Apparently, I have a very firm uterus! What does this mean exactly?

[Dot-to-Dot]

I am pregnant and today at my doctor's appt, as we talked about my birth plan preferences, my doctor was looking through his notes from my first birth last year and read that I'd had a very, very firm uterus!  I felt kind of proud...but I have to admit, I don't really know the significance of that.  What does it mean?  I had a long labor - but it was odd, I had a hip thing going on that I call "hip labor" where I think the baby was stuck and that might be why it took so long.  I drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea to tone the uterus, but because my labor was so long, I had assumed that the tea didn't do me any good.  I'd experienced a moderate amount of braxton hicks contractions but felt like they hadn't done much for me since I still hadn't dilated at all at 40 weeks.  (Baby was born at exactly 41 wks). 

Just wondering if anyone knows the significance of having a firm uterus?  What's the benefit?  Would you feel encouraged about this news going into this next labor?

**Cross Posted in Birth and Beyond, but no responses**

[crazykittymomma]

I have no idea...I mean, mine felt very firm all last pregnancy...but I'm not really sure what that would mean.

I'm guessing your "hip labor" came from positioning of the baby. Check out spinningbabies.com for more info on getting the baby in the best positions for labor.

[Kedrosami]

Yes I would feel very encouraged! The uterus is all muscle after all, so if it's firm I would think that means it's strong and well-toned. A poorly positioned baby can cause a long labor no matter how strong your uterus is. It sounds like your uterus is in good shape and up for the job! I'd also choose to focus on posture, yoga, etc. to help baby get into a good position.

[Dot-to-Dot]

I was very vigilant about posture last time, spent lots of time on the birthing ball in the third tri and tried my hardest to figure things out using spinningbabies (but just couldn't tell an elbow from a knee or a head from a butt) I also practiced yoga and went to a chiropractor every week until birth.  All I knew was that she was head down which my doc could tell very easily from my exam - the rest was up to fate.  She was born "correctly" and didn't indicate bad positioning at that time.  But, I just had no way of knowing if or how she was rotating during the late stages of pregnancy/labor.  But, the hip thing has no explanation other than bad positioning, so I do assume it was that.  Seems like my efforts for optimal positioning were futile.  I'd be willing to do anything to ensure this baby is in the right position.  Anything!  But, just like last time, I can't tell where she is just based on the kicks.  I even drew the quadrant on my body and felt the same type of kicks in each quadrant!  That didn't seem possible. *shrug*

Maybe that labor would have been EVEN LONGER had I not had the well toned uterus, though?

[boysmom2]

Was your doctor's comment from during your last pregnancy, or after the birth? Maybe s/he was referring to your uterine tone after birth, in which case firm would be good, as in it was contracting back down in size well. Maybe?

[Dot-to-Dot]

He said he was referring to his birth notes (he mentioned it as we were discussing details such as what position I pushed in, how the baby came out, my tear, etc.)  It easily could have been something he noticed immediately post-partum, I guess.  He did want to gently warn me that the afterpains tend to be stronger with the second child and I told him I'd read about that, but I didn't know what it felt like because I'd had absolutely ZERO afterpains with number 1 and I figured I can handle a little 'worse' than absolutely nothing.  Now I'm wondering if my firm uterus helped me to avoid afterpains?  And if that's the case, I'll be pouring myself another cup of my precious pregnancy tea right now!