... aaand here's the part where I lose my mind.

Okay, Okay.  I will be 39 weeks on Sunday. I know the exact day I concieved and am positive this baby is that exact gestational age. This is the part of pregnancy where I lose my mind, and things I would not ordinarily consider in say, the second "honeymoon" trimester, start sounding like super good ideas that might solve the world peace issue.

I have a doctor's appointment in a half hour. and I am so uncomfortable I might lose my mind. I won't go over all of it again, but painful even to walk, prolapsed bladder, way too many bouts of pre-term labor requiring terbutaline and hospitalization... blah, blah, blah.

Last week I was 50% effaced and dilated to 1. If I am dilated past that, and more than 60-70% effaced, I am considering having my membranes stripped.

Fire away, let me have it ... what do you think? Have I lost my mind? I went to 42 weeks with the first and was induced, which I will NEVER do again (unless medically neccesary for baby's health) and I cannot even imagine making it another week, much less three.

 This may not be what you want to hear, but I'd wait it out and let nature take it's course. I made the mistake of agreeing to an induction with my older child (not medically neccessary, but "convenient" because I was 8 days overdue, uncomfortable and he was a large baby) and, like many, many inductions, I ended up with a C-section. I would never agree to induce now, but I was only 24 yrs old at the time, less educated about childbirth and less assertive than I am now!
A lot of studies suggest that the more interventions that are given to start a woman's labor, the more likely she is to end up with a C-section. I don't know if stripping the membranes is considered a major 'intervention' or not... but anything  that increases the odds of a C-section, I'd steer clear of! 
I really feel for you. I had very uncomfortable 3rd trimesters with both my kids... they were both really low, so I had stress incontinence (basically, if I so much as sniffled, I'd pee my pants if there was even a drop of liquid left in my bladder-- eek)... not much fun! But, you are in the home-stretch! Hang in there and good luck!

-V

Hi there,
Thanks so much for your input! Having your membranes stripped, like others said, isn't an induction. It only works if you are already dilated and the baby is ready anyway. Sometimes it does nothing. I would not induce again. I've been there, it was a nightmare, and like I said ... unless medically urgent, I will never do it again. Hopefully things will roll out on their own soon ...

Go ahead! Nothing wrong with having your membranes stripped. If little one is ready all it will do is job start labor, it won't cause you to have a c-section.

Good luck!!!

Agreed, and I did ask, but I guess hospital codes have changed around here and no one can do anything unless you are more than 39 weeks, so I'm counting down ... hahaha Thanks for your input! :-)

Keep breathing. You're almost there.  These few weeks of being this uncomfortable will be completely washed over when you have your little one in your arms and get to watch them grow up.  Do what you feel is best for you. 

Let us know how your doc appt went.

Hi Maryn,
Thanks for your encouragment! Today the visit went well, which was a nice surprise! She was concerned about baby's lack of movement, so I went to L& D and did a non stress test, and Layla came through with flying colors. She's perfect. More good news? I'm 70% effaced but still dilated to 1. Any progress IS progress thought ... we will see ...

i had my membraines stripped.... it didnt hurt... it actually felt good... my bag was bulging at this point and when she semi pushed it back it relived alot of pressure.. even it was only for 5 mins until i stood back up... i went into labor with her the next day... if baby isnt ready it wont do anything... if baby is.. then it may or may not start labor...

Lexa, I think you and I have very similar pregnancies. Pretty much everything you post sounds familiar. So, next week if I am still preggo, I will have her strip them. I'm 70% effaced as it is, and at the beginning of dilating, so lets get this show on the road.

Strip 'em!