Getting nervous

[Aries1985]

First, I know I still have time, lots of time, for things to happen on their own, but I'm getting nervous that it won't.

I'm 36 weeks today. My OB is VBAC supportive until 41 weeks. After that I schedule a c-section or be transferred to a high risk OB. As of now, I'm leaning towards being transferred unless there's something wrong. This has been a totally complication free pregnancy just like my first one. That ended in a c-section after a failed induction. My dd couldn't tolerate pitocin.

On Friday (35 weeks 5 days), I was 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Baby was at a -2 station. I'm having lots and lots of pressure and have been having it off and on for a couple weeks now.

I just really want to have this baby before 41 weeks to avoid switching doctors and stressing about the prospect of another c-section.

[cairomama]

You are covered either way. It is a much better position to be in than many people because you know who you are switching to if you go past 41 weeks. Also, you might be able to get more time once you do hit 41 weeks.

Visualize the date you want, but relax about it.

[CookAMH]

Your nervousness is understandable! Those are good signs, but it's so hard to remember and TRUST that no matter what your body shows, it can go into labor lickity split with no prior indication. Your body knows!

I too would transfer to the other OB instead of consenting to the repeat c/s. Keep us posted and immerse yourself in positive vbac birth stories! Do you have an ICAN group that you can go to for some support in person?

[alyrie]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

I too would transfer to the other OB instead of consenting to the repeat c/s.

ITA! Good luck, mama! Please keep us posted!

[lexiejk4]

I would transfer too, if it came to that. If at 35 weeks you were already at 1cm, then that is good. Maybe baby knows your deadline and planning to arrive before you have to make a choice.

[smeep]

Dilation and effacement prior to labour has NO indication on when your baby will be born. DS hadn't even dropped prior to active labour and, to my knowledge, I had no dilation or effacement until I started early labour (and I only assume some work got done because when I got to the birth center 1 1/2 hours into active labour I was already 5cm dilated and he was born only 4 hours after that!). Dilation and effacement during labour don't always mean anything either. I've heard of women who were only at 3, 4, 5 cm and then an hour later the baby was born! You really never know, so don't fret about it. Often times stress will cause your body to wait longer because sometimes it goes into "flight" mode where it shuts down because it assumes there is danger and won't birth a baby into a dangerous situation, KWIM?

Good luck and I'm sure you'll do great! Just trust your instincts and DO NOT CONSENT to anything unless you feel deep down that it's the right decision. They CANNOT force you into anything! Even if it means showing up in active labour and repeating, "I do not consent, I do not consent!"

[Monkey Keeper]

Hopefully the high risk OB will "let" you go longer with monitoring! My VBAC baby was born at 41+2. I did encourage him to vacate with a cocktail of massage/chiro/acupressure/acupuncture. I too went through a lot of insecurity, having never started labor on my own before. But my body knew what to do, and so does yours! Have faith in it!!

[Aries1985]

Thanks everyone!

I woke up early yesterday with lots of contractions, they stopped for a few hours, started again, and I went in to L&D to be checked. I was really crappy at timing them, but according to the hospital monitors the contractions were every 10 minutes. I was still at a 2 and still 50%. All last night I had contractions and for most of today. They did stop for a couple hours this morning, just like yesterday. They're still around 9 minutes apart. I'm so tired.

The nurse I saw at L&D told me that SHE would have gladly had a c-section with both her vaginal births and essentially told me I was insane. Uh, thanks.... So, I'm really hoping these contractions turn into something. Baby was doing great through them yesterday and she's still moving around a bunch, but I want her OUT!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Originally Posted by Aries1985

The nurse I saw at L&D told me that SHE would have gladly had a c-section with both her vaginal births and essentially told me I was insane. Uh, thanks.... So, I'm really hoping these contractions turn into something. Baby was doing great through them yesterday and she's still moving around a bunch, but I want her OUT!

Wow, any chance you remember the nurses name? I would definitely make sure that she was NOT the one that I get when I go in active labor.

Patience mamma. Baby will come when baby is finished cooking.