appointment today and depressed!

[EmilyS]

I just went in for my 39 week appointment and the midwife insisted on doing and internal check for dilation and effacement (which I wasn't too happy about but this is my first and figured I would just go along with it). I have been having pretty sharp pains in my cervix area and very definitely felt the baby drop down about two weeks ago. After she checked me she said that I am not effaced or dilated AT ALL and the baby hasn't dropped yet. I am so depressed. I know that this doesn't mean a whole lot but I just can't seem to get over the fact that I'm no where near delivery. She also said she thought the baby wasn't going to be born this weekend (she is due on Saturday). I need some encouragement! Have any of you had feedback like this from your midwife and had the baby sooner then they said?

[juliebelle]

that doesn't mean you're necessarily 'nowhere near delivery'

is this your first child?

[TCMoulton]

I'm not currently pregnant but I can tell you that when I went to my 39 week appointment I was closed tight, no action at all - 24 hours later I arrived at the hospital dialated to 9 after 1 1/2 hours of contractions! You just never know when it comes to babies!

Good luck!

[ecomommy]

Hi Emily,

I agree...you could have the baby at any time. With my first I was not dilated and barely effaced at my 39 week appointment on a Thursday. I went into labor on Saturday. Of course my second was a whole different story! And with this one I wasn't dilated as of Friday but of course had been breech until Thursday. I have to remind myself of this as well but baby will arrive and fairly soon! If you are 39 weeks, baby will be here in 1-3 weeks. It's really not that long but I know how hard it is to wait. I'm having a terrible time being patient!!

By the way, I see your sig says you're in RSM, CA. I'm in Ladera Ranch. Who's your midwife?

Best wishes and you'll be holding your baby before long!

Ann

[clynnr]

Yup. I was less than a fingertip at my 39 week appt with my first. Delivered six days later, after arriving at the hospital at 8cm.

On the other hand, my friend was checked by her OB at 37 weeks, and was at 3-4 cms. Doc told her she would deliver within a week. She went to 40 weeks 5 days. Boy was she ticked at that guy--not that she went late, but that he shouldn't have said anything.

It really doesn't matter.

[juliebelle]

yea..better for them to say you're not close and you to be happy when it happens then to say any day now and be pregnant for 2 more weeks!

[newbie_mary]

Just another story to add to the pot -- I went in on a tuesday, was told there was no progress, closed up tight, etc. Next day went into labor, had a baby by Thursday night!

Mary

[savannah smiles]

My across the street neighbor went into the hospital this morning to have her first baby. Yesterday she came over to me in tears because she was barely 1cm and hardly effaced. So, things can happen!

[ZenMamaJen]

My SIL was due on a Friday, they told her the baby wouldn't come until the following week...well, she went into labor on Saturday and had my nephew on Sunday!

They really have no idea.

[KKmama]

Actually, I'd say 39 wks means you will most likely have the baby at *any* time in the next 3 weeks (not 1-3 wks from now).

The baby may have moved downward without being fully engaged. I'd trust your feelings here--if you think the baby has moving downward, s/he probably has, and any mvmt in that direction is good and necessary (sooner or later).

Also... some of us just don't start labor dilated or effaced.

And last but not least... if you do go past 40 weeks--IMO, babies born "late" (ie, after their EDDs) are more mature and easier to take care of. Not a bad thing...

[ecomommy]

KKMama-I am cracking myself up . Of course the baby could come at any time! You don't have to wait 1-3 weeks!

What I meant and I didn't phrase it very well is that the longest time to wait would be like 3 weeks and really it's not too long in the over all scheme of things but I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants baby to come NOW! It's so hard to wait.

Ann

[EmilyS]

Thanks all for your thoughts. I feel much better. I've decided to just enjoy this time before she comes and do things I probably won't be able to do for a while like sewing and reading. Afterall, I won't be pregnant forever...