Had my 41 week appointment today. All my stats are great still (phew!), and baby girl is doing really well.
The first thing my MW said was that my belly totally changed shape from last week. She said it's lost width and looks much more round. She said both were really good signs because that usually means labor is right around the corner. She said that changing shape like I have generally means my fluid level is lower, which is an impending labor sign at this stage of pregnancy. I hadn't heard this before... She just said she's seen it so many times in her clients.
Then she checked low for the head (like always) and could just feel the nape of her neck because her head is so deep in my pelvis. Since I am a 4th time mom, dropping doesn't happen early, but this is much lower than she has been. Another good sign I am really close.
So she says within 72 hours labor should start. I'm downright curious if she's right! (If not, that's okay - I am fine with waiting, though I do want to meet her!) My MW has got more than 800 births under her belt, so I trust her judgment, though I don't expect her to be able to predict the future. I asked about when I should stress about my placenta not working properly and she said the ONLY thing I should think about is her movement. She said she should be harder to wake now because she's got more established sleep patterns given her age, but when she's awake, her movements should be strong. She said that's the best possible sign of everything working as it should. If I truly can't wake her with poking, soda, etc., I should call her. Otherwise, she said, I shouldn't worry about it.
No discussion of NSTs or a BPP or anything like that. She didn't even suggest anything to start labor at all. She said that I will be happiest if I let her decide when she's ready. She said those are the best labors and deliveries. I am totally fine with that. At this point, I probably *could* send myself into labor if I tried, but I really want *her* to start the dance. I feel really blessed to be in the position to give her the lead.
So more waiting!
I have non-stop BH, but I really can't complain about them since there's no pain involved.
I hope the other overdue mamas are doing well today!
Laura
The first thing my MW said was that my belly totally changed shape from last week. She said it's lost width and looks much more round. She said both were really good signs because that usually means labor is right around the corner. She said that changing shape like I have generally means my fluid level is lower, which is an impending labor sign at this stage of pregnancy. I hadn't heard this before... She just said she's seen it so many times in her clients.
Then she checked low for the head (like always) and could just feel the nape of her neck because her head is so deep in my pelvis. Since I am a 4th time mom, dropping doesn't happen early, but this is much lower than she has been. Another good sign I am really close.
So she says within 72 hours labor should start. I'm downright curious if she's right! (If not, that's okay - I am fine with waiting, though I do want to meet her!) My MW has got more than 800 births under her belt, so I trust her judgment, though I don't expect her to be able to predict the future. I asked about when I should stress about my placenta not working properly and she said the ONLY thing I should think about is her movement. She said she should be harder to wake now because she's got more established sleep patterns given her age, but when she's awake, her movements should be strong. She said that's the best possible sign of everything working as it should. If I truly can't wake her with poking, soda, etc., I should call her. Otherwise, she said, I shouldn't worry about it.
No discussion of NSTs or a BPP or anything like that. She didn't even suggest anything to start labor at all. She said that I will be happiest if I let her decide when she's ready. She said those are the best labors and deliveries. I am totally fine with that. At this point, I probably *could* send myself into labor if I tried, but I really want *her* to start the dance. I feel really blessed to be in the position to give her the lead.
So more waiting!
I have non-stop BH, but I really can't complain about them since there's no pain involved.I hope the other overdue mamas are doing well today!
Laura
I admire your attitude!!
We will all have stories to share really soon!
