How to cope with being overdue with no sign of labour!

Have you seen that meme of the large bellied orangutan with an eviction notice painted over its belly? That might be how you feel if you have hit 41 weeks pregnant with no sign of labour. You may be wondering how to cope with being overdue. No matter how much you have enjoyed your pregnancy, you will probably be tired.

Tired of waiting to meet your baby, tired of being pregnant, or just plain old tired! For some of us, going even 3 days past due date can feel like being 3 months overdue. Even worse, you probably feel like you do not know what to do with yourself while you wait.

This article will give you some tips on how to cope with being overdue. It will also give you some hints as to why your baby is overdue. Why is it that your baby seems to want to stay in there an extra 10 months?

Table of Contents

What causes a baby to be overdue?

A full term pregnancy is about 40 weeks long. Once you go past the 42 week mark though, you are generally classed as overdue. Of course, in some countries and in different hospitals within some countries, these classifications may vary.

There are various reasons why a pregnancy might go past the due date. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons why in many cases. It could be any of the following reasons:

First pregnancy. When it is the first time that your body is going through pregnancy and labour, it is possible for it to be a slower and longer process.
Genetic predisposition. If the women in your family (mom and sister, for example) have had pregnancies that went past the due date, you are likely to have one too.
Overweight. While people tend to link premature babies with overweight mothers, it can also happen that overweight moms have their babies late instead.
Incorrect calculation. Differences in period cycles for women means that predicting due dates is not an exact science. Also, not all women can accurately remember the date of their first period which is one of the easiest ways to estimate the due date. Getting the due date wrong means that you may not be due as early as you think. This also explains why in some places, your doctor might give you your due date in terms of month rather than day.
Use of oral contraception before conception. Interestingly, some people link a history of use of oral contraception to an overdue pregnancy.

Regardless of the reason why you are overdue, rest assured that you will not be allowed to carry your baby beyond a specific time.

How long can you be overdue for?

How long you are overdue for really depends on the birthing facility you have chosen. It is important that you continue to be closely monitored by your doctor. Most hospitals have a limit. A lot of hospitals will not allow you to go over 42 weeks without offering you a membrane sweep and eventually offering an induction.

This is because it is not always safe to carry your baby too long. The amount of time depends on your specific medical circumstances but carrying your baby past the due date is not all bad.

benefits of baby being overdue — Pin for later!

4 Benefits of your baby being overdue

Higher standardized test scores. Studies have found that babies who are born after 41 weeks are likely to have better test scores when it comes to standardized testing.
Better temperature control at birth. Coming out later means that babies might find it easier to regulate their body temperature.
Better muscle development. Overdue babies have more time inside the womb to develop their muscles and so may come out with stronger muscles.
Lower likelihood of experiencing any of the common premature baby problems. Like underdeveloped hearing, jaundice and underdeveloped lungs.

How to relax when overdue

If moving around is physically not impossible for you to do, one of the below activities will help you to cope with being overdue. Once you hit 41 weeks pregnant with no sign of labour, some of these activities might actually help to bring labour along! Simply by being active, you increase the chances of finally going into labour. However, when you are trying to cope with being overdue, you need things to do that will distract you from how far past your due date you have gone.

1. Pamper yourself

Once your newborn arrives, unless you have a small army helping you out, you may struggle to find much pamper time. Fit in as much as you can now. Get your nails done, get a facial or have your hair professionally done. Without over tiring yourself, do something to make yourself feel beautiful.

2. Go window shopping

If you enjoy going shopping anyway, then this is a great activity for you. Going window shopping is useful when you have gone past your due date because you are not only getting in some walking, but you might also find some items that you forgot to purchase for your newborn or for your postpartum period.

postpartum shopping list — Pin for later!

3. Take an antenatal class

You might have, at some point, stopped signing up for different antenatal classes because you felt like you did not have time to attend them or did not even need them. Well, now that you have some extra time on your hands, sign up for and attend those additional classes that you now wish you had attended. Baby first aid and breathing or Lamaze classes are good ones that you either have not considered or did not think you would need.

4. Have lunch with friends

The likelihood of your friendships changing quite drastically once your baby arrives is very high. You might not have much time to actively maintain your friendships in the coming months. Use this time to catch up with friends. Meet in small groups for lunch or short walks, for example.

5. Have a daily task list

Being able to tick items off your list of things to do each day will give you a much needed sense of achievement. It will help to ensure that you do not feel like you are simply sitting around all day waiting for labour to start.

6. Go see a movies

This is something that will be very difficult to achieve if you have no help. Without a sitter, you would be forced to take your baby with you to the cinema. Very few moms would be happy to do that. If you can deal with sitting still for around two hours, go see a really movie now.

7. Keep your friends and family updated

There might be nothing more annoying when you are 41 weeks pregnant with no sign of labour than to constantly receive texts and calls from friends and family checking to see if your little one has arrived yet. Do yourself a favour and make it easier for yourself to relax by sending out a single broadcast message to your loved ones once you hit 41 weeks, for example. Let them know that you are now past your due date and that you will let them know as soon as something changes so that they can celebrate with you. The more thoughtful ones among them will get the message!

8. Do some cooking

If cooking relaxes you, this is an excellent way to pass your time. Also, if you are up to it, making a bunch of freezable meals will go towards making your early days with your newborn that much easier. You can prepare some food to freeze for those days when you are too busy to cook but would rather save money than spend on takeout.

pregnant woman with hand on belly — Pin for later!

9. Breathe

Finally, take some deep breaths. Your body has been working hard growing a baby for months now and it is not even over yet! It is understandable if you are tired and fed up. You will not be pregnant forever, however, the newborn stage is not always easy for every mom either. Take advantage of the baby being in your belly for now and enjoy your ‘free’ time. Just sit and stare into space sometimes. Breathe and relax.

What have you been doing to cope with being overdue? How far along are you?