Todays Doctor Appointment

[AmamaAgain]

Okay first of all...the wait for the updates on MDC to take place today was torture, and I'm not a huge fan of the way that it looks now.

But anywho...

I'm quite disappointed from my appointment today. Yeah- weight and all that were good but I had the doctor check my cervix.

Even though I've had so many cramps, contractions, lots and LOTS of pressure on what I thought was my cervix, my doctor checked me with no progress.

He said my cervix is still long and closed. This scares me because this is my 2nd pregnancy and due to not dilating I had a c-section. I really want a VBAC and don't want to go overdue for fear of a need for induction.

I've been using evening primrose oil vaginally for two weeks. I was SO sure I had to have been dilating. I have been walking 2 miles per day, squatting, and everything else. Sex is not an option even though my doctor suggested it.

What can I do?? I really want my cervix to begin changing so I can go forward with a normal delivery without any other interventions.

[Bee21]

s Mama, I'm sorry you're so stressed. I really have no advice on how to get things moving. I do know, however, that a closed cervix can change in no time.

[crosscat]

:
I hope your cervix starts making progress soon. I don't have any advice though.

[TaraRae82]

I don't know what advice to give you mama. But, maybe your cervix is just waiting for the real thing to start and then you'll take off like a bullet! Dilating and being effaced doesn't have to happen prior to labor to have a successful vaginal birth. I hope you can find something to help you relax....you certainly don't need any added stress. Take a warm bath with some lavender scents, have some hot RRL tea, read a book. You're doing everything right and I really think you'll get your VBAC!

[NDFanatik]

Originally Posted by Bee21

I do know, however, that a closed cervix can change in no time.

Yeah that... With my son I was high, closed, and showing absolutely NO signs of going into labor anytime soon. I was checked on a Tues with STILL nothing happening then on Thurs my water broke. I had a c-section (grr), but you'll be glad to hear I went from 0 to 3 cm in about 1-1.5 hours No telling what would have happened if my OB hadn't scared me into an immediate c-section.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR VBAC!! I know exactly how much it means to you

[Baby_Cakes]

It is so frustrating to feel all the contrax and have your body do all that work for seemingly nothing. But it's doing *something*. Microchanges. Thinks that the OB can't see or feel. The contrax are also helping the baby get into just the right position for your vaginal birth.

Stay positive, keep taking your EPO. It cannot hurt. Things can go from 0-60 in no time!

[PassionateWriter]

i dialated very very slowly w/ my vbac. i wasnt at all when i got to the birth center. this time im not sure b/c we arent doing any checks.

just dont get any more checks. and they cant force you to have an induction so just steer clear of those.

[janasmama]

I think with subsequent babies the cervix usually doesn't dilate and efface like it might with the first...It's already softer and needs to hold the baby in so it has to stay thick and closed until just about the end.

[leurMaman]

Hey, you're still not in October! Be patient Baby will come soon enough. I went in today and had a cervical check. I was told that I'm open 1cm on the "outside" but not open very much on the inside of the cervix - whatever that means!? She said she would strip membranes next week if it was slightly more open.

My midwife told me that last week she had a first time mom primagravada that was almost two weeks overdue. When the mw checked her the cervix was up high, tight, and not effaced or dialated one bit! The mw said she thought "this woman is far from labor and might be forced to be induced". That night she said the mom went into labor and was dialated from 1cm to 10cm in 3 hours - for a first-time labor too!

On the other hand, I walked around 3-4cm dialted for an entire week before going into labor with DD. Just wanted to remind you that you never know. You could have baby tonight even! Hang in there, I am there with you!!

[Tygrrkttn]

Hello AMama,

Have you considred/discussed with your doc the merits of EPO, evening primrose oil? I'm not sure when in Oct your due but you should be OK at this point with oral and/or vaginal placement of the oil capsules.

The studies do say that placing the oil directly on the cervix either via smearing it onto your fingers and massaging the cervix or just placing the capsules as high up inside as you or dp can reach and leaving them there to dissolve is really most effective.

I know there's considerable debate here as regards anything; your fingers, DP fingers, capsules etc.. insiude you for fear of infection. But, IMHO and research, if your still DTD as many of us are (also effective!) and DP is not surgi-sterilized before playtime, just soap and water clean, then surely your nice, clean, fresh washed Fingers aren't going to cause a problem, nor is a capsule straight out of the bottle.

But, do your own research and talk to theladies here and your OB and make up your own mind. Good luck and happy baby vibes!

TK

[Tygrrkttn]

Ooops, forgot LeurMaman! Don't feel bad, I'm on babe 4 and had never heard of what your describing till this time around! My midwife calls it "funneling" and you can do a search under that term to find out more. Essentially it's exactly what it sounds like. The cervix can take on a funnel shape instead of it's usual tube shape as it dilates.
I went in a handful of weeks agao to be told I was dilated to a 6 and went............."WHAT?!?", lol. OK, turns out the Outside of my cervix was at a 5/6, the inside was a 1 or so. Now, at 38 weeks plus my outside is still a 6 or so and the inside is a 3.
Our bodies are amazing and complex wonderful things, aren't they!
TK

PS
And yes, cervical changes aren't always the best indicator of imminent labor. You can have no cervical changes at all and be in great labor that night or walk around for weeks at some insane dilation and go two weeks over! Hang in there!

[audsma]

Someone on here a while back also mentioned that eggplant, watermelon and fresh pineapple were also cervical openers. For me, that's great news b/c I love all three of those foods.

Also, my MW is counting me as a primagravida instead of a multi even though this is my second child, since I never dilated past 3 before having a c-section last time. So, for those of us VBACing, it may be that our bodies are behaving more like those of first timers instead of having a second child. Just a thought, and good luck to you!

[lovemysunshine]

Is self-stimulation possible for you then? The orgasm can help if you're getting close to being ready. Nipple stimulation can help as well if your body is getting close. I'm sure you'll do fine, think positive mama!

[Kim919]

my mom had a checkup the day i was born (2 wks overdue) at noon and her cervix was long firm and tight and not even slightly dialated. I was born at 11:45 that night.

[AmamaAgain]

I think I'm relating what most of your comments. I've been doing the evening primrose for a few weeks. I added one extra pill a day now. I'm taking it both orally and vaginally. DTD isn't really an option at this time, I started nipple stimulation last night (though I must admit that's nothing new since I'm sorta fascinated with them "working" and all), but I have been making myself have nightly orgasms in hopes that it might help.