37 week update

So today I had a regular old doctor's appointment, at 36.5 weeks, and I am 40% effaced, dialated to 1cm, mucus plug is gone, and the baby's head is RIGHT THERE. Like, the doctor TOUCHED IT. I have heard that that women can walk around for a while in this particular condition, but she says not so much. With an irritable uterus (such as mine), that doesn't happen. So here I go. Maybe. Or not. We will see .... any of you ladies cruise around with this effacement and stuff for a while?

You probably don't want to hear this, but with my first, I was 100% effaced and 2 cm dilated with a very low baby starting at about 37 weeks.  Baby was not born until 41 weeks.  I felt like I was balancing a bowling ball between my legs!  Not sure about the irritable uterus though, so maybe this will be it for you!  I was so ready for "any day now" for that entire month!  It got to the point where I stopped calling people or answering my phone because the people on the other end were always like "oh, no baby yet..."

Good luck!

Well, with this being my second it makes it a little different. My body NEVER did any of this on its own last time and I went to 42 weeks. We shall see ... :-)

I hate to say it, but with my second I was 80% and 3cm for 3 weeks. At 39 weeks, I finally talked them into breaking my water because I had 3 false alarms in one week. So I did not go into labor on my own. This last one again sat at 50% and 2cm for 4 weeks, then the last week I made only progress with effacement. Your body could be different. Hopefully you will wait another week or 2 so you can Keep that little pirate baking!

I have no intention of having my membranes stripped or having my water broken. After my first labor experience, I learned to let my body do what it needs to. Which was pretty much the point of my post - just that when you never have anything happen on its own the first time, its  really reassuring to know that my body will do what it needs to do when the time is right. Whether its two minutes or four weeks, she will come in her own time.

I'm sorry, I did not say that you were going to have that done. I was just saying that I stayed dilated for a long time and I had to have them do something to get things going. With last one I really wanted to go on my own, but I had super high blood pressure and it was starting to worry them.

Sorry that you took it the wrong way :-\

Oh, I totally get it. I didn't mean to come off snotty. I have started to swell and the doctor was just glad things were moving along so we don't have to worry about pre-eclampsia (sp?) I just meant that If she's starting things on her own, I want her to finish, instead of being the total control freak I am and making the decisions FOR her, you know? :-)

Oh Totally! I had all that pitocin (SP?) and all the bad things with baby #1! I swore up and down that I would never have another baby because it was the worse experience! So I totally know what you mean! Even thought they broke my water to get things going the 2nd and 3rd time, things were a LOT smoother. I will keep the good thoughts coming your way! Hopefully soon

i was 7cm dilated and 90% effaced at 33 weeks...and they sent me home to walk around for 2 weeks only to come back same effacement and only 1cm more dilated.  they broke my water at 35 weeks only because of other outside factors.  so yes it definitely happens, and i was miserable. i feel for you.

Feel free to throw some of that engagement and effacement my way! I am hoping things have moved along for me more like they have for you at my next appointment. Did you dr say that you should limit activity or that you are close enough to full term that if you go you go?