Two years ago, my daughter Linnea was born at around 6:00 a.m. on her due date. You can’t get much more “on time” than that! So I was quite shocked when my due date rolled around last Wednesday and nothing happened. I’ve been having little contractions, but nothing to suggest that a baby is about to arrive. I know that due dates are just approximations and that plenty of women carry their babies for days or even weeks longer, but as I told Josh last night, this wasn’t part of my plan.
Appropriately, he laughed out loud at me. “Well, I guess you just learned something about plans,” he said good-naturedly. Thankfully for him, I was feeling relatively good-natured as well.
What can I say? I am a planner. At work, I’ve had my maternity leave marked on my calendar for months. I worked my tail off to complete all of the projects that I wanted to get done before my leave. Now, I am scrambling to find things to keep me occupied. Same deal at home. I washed all of the teeny-tiny clothes—for boy and girl—months ago, folding each piece lovingly and placing them in bins in the kids’ room. Sure, there’s still plenty to do around the house (it never ends), but the essential baby-related tasks are complete.
I have nothing to do but try to pass the time patiently, and frankly, I don’t have the energy to do much else. Yesterday, I googled some past-due topics and found several lists of things to do while waiting. It was my turn to laugh out loud. Bake a casserole to have ready in the fridge? Learn to knit baby booties? Are you f’ing kidding me? Sure, maybe at 37, 38, or even 39 weeks pregnant, but at 40+? Forget it.
I’m taking a decidedly different approach, limiting my activities to the following:
- entertaining the kiddo (her favorite game right now involves building a “nest” on my bed and pretending to sleep in it; I am really good at this game),
- household maintenance (absolutely nothing ambitious—just keeping us in clean underwear),
- eating (of course),
- anything that might get this labor started (I’ve tried it all),
- reading positive birth stories,
- taking baths, and, of course,
- sleeping!
Thankfully, Josh and Linnea are on board. My dear girl stayed in her bed this morning until 8:30—a record, to be sure. I haven’t slept this much in more than two years. What better prep for bringing home a new baby, right? Uncharacteristically, I’m starting to embrace this quiet waiting period. Life often delivers just the tests we need, and post-due-date pregnancy is reminding me that while there’s a time for productivity, there’s also a time to let go.
*****
I Want to Know
What tests has life put in your path lately?
What do you do to pass the time while waiting?
What tests has life put in front of me? Well! In your last episode I learned that you’ve been having sex! If that wasn’t enough, in this one I find you’re comfortable with using “f-ing” in public. Where did MY baby go?
Beyond that, your test is my test. Every time my phone rings I jump up, fumble around, drop it a couple of times, only to miss the call, but see that it was your mom or one of your brothers with what’s probably a stupid question or comment about something. Don’t they know I am WAITing?
Even though my motto/mantra at work is “patience and persistence” I am an impatient waiter. I’m sure sticking with the work mantra leads to all sorts of unresolved stress, but there I have to model it if I hope others will. Here, I don’t as much. It doesn’t help to be impatient at all, but maybe it’s less stressful.
Enjoy the sleep and enjoy Linnea’s nesting – maybe it’s contact nesting after all.
Ha! Well, read here at your own risk, I guess!
I feel bad calling anyone right now because they except that I’ll actually have some news. Alas.
I think I know where I got the “impatient waiter” gene!
From one whose kids got later every time (almost 3 weeks for the third) I have no advice except to say you’re getting more sleep now than you soon will be getting, so enjoy it! Erin was just like her mom! They were going to induce her if she didn’t go into labor and she didn’t want that so she went to a massage therapist who did some special massage to help get things going. Might have been a coincidence but she went into labor. And who doesn’t like a massage? Good excuse to get one, if nothing else.
When I was “waiting for Kelly,” I quit work on my “due date” so had almost 3 weeks at home. I was tired out from my job and having 2 little kids so the naps with Brian and time at home were welcome. Watching chick flicks also is a nice option. Reading is nice. In the bathtub is even nicer.
This is the last time for a long time you can relax and think about how to fill your time. Relish every moment.
Thanks, Kathy! Three weeks–my goodness! That sounds like a very long time indeed.
I think a pregnancy massage sounds delightful, and I know exactly where I could get one. I might have to schedule one for next weekend, just in case!
I’ve been wanting to watch a chick flick on pay-per-view after Linnea goes to bed, but I can’t stay awake long enough.
Come on, baby! I went to 41.5 weeks with Emma and I was SO READY for her to come (also with E & D at 38.5 weeks, which was kind of overdue for them, being twins). It’s hard to not know when it’s going to happen, and also to be so dang uncomfortable and unable to do anything! I mostly laid around outside, or on the couch, watched TV and surfed the web, and occasionally went on walks or grocery store runs to hopefully move things along. I was lucky to have my mom around helping with Emma the second time, and I just kept telling myself they would come when they were ready, and every day inside helps them be stronger and ready to face the big world outside when they finally arrive!
Good luck, I’ll be stalking you and hope to hear great happy news very soon!
Kristin @ Intrepid Murmurings recently posted..Happy 3rd Birthday Elsie and Delia!
Thanks, Kristin! I can NOT imagine carrying twins to 38.5 weeks! You are a trooper. I am lucky to have a lot of help, too.
You’re totally right that every day on the inside makes them more ready for the “real world.” I keep reminding myself of that!
I just read through all of the Emmasota blog tonight. It is a nice read. I particularly liked the info that you passed about your friend who was put in jail for something that he didn’t do. I really feel for him. I hope that he gets into the wrestling team for the olympics too. Please give my blog a view as well. I promise to only post this once: http://purelyhim.blogspot.com
Keep it up,
John Taylor
PurelyHim recently posted..Vol 2- Episode 22
Thanks for reading, John. I didn’t realize that you are a blogger, too. Will check it out!
I’ve been waiting for the post on when you have your baby
I love how you closed this though…a time for waiting and time for letting go. Enjoy your last days…and my prayers with you as you bring new life into this world so very shortly!
Jolene recently posted..Throwbacks- summer- a time for singles or couples
Thanks, Jolene. You are so sweet! I can’t wait to update the blog with news of the babe!
I am excited for you. You are so close! I was in this same boat a little over a month ago. Patience is not my virtue so like you, I was trying everything to try and get labor started. Good luck!
Alecia @ Hoobing Family Adventures recently posted..Boobs Can Spoil a Party