[readytobedone]

my curiosity was overwhelming, i guess. i decided i'd rather know now than wait till my due date to hear the words "no progress." at least that way i wouldn't have convinced myself something was "happening" just to hear nothing was...<br><br>
so, my cervix is still posterior and closed, and the baby is still not in my pelvis at all, so the doctor can't feel her head from inside (though she is still head-down). so i'm doing all these chiropractic visits (3 more this week!), which apparently haven't done much (or much that's measurable anyhow).<br><br>
the good news is that the doctor said he's "not concerned," didn't use this as an excuse to do an u/s or anything. he said it's just a waiting game. so getting the internal didn't backfire. but i know he'll start putting the pressure on me to "get things going" at around 41 weeks (just because that's when he does it with everyone), and if i have no progress, an induction would not be at all likely to work...and he probably wouldn't even want to try one in that case. so if i didn't have the will to fight the whole thing and just wait it out as long as it took, i'd end up with a c/s.<br><br>
even though i know this is true, and even though the doctor confirmed it too, please tell me that i can go into labor, on my own, with no progress at all. i just feel like my body doesn't know what it's doing. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/gloomy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Gloomy">:<br><br>
are there women who just stay high, closed, everything else until labor hits and still have their babies just fine? i need to hear from you!<br><br>
the other thing that's discouraging is i've been having some serious contractions and cramping the last few days...it gets worse every day, but nothing regular. and i just feel now like i am suffering for no reason because nothing is "happening." and i've put on 7 pounds of water weight in the past 2 weeks...yikes!<br><br>
if you've read this far, thanks. and please don't flame me for succumbing to the internal. he didn't pressure me; it was my decision, and while i don't feel very good now, i don't regret having it.

 

[Cheshire]

It can all change in an instant! Your body does know what it is doing.<br><br>
Those cramps and contractions you are experiencing are doing their job. Even if the doc says he can't feel any progress he doesn't know your body.<br><br>
Hang in there. Just a little while longer. Remember, you won't be pregnant is a few weeks so cherish the time you have left carrying your baby in your womb.

 

[Peony]

You are only 39 weeks, you still have so much time. Your body knows what it is doing and obviously the baby isn't ready to come out yet. Hang in there, they all do emerge eventually. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">

 

[cappuccinosmom]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">are there women who just stay high, closed, everything else until labor hits and still have their babies just fine? i need to hear from you!</td>
</tr></table></div>
Well, last week was my 40 wk check and baby was still floating. My cervix has been at a 2-3 since the "transverse baby" scare a week before that.<br><br>
You still have several more weeks to go possibly, and these things can change quickly. Don't be discouraged!

 

[SublimeBirthGirl]

None of it means squat. You give your baby and body time, and they'll work.

 

[sweeetpea]

Dilation/effacement/station doesn't mean doodly-squat! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
A friend of mine was 39 weeks and being pressured into scheduling a c-section because the "baby hadn't dropped". <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: Luckily, she resisted. She went into labor on her own and birthed a BIG baby 3 hours later.<br><br>
A client of mine (last week) - 8am, no dilation, 50% effaced, baby high. Steady labor throughout the day, and baby born vaginally (against OB's expectations) 20 hours later.<br><br>
You and baby will work together to have a good birth. With patience and determination (not to mention resistance to negative input from other people), it WILL happen!<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/hug2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Hug2"> Hugs,<br><br>
Sweetpea

 

[cottonwood]

Why do you think you should already be dilating? You know, don't you, that the natural average length of gestation for first-time moms is 41 weeks?<br><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">are there women who just stay high, closed, everything else until labor hits and still have their babies just fine? i need to hear from you!</td>
</tr></table></div>
With my first I didn't start dilating until 50 hours into labor (and six hours before the birth,) at 41 weeks. My body was nonetheless perfectly capable of birthing that baby vaginally, and three others after that! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>fourlittlebirds</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939576"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Why do you think you should already be dilating? You know, don't you, that the natural average length of gestation for first-time moms is 41 weeks?</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
i don't worry about the dilation or lack thereof, i worry about the baby being so high. all i was hoping for was to be told the baby was in my pelvis.<br><br><b>everything</b> i read just assumes that babies drop early in first-time moms and when they don't there's some reason (like your pelvis is too small). that might all be BS, which is what i am hoping. so thanks to those of you who posted stories to that effect!<br><br>
also, when you have an OB, as you probably know, you're dealing with a "deadline" at the end of pg. at some point i will have to fight like hell to keep this baby inside me rather than being induced. i don't want to be induced but would prefer it to a c/s. and since the doctor will not induce a high baby, it's going to be a c/s for me if this baby doesn't drop.<br><br>
yes, i know i can refuse any medical treatment, but i'm just worried i'm going to get tired of fighting, since i already feel like my body doesn't work...<br><br>
yes, i know, pity party for me. i should really get over it, but i'm just frustrated. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/irked.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="irked">:

 

[Rockies5]

Fifth baby, and my cervix was so tight, high and posterior <b>I COULDN'T FIND IT</b>, but had a baby 4 hours later.<br><br>
I don't think it matters.<br><br>
With my fourth I walked around at about a 5-6 for a week.<br><br>
I agree it can change in an instant, don't be a cervix watcher..it meas so little for most of us!

