Q: Dealing with late pregnancy?

Posted Tuesday, March 06, 2007 9:32 PM

Q: I'm going absolutely crazy waiting for this baby to come out. Is there anything I can do?  

A: Here’s an answer you won’t like: Not really. Home remedies, from walking to sex to spicy food to mopping the kitchen floor, are harmless -- but most often ineffective. Other strategies (think herbal supplements, nipple stimulation and castor oil) can work, but might bring on killer contractions that can be dangerous to your baby and super-painful to you. Don't try anything without your midwife or doctor’s advice. Most doctors will recommend inducing labor by 41 or 42 weeks, so the end is in sight.

You’ve heard it before, but we’ll say it again: Use this time to take care of you, before you have to take care of baby. Sleep, read, go to the movies -- anything that distracts you from the Big Waiting Game. Oh, and it’s a good idea to turn off the ringer on your phone and let voice mail take the calls. Nothing’s more annoying right now than 101 calls asking where that baby is.

QA Index