9 Thoughts That Every Overdue Pregnant Mother Has (and Why you’re not Alone)
You have reached the stage. You’ve reached>that/em> stage.
Waiting is not the only thing that goes into being overdue. This emotional rollercoaster is filled with strange body changes, unpredictable emotions, and lots of unsolicited advice. You’re not the only one who feels like she’s been pregnant for 92 years. Here are nine thoughts that every pregnant woman has experienced, sometimes all in the same hour.
1. Why Does My Tummy Have Corners?
Once upon a baby bump, it was smooth, round and, dare we admit, cute. Now, after weeks or what seems like decades, into your third trimester, you can see angles. Corners. Lumps. What the heck is happening?
Your baby’s presence is being made known by elbows, knees and feet. A rogue hand has also been spotted. Your womb is like a board game called Twister.
Here’s some good news. All this prodding and poking is a pretty clear sign that your tenant is running out of space. These lumpy shapes might seem alien, but they are a sign of late pregnancy. Even if your baby is determined to leave on their mysterious timeline, you’re in the final stretch.
2. Is it Socially Acceptable to Yell at People Who Ask if the Baby’s Here Yet?
Any sign of the Baby?
“Nope.”
“Still pregnant?”
“Yes. Still. Obviously.”
Overdue is one of the most frustrating things. Everyone, and we do mean every person, suddenly wants hourly updates. You can’t leave the house or check your phone for a message saying “You haven’t popped yet?”
If you had popped, you would be posting pictures of a tiny wrinkled person in a swaddle and not stumbling around the supermarket looking at pineapples or Googling Acupressure Points.
It is perfectly normal to feel the urge to scream if someone asks you if your child has arrived. It’s not rude. It’s hormonal. It’s justifiable.
3. What if I Don’t Know How to “Mum ‘?
When you are lying on a mountain of pillows in the middle of the night, and the thought creeps into your mind: But what if I don’t know what I’m doing?
Every new mother has this fear. No matter how many books you have read about babies, how many classes you’ve taken, or how well-organised your nursery is, it doesn’t matter. Even a whisper of doubt may sneak up on you.
No one knows how to become a mother until they are one. It’s not necessary to know everything. You will learn as you go (no matter how swollen your feet may be). Your instincts are your best guide. Ask for help. Remember that the most important thing to do is to love your baby, and you have already begun doing this.
4. Why Can’t I Just Make this Baby Come Out Already?!
You’ve tried everything. You’ve tried it all. Dates. Curb walking. Evening primrose oil. You can also use evening primrose oil.
Nothing.
It’s a real frustration. You’re ready. You’ve got your hospital bag packed, installed the car seat, and washed the baby clothes in the magically smelling detergent that everyone swears by. It turns out that babies have their schedule.
The cruellest thing about nature is that your baby will chill in the cradle like they are on vacation. What’s the best thing to do right now? Rest. Rest. Take a nap guilt-free. Takeout is available. The days without a baby are numbered. Enjoy them while you can.
5. Can My Boobs Get Any Bigger? (Spoiler: Yes. Yes, they can. )
Oh, those boobs. Some women experience a cleavage that is a fantasy come true. Others feel like they are being snatched up by a fertility goddess with no way to turn it off.
Just when you thought they couldn’t possibly get fuller, hello colostrum. It’s time to get ready for breastfeeding. Your chest has been busy making some changes. Sore nipples, anyone? Check. Random leakage? Possibly. What if bras that fit perfectly last week feel like torture devices from the Middle Ages? Absolutely.
You are preparing your body for the next stage. While it may be wild for a while, this boob trip is only temporary.
6. Who Am I Right Now?!
You look in the mirror, and you do a double-take. You’ve noticed that your face has gotten a bit puffier, you have a huge belly, and your walk looks like a penguin with a backpack. And, for the first time in weeks, you can’t see your feet.
It can be disconcerting not to feel like. You can grieve for a while for our pre-pregnancy selves. Growing a child is one of life’s most mind-bending and body-altering experiences.
You are a miracle machine. You’re a miracle machine. You have grown a brain, a heart and bones from nothing. You may not recognise the version of yourself in the mirror, but it’s a strong and capable woman who is about to accomplish something amazing.
7. How Spicy is ‘Spicy Enough’ to Induce Labour?
You’re ready to do almost anything at this point. Especially if you can finally see your baby and regain your bladder.
Induction rituals. Spicy food, Pineapple. Clary sage essential oil. Long walks. Sexy Time (yes, you can feel sexy even if you are as lumbering as a manatee). Nipple stimulation. Acupuncture. Reflexology. The list goes on.
What is the limit of spicy food? Will I have heartburn or go into labour?
There is no magic pill. Science is still catching on to the super-hot curry and acupressure points that some women swear by. These things will give you agency during a period that can feel out of control.
Just maybe don’t try everything in one day, especially not all at once (we’re looking at you, curry-and-nipple-stimulation combo).
8. Is My Baby an Alien?
It moves as you’re lying down on the couch with your hands on your belly. It’s not just a nudge. A full-on ripple. A wave. A body roll that looks like something out of a science-fiction movie.
It’s bizarre, hypnotic and unsettling. Is your child breakdancing? Gymnastics routine performed by your baby? Communication with the mothership
This strange undulation of your belly is just your baby trying to get comfortable–or perhaps staging one final prenatal protest. Although it may look like something from Alien, you are still in the realm of normal pregnancy.
But what about? Film it! You (and your future child) will be amazed.
9. Am I Ready for This?!
The big question. You know the one you get when Braxton Hicks starts, when you finish folding the last onesie or when you lie in bed and wonder if will be the night.
Am I ready?
What is the truth? You may never feel completely ready. It’s okay.
Baby manuals are not included with the purchase of a baby. All parents, whether it is their first or fourth baby, feel some uncertainty. It’s important to love your child, do your best and show up. Guess what? By worrying about being a great mother, you’re already doing it.
You’re ready sooner than you think. You’ve become a human being. You’ve planned, panicked and Googled. You’ve laughed, cried, and waited. You are walking into the unknown, but you do it with courage and love.
Conclusion
Being overdue can make you feel alone. You’re not alone. You’re not alone. Countless mothers have gone through this final phase feeling emotional, overwhelmed and over it. But they came out stronger, with their baby in arms.
Take a deep breath. Whether you’re crying about a dog-food commercial, eating the third breakfast of the morning, or plotting revenge against the person who says, “Still, no baby?, take a moment to calm down.
You are doing great. Your wait will soon be over, and the real adventure begins.