 

[BelgianSheepDog]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>SublimeBirthGirl</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7939059"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">None of it means squat. You give your baby and body time, and they'll work.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
However, on the other hand, if you want to squat for a while, it might help bring the baby down. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngtongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Stick Out Tongue">

 

[georgia]

Why are you feeling like your body doesn't work? I think I'm a bit confused <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"> I'd love to offer you some support---just kinda want to know what your real concerns are. It sounds like you have a lot of doubt about your ability to birth a baby....maybe affirming all the things your body has done to grow your baby and all the wonderful things your body <i>can</i> do?

 

[doctorjen]

If it makes you feel any better, I have plenty of clients with the opposite feeling - they decide they want me to check them, and lo and behold they are 3 cms or something, but don't labor for weeks. They wonder what is wrong with their body that they are so dilated, but don't go into labor!<br><br>
Two of my April births were with floating babies. The first was a 16 yr old first time mom, who is only 5 ft tall, who came in with her water broken, but her cervix was closed and long, and the baby was not even palpable in the pelvis. I could tell by Leopold's that it was head down, but floating and not in the pelvis at all. She nevertheless kicked into labor on her own. Eight hours later, she was 8 cms dilated, and still -3 station. Shortly after that, she had a strong urge to push, and shortly after that she pushed her little boy out in a squatting position.<br><br>
The other floating babe was a VBAC mama. Her baby was also so high I couldn't even reach him, despite her being 5 cms dilated with a bulging bag. She labored for hours standing and leaning over the bed or her husband, suddenly yelled out "Something's different" and crawled on the bed on her knees, and pushed our her baby in less than 30 minutes.<br><br>
So while it may be usual for first babes to descend prior to labor, it isn't necessary, and doesn't mean anything about when you will labor. Knowing how dilated and how effaced you are means nothing - unless you are going to be induced, in which case it helps predict the success of induction. Please just try hard to enjoy these last few days of being pregnant. Talk to your baby, makes plans to be alone with your partner for what may be the last time for a very long time, make a little plan for every day so you have things to look forward to (a pedicure, that movie you wanted to see, check out a good book, plant some flowers, go to lunch with a friend, go to that restaurant you've been meaning to check out.) If going to the chiropracter, or squatting, or walking, or whatever make you feel good, then do it, but let go of trying to do things to get labor going - it tends to just make you crazy and make you feel like you are working so hard and things just aren't working. Your body knows what it is doing.

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>georgia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7941035"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Why are you feeling like your body doesn't work? I think I'm a bit confused <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/shy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="innocent"> I'd love to offer you some support---just kinda want to know what your real concerns are. It sounds like you have a lot of doubt about your ability to birth a baby....maybe affirming all the things your body has done to grow your baby and all the wonderful things your body <i>can</i> do?</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
you know, that's a great idea. i should try to be more positive. my body has done a lot right so far, huh?<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> i have this healthy, very active baby inside me to show for it.<br><br>
to answer your question, i think i have so many doubts because i've had a lot of health problems (things i was born with), and i've seen waaaay too many doctors in my life, and doctors in general make me want to run screaming from the room <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> one of my health issues is that i had a very extensive bladder surgery that's pretty rare when i was a little girl, and i've had doctors in the past flat-out tell me they didn't know what would happen for me with pregnancy and childbirth (continence-wise and otherwise). there are just not enough of "us" with the surgery/condition to know what to expect. i had one urologist tell me not to even bother trying to birth, to just have a c/s "if you ever get pregnant"...i was 21 at the time and cried and cried when i got home because i had always wanted to have a baby vaginally, and i felt like this man was trying to take that away from me.<br><br>
i was thrilled when i got pg so fast because i always wondered if i would be able to. maybe that's irrational, but i just felt like this "medical mystery..." and i got pg on the first cycle we tried, and the pg has been really very "normal."<br><br>
if i had my druthers, i would not have a doctor for pregnancy. in the future, i definitely will not, and i will do it differently. but this time i was turned away by one midwife early on, in part because of my medical history, and i didn't want to keep getting "rejected...." (it was too hard on me and made me feel even more "broken".) so i got the most natural CB-friendly OB in my town. overall i like him, but he is still a doctor.<br><br>
you're very insightful to see that i need to have more confidence in my body to do this. it's something i already know about myself, but i don't know what to do except acknowledge it and sit with it. i thought birthing a baby would be a great step for me, too, in reclaiming my body--so i've invested a lot emotionally in making this work. it's a symbol for me, i think, of taking my body back, or something. but the reverse side of that is feeling defeated if it doesn't "work." so i think i'm putting too much pressure on myself...<br><br>
anyhow, it's all too easy for me to slip back into thinking i'm defective, and the baby not dropping or [insert whatever potential anomaly here] just fuels the fire of my self-doubt. i think i need to stop feeling like this, but somehow telling myself that over and over doesn't make it stop <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: maybe i need to find a way to accept that i feel inadequate without accepting that i am inadequate?<br><br>
anyway, thanks for asking the question you asked. it brings me back to realizing that my own attitude plays a huge role in how this experience will go. sorry this is so long! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[ApprenticeMomma]

