Self Checking ... Way TMI

[MyLittleWarrior]

So tomorrow is my EDD, and I'm part of the prodromal labor club. I've been contracting regularly off and on for at least three weeks, probably closer to four. Last week at my OB appt, I was ~70% effaced and 3 cm. I know these numbers mean nothing, and I could go any minute or still be preggo two weeks from now. Well, after a particularly eventful and painful bout of prodromal labor last night, I was curious if anything had changed. (I'm very impatient that way so I did a self check. By my untrained feel, I think I'm probably closer to 3 1/2 cm, and I can total feel my bag of waters coming through my cervix! I've got to be close, right? I don't think I can take two more weeks of this start and stop stuff. I want to meet my baby!

Ok, whine over. Thanks for listening.

[Aeress]

That is good news, great progress! I wish I could check myself but it just doesn't work. I keep hoping that all this prodominal labor has been helpful as my mental state is beginning to suffer...is this is, is this it? is driving me insane.

[Frisbee]

You know, it's probably some kind of milestone that after nearly 9 months on MDC, nothing makes me run to read a thread than the words "TMI" in the title.

Your situation sounds so frustrating! Hang in there.

[Thandiwe]

Originally Posted by MyLittleWarrior

By my untrained feel, I think I'm probably closer to 3 1/2 cm, and I can total feel my bag of waters coming through my cervix! I've got to be close, right? I don't think I can take two more weeks of this start and stop stuff. I want to meet my baby!

Okay, I don't want to be the party-pooper. Everyone is different, and every pregnancy even for the same woman is different.

That being said, I was checked last week internally because there was such a discrepancy in baby's size, and I was constantly contracting so they couldn't get a good feel of his position. I was 4 cm with a bulging bag, just like you, and his head was completely right there, way low. That was a week ago. Since then, I've had massive episodes of labor that have expelled incredible amounts of mucous plug and I have been spotting many times a day since last Friday. Still, I'm pregnant, watching my due date (the most conservative one, too) come to a close. I wish I could say you're going to go any minute or that your bag will break....but I was told that a week ago and still here I sit.

We're working on peace and good spirits at this point; there's nothing else to do.

[MyLittleWarrior]

Originally Posted by bens_mommy_2005

Okay, I don't want to be the party-

We're working on peace and good spirits at this point; there's nothing else to do.

I'm trying so hard for this. I know these numbers are completely arbitrary (as is my due date). I know I shouldn't be checking just for this reason, I just couldn't help myself. I have an OB appt in the morning, and I think I may let her strip my membranes, I don't know. This is my conservative due date (based on LMP the doctors wanted to go with Oct. 10). DS was induced at 41 weeks, and I do not want to go that rout again, but it was so nice to have that date on the calander...

[thorn]

just wanted to say good job checking yourself - I tried that and I had *no* idea what I was feeling in there!

[candyapplez]

Originally Posted by thorn

just wanted to say good job checking yourself - I tried that and I had *no* idea what I was feeling in there!

I wouldn't know where to begin.

[Usually Curious]

My cervix is way high and posterior and I can't even reach it!

Kudos for having any idea what your dilation is!

[mama_daba]

i wish i could check mine.i keep trying but i can't reach well enough.

it's awesome that you can and are!

[Thandiwe]

Originally Posted by MyLittleWarrior

I'm trying so hard for this. DS was induced at 41 weeks, and I do not want to go that rout again, but it was so nice to have that date on the calander...

I completely know how you feel! I, for one, cannot feel my cervix, so I was completely blue, thinking I hadn't made any progress. I wasn't going to ask for an internal since I know it's not really a good predictor. But boy did I want to know! When the one midwife suggested we check, I practically fell over myself saying yes. And you know, I needed it. With all this prodromal labor, I needed that mental validation that something was indeed happening. It made things a little easier.

It's really hard not knowing how long this will go on for. The mad woman in me keeps thinking, "Dangit, if I went the OB route, they could break my water, and I'd have him" (worked like a charm with my last baby when I was 5-5.5 cms). But before I got into this prodromal cycle, I swore I wanted things as natural as possible. It's just really testing my faith and my resolve.....

Good luck with whatever you choose to do. The best thing for you is the solution that works best for you given your own facts. Sorry that sounds like jibberish, but the ultimate goal is a healthy, happy mommy and baby. Get there however you personally need to get there.

As for me, I'm considering calling my knitting friend and getting her crochet hook.....