Does this mean labor could start soon?

[rachie]

Besides that I'm 39 weeks per 8 week ultra-sound (41 per LMP) - last Thursday my midwife said baby's head is WAY low/engaged in my pelvis. She did an internal exam (first one this pregnancy) and said the head is "right there" - that it's come down and pushed my cervix to the side (??) so she couldn't check cervix (for dilation) at that time but said cervix is VERY thin too.

But the weekend has come and gone - it's Tuesday. Labor has not started. There is SOOOO much pressure "down there" - it is absolutely crazy! My dd (second baby) was pretty low too but this is WAY worse!

I've heard that because baby is, like, right on cervix that walking may help labor start. Ya - how MUCH walking? - He, he. I mean I've taken a walk here and there but the contractions don't stick/turn into labor. I know baby will come when he/she comes - but I'm SOOO miserable with how low this baby ('s head) is!

[Kelly1101]

Well, you are term-- so yeah, labor could start soon

But there's no way of telling when, no matter where the baby's head is or what your cervix looks like. You could have a while, or you could go in the next few hours.

Walk, have sex, eat spicy things. Or just relax and save your energy for when it happens.

Hope it happens soon for you.

[rachie]

Originally Posted by Kelly1101

Well, you are term-- so yeah, labor could start soon

But there's no way of telling when, no matter where the baby's head is or what your cervix looks like. You could have a while, or you could go in the next few hours.

Walk, have sex, eat spicy things. Or just relax and save your energy for when it happens.

Hope it happens soon for you.

LOL! Ya - I was thinking about taking a walk but I'm wondering if I should just wait 'til it just happens and hope I have more energy this time.

[April422]

If you were my (doula) client. I'd suggest you rest, and enjoy your final days of being pregnant. Sure you can go pound the pavement in an attempt to get labor going, but do you really want to start labor already exhausted?

I know its tough, but really, baby will come when ready.

[rachie]

:)

Originally Posted by April422

If you were my (doula) client. I'd suggest you rest, and enjoy your final days of being pregnant. Sure you can go pound the pavement in an attempt to get labor going, but do you really want to start labor already exhausted?

I know its tough, but really, baby will come when ready.

Exactly. Thanks for the encouragement to do this (rest)! I think my last birth and recovery was so nice partly because I had rest before tough labor started. It would be great to recover that nicely again .

Cleaned up a bit this evening (totally nesting!!) - going to call it a night and go to sleep (also in case labor isn't for another week or two and I have to have energy to care for my two toddlers during the day!!)

[EMAID]

Rachel- I almost asked the same question tonight- to rest or to walk. I'm due on Thursday, and I'm sick of waiting, and I have no clear signs from this baby. Hang in there!

[rachie]

labor

39 weeks today (well, between 39 and 41). Couldn't sleep last night (forgot to take calcium/mag supplements). Up at 7am - feel so achy around my bladder - it's being squished SO much! I sit down in a hard wood chair for breakfast - I'm sitting on baby's head practically!!

I did a self-check out of curiosity - I can feel baby's head! It's not that far up! Reminds me of my last birth when baby's head was coming down and I could feel it!!! But everything's all re-arranged in there at the moment - baby's head came down in front of (pushed to side) cervix - ???

When I say "baby is low" - I mean baby is LOW and I am just SO miserable. Had some intense contractions last night but they were not consistent.

[birthjunkie27]

You sound pretty miserable... if I were in your shoes I'd probably try some nipple stimulation. But be careful because they can cause pretty intense contractions fairly quickly... I tried this to get labor going with my last baby but they always fizzled out as soon as I stopped the nipple stim.

[rachie]

ns

nipple stim has never worked for me (as far as the contractions KEEPING on going/starting "real" labor) - certainly does produce contractions - but with baby's head this low I get good contractions just from walking (but I guess that takes more energy, huh?)

My dh is a little worried about the cervix not being "down" (placement) but my mw didn't seem to think it was a problem so I'm not too worried. Anyone know about this type of thing? Think I'll post it as a different subject.