With my first baby, his head was floating around right up until the day of labour. So none of those signs are accurate indicators of labour, your body has its own unique timetable, and pace of progress. You are one in a very very long line of birthing women, your body has evolved to give birth over millions of years, allow some trust in there!! All the best, wishing you a wonderful birth when your baby decides to make an appearance.

 

[georgia]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"><br><br>
Do you want a cheerleading thread? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[AbbieB]

Oh Momma! I just need to give you a big hug <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/hug2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Hug2"><br><br>
I've been following your posts here and just ran across your post in the birth professional forum.<br><br>
You <span style="text-decoration:underline;">WILL</span> give birth to this baby. Your body works just fine. Not all babies follow the "typical" path. Some will be textbook and some won't be, but they all come out (and many more would come out on their own if given the chance by overly intervention happy doctors.)<br><br>
I've shared this before but I think you might need to hear it again: my baby was floating right up to her birthday...3 weeks "overdue". She was born at home, healthy!<br><br>
Something you may not have thought about, some babies do not get down in the pelvis because they have a hand in the way (next to the head, under the chin, whatever). This is what we think was going on with DD. But in labor she moved it out of the way and came on out.<br><br>
Maybe the spinning babies website will have some ideas for you to help get baby into a good position (and some ideas for what not to do-info I really could have used last time).<br><br>
Also, walking is wonderful! It helps the baby settle into position with all the rocking and other movements. And it's good for you too.<br><br>
I hope I have not worried you more. I just offered some info since you seem very concerned about your babies positioning. I remember VERY well how easy it is to worry about something like that at the end of a pregnancy. It takes over your mind and it's so hard to not think about it.<br><br>
Hang in their Momma. You will give birth so soon (you can count in days rather than weeks and months now!)

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>georgia</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7948955"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"><br><br>
Do you want a cheerleading thread? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"></div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
do they make those? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
in other words, i'd love some cheerleaders!

 

[majormajor]

you kind of remind me of me when i was pg with DD (she's my first and only so far). only, with me, i *knew* something wasn't right, and that DD was going to be born by section. i'm not trying to scare you or anything, but i wish i had been able to trust that feeling more and prepare for the section (which i did have, after 12 hours of labor, because DD's cord was around her neck).<br><br>
because i knew deep down (or DD was telling me, i think it was actually coming from her), i stressed about every sign that labor wasn't going to go right (DD never dropped, she was transverse till 36 weeks, so i had some good things to worry about!!). anyway, i know now that i can trust the feelings i get from my body, even if they're not the ones i want to hear.<br><br>
hopefully, this totally doesn't apply to you. i almost didn't write because it's not all that encouraging.... but, i had the chance to better prepare myself for the birth i knew was coming and didn't, and i wouldn't want the same thing for anyone else. so again, i'm hoping this post is totally irrelevant to you!<br><br>
best of luck for a wonderful delivery!

 

[readytobedone]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>majormajor</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/7950210"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">i almost didn't write because it's not all that encouraging.... but, i had the chance to better prepare myself for the birth i knew was coming and didn't, and i wouldn't want the same thing for anyone else. so again, i'm hoping this post is totally irrelevant to you!<br><br>
best of luck for a wonderful delivery!</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
no, i appreciate where you're coming from and have actually thought about this--like, what if she really isn't going to come on her own, vaginally? it's a contingency i do have to acknowledge could happen. in that case i will be disappointed, but if it is actually warranted, i think i will be able to deal. i think my tendency is actually to be too accepting of that possibility, whereas yours was maybe the opposite?<br><br>
anyway, my "gut" feeling is this baby is fine and coming vaginally, or at least i think that's my gut feeling <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"><br><br>
i just say that because she's head-down and has been for weeks, everything so far has worked out toward a smooth delivery. i am even GBS-, which means i don't have to have an IV...i feel like why would all this stuff be lining up for me to get to have a natural birth if i'm not going to be able to have one because the baby won't drop?<br><br>
but i guess there's only one way to find out--which is to see what happens in the next couple weeks!

 

[momtokay]

i haven't had a chance to read everyone's responses, but my cervix was long and closed two days before i went into labor with my first. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug">