooon 🙂 Mim x
Fab post and refreshing to see a positive perspective on being overdue. That said, I hope Tin Box Baby decides to get a wiggle on soon and to see your happy news!
I was overdue with both of mine and I completely agree it's not that bad! Especially with number one it was great to get all my jobs done and enjoy some time off before she came along. If I have another baby I have pretty much accepted that my uterus is a slow cooker and I am fully expecting to be overdue again. Good luck for when your little one comes. #TwinklyTuesday
Great post, I'm now 41+2 and all I can think about is the induction that has been booked for Friday morning.