stressed after 38w visit

[samsmamma]

OK, i probably shouldn't be, but I am.

I got to the MW yesterday and DH and Sam weren't there yet, so she and I were just chatting and she was saying that she's really curious to see if I'm dilated but doesn't like to do internals but maybe we will next week, and we're talking about how baby feels lower etc etc. So we go in to the room and she's feeling around and I can see the look on her face change. She asks if I'm feeling low movements, which I do sometimes and attributed to being arms and hands and she says, I think baby may have gone breech. So I'm trying to be relaxed about all of this as she's feeling around for more stuff and she is looking really unhappy about it, so she says, look, let me go ahead and do the internal to see if she can feel the head.

So we do everything else - measuring 38, hb is down a bit into the 130s but good and baby is moving as she looks for it, and she does the internal and determines that yes, baby's head is down. But I'm not at all dilated, though my cervix is so soft she isn't surprised I coulnd't identify it. And baby isn't as low as we thought it was. And it's probably about 7.5 lbs at this stage

So I spend the rest of the night not being really sure if she's right or not.

The thought of baby turning had honestly never occurred to me and I was so hyper aware of every movement for the rest of the night (is that a leg? a hand? a hiccup?) that I got in a really bad mood and couldn't relax. Now, we trust our MW, of course, and I have no doubt that if she didn't feel sure about her assessment that she would have sent us for a u/s to confirm position, and I also know she does external versions, etc., but now there is this seed in my head of - crap, what if she's wrong. She said she felt really well and was quite sure she felt head and the transverse suture (i think that's what she called it) and was able to confirm that it wasn't a butt crack, but still, I feel stressed about it. And I'm not sure what to do to make myself feel better. I'll probably spend today googling about how mw's feel baby's position.

TOp that with the fact that I'm not dilated and baby isn't as low as we thought, and I feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever now, and I'm starting to feel nevous about things like big baby, going post term (and I know there are many of us on the board who are already past their due dates, and I'm still not, so what do I have to complain about) and meconium and things that just hadn't been on my mind at all. Basically, I'm bordering on close to being a basket case this morning and I need some help to put this all in perspective.

She says she's still banking on me going early, but that means within the next 2 weeks. I know that is possible, but I have to admit that after yesterday, I'm not feeling it. I think we were all so sure this baby would be early and fast that now it will be late and slow slow slow. Which would figure.

She is going to do a home visit next week because she'll be in my neighborhood, and in the off chance she does need to turn baby at all she prefers to do that at home, so we have the benefit of that too. I know in my heart that if she isn't nervous that I shouldn't be nervous. Is it really neurotic of me to call her to talk about it?

Thanks for listening and for any ideas you have to help me regain some sanity.

[BensMom]

Where did she hear the heart tones? That's another marker for breech. For vertex babies its down low near the pubic bone and with my baby, its up above the umbilicus on the left side - my MW says its very strong there.

There is also a different way that a head moves from a butt, so if you can grab the part at top and sort of cock it side to side, its usually a head.

But if you are worrying so much, why not schedule an u/s yourself? It only takes a few mins and if it offers you a level of peace of mind, it might be worth it. And if she is going to do a version, 38w and with the baby floating is about right. You don't want to be too far along.

As far as the other stuff, remember that 2nd time (and later) babies dont typically engage until well into labor. So that doesnt necessarily mean you are not going into labor any time soon. There is just a lot more room in there so they probably decide to stay out of the crowded pelvis longer. But I do hear ya on the other stuff - I've got nothing here. No signs of impending labor. But then there are mamas here who have had signs of impending labor for weeks and no babies. There is just no rhyme or reason is there!

Hugs! Hope you can find some peace.

[Feathere]

Oh, Samsmamma, everything will be okay. Really.
I can't tell you anything other than my own experience, and I hope it helps. My baby was breech for a while in weeks 31-34, and let me say, when the baby turned, I felt it tremendously. It is very unlikely that your baby would turn breech at this point and you not recognize a very distinct shift in movements, shape, etc, in addition to the great discomfort a 7 plus pound baby would create by turning so much. So breath easy. Maybe MW was just being overly cautious and at this point, it is frightening. Calling her to discuss your concerns is valid and I would do it.

Try to take your mind off the baby and focus on your little one. That might be distraction enough for you today--remember, you will not be pregnant forever, and you have limited Sam and Mama time left! I am trying to savor the last days with DD, and that helps the time pass.

Take care.

[crsta33]

I'm getting the worries myself. I'm certain he's head down, but I'm quite concerned about his position...I think he's ROP and I'm not positive that's "good." I have my 38 week appointment today...none of us really thought I'd make it, but it looks like I'm going to.

I'm trying to keep myself distracted and I've tried to make little plans for every day into the next couple of weeks. Midwife appointment today, maybe do belly pics tomorrow, the release of the Harry Potter movie, things like that. I wrote them down on my fridge calendar so I have things to look forward to.

Hang in there...I can definitely sympathize. Feels like this is just never going to happen and at the same time I feel worried about when it does. If I could just relax it'd probably be alot better.

Christa

[samsmamma]

Heartbeat was fairly low and near my right hip. After doing the internal, she thinks the back is on the right, too.

I probably will call her today just to talk through it a little more, because I am feeling too stressed by this and that is not good for me. I know that between her and my chiro we could turn the baby if we needed to, but I guess I'm just kind of looking for reassurance that we don't need to do that.

The reason she thought breech at first was that the part she thought was butt seemed to be moving independently, but she said sometimes heads and butts can fool you, and she said she was really sure about the transverse suture thing vs butt crack.

I'll let you know what happens if I call.

[samsmamma]

I called the MW - she wasn't in yet but I did talk to her assistant who did re-assure me that if there were any concerns at all that we woud have scheduled a u/s because I could conceivably go at any moment, and the MW will call me later to help me feel better. I just needed to hear it again, I guess. I'm very good at making myself into a crazy nutcase, evidently. But I'm starting to feel better...More to come.

[Godiva]

don't worry, your baby will come when it's ready. You've made it this far, what's another week or two? You're so close, don't stress about when the baby will come. Signs or no signs mean nothing at all. Take peace in the fact that you really can't decide when your baby will come out (well that is unless you go for induction or c section) so you just have to relax and go with your baby's rhythms.