Really discouraged and upset. 39 weeks, and no signs of labor at all

[Anonymous]

So, I just came back from the OB, and was told that it looks as though there's no sign that the baby wants to come out any time soon. I've been 50% effaced for the past 4 weeks, with no progression, despite constant Braxton Hicks contractions and lots of painful pressure. I'll be 39 weeks on Wednesday and feel so miserable right now. OB says that I am measuring 3 weeks ahead and that we'll do a sono in the next week to make sure the baby isn't too large. She said that it doesn't look like the baby has any intention of coming out, and that most likely I'll have to wait until after 41 weeks to be induced (they don't allow women to go to 42 weeks).

That said, I've been gaining 3-5 pounds each week for the past 3 weeks, my feet as so huge I can't fit them into Ugg boots anymore, I have had a killer cold which means that I haven't gotten any sleep for the past week, and am just feeling awful and miserable. I left the OB's office almost in tears, and feel so hormonal right now, because I can't stand being pregnant anymore. I was wondering if there was anyone out there who shares my pain, or can tell me that labor happened to them out of the blue.

[Anonymous]

I had no symptoms at all, and no dilation or effacement, at 40 weeks when I was checked by my midwife, and she said that she didn't think I'd be giving birth anytime soon. Two days later I lost part of my mucus plug and the next morning I went into labor. The following day I delivered my son.

[Anonymous]

I'm probably not going to make you feel much better, but I was so swollen I couldn't wear any of my regular shoes for the last 2+ months of my pregnancy. Never effaced, never dialated. Baby never dropped. DC measured 2 weeks big for the entire pregnancy. Ended up going in for a c-section to deliver my big-head baby just shy of 42 weeks.

[Anonymous]

Well 50% effacement means that your body IS getting ready for labor Maybe a little slowly, but I'd take that as an encouraging sign. I know your disappointment very well - at my 40w1d appointment, I had made no progress at all - 0% effacement, no dilation (not even a fingertip), the cervix was posterior, baby's head was high and "floating". I didn't even have BH contractions. My water broke the next day, I guess about 36 or so hours after that exam. You don't mention the baby's position, but if the head isn't down/engaged that could be slowing things down a bit. There are some exercises you can do to encourage optimal fetal positioning. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Dont be too discourage. At 39 weeks I was the same as you and was convince that the baby would be late. The day before my due date I was sitting in a park reading a book and "pop", water broke. I delivered about 18 hours later. I lot can happen in the next two weeks. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

You don't want to go into labor with a cold if you can help it, so thank your lucky stars your baby is taking a little more time.

Normal, full-term pregnancy is up to 42 weeks. Maybe your dates were off, maybe your particular baby requires a little more cooking time, or maybe longer gestations run in your family. Whatever the reason, it's completely normal to not be in labor at 39 weeks. Meanwhile, your baby's size has nothing to do with whether you can birth or not -- and I guarantee that although you might be adding some uncomfortable water weight here at the end, your baby is not gaining 3-5 lbs./wk itself. Thank your OB for her (ill-founded) complete lack of confidence in your body and move on.

Spend lots of time on your hands and knees, doing pelvic rocks to get the baby in the right position and lined up for a smooth exit. (It takes more than simply being head down.) Take some evening primrose oil to soften and prime your cervix. Do a little yoga or swimming to loosen up your pelvis and relax. See a chiropractor to make sure your body is in alignment -- it honestly can make a big difference.

Your body is not a lemon. It can do this. It's just not doing it on your OB's preferred timetable, which may be a problem for your doc's scheduler but shouldn't be an issue for you.

[Anonymous]

I really agree with the PP.

You might want to see an acupuncturist. They are able to help calm you, destress you, and prepare your body for labor. Sometimes they are even able to help trigger labor. Would be worth your time and money to see one once or twice a week until labor starts.

[Anonymous]

I posted something similar earlier today (38w here) and I feel so disappointed as well. I am in a foul mood actually. I broke 5 EPO capsules and inserted the oil down there... I am also shoving myself with pineapple right now - hubby couldn't find the raspberry leaf tea at Giant though.

I wish I could say I know how you are feeling but I guess you are feeling even worse than I am? I had lost 1pound last week at my 37w appt., and was so happy... only to gain 3 this week! WTF! I did NOTHING different. But overall I can't really complain about pregnancy bad symptoms - I am just worried (REALLY) that I will have to resort to an induction and if my body is not ready will end up with a C-section.

[Anonymous]

Check food co-ops (the ones in Takoma Park and Silver Spring have it) or Whole Foods for red raspberry leaf tea, PP.

Hang in there. I'm almost 41 weeks. The less crazy you make yourselves now, the less crazy you'll feel when, god forbid, you're in my shoes. LOL.

At least this is my second, so I remember the sleeplessness of having a newborn, so I know it's a tradeoff! I swear!

[Anonymous]

At 38 weeks, I saw my doctor on a Tuesday and delivered the following Friday. I had zero signs. Try (really hard) not to get caught up in the delivery symptoms. In some cases, they're meaningless.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone for your advice and support! It has helped make me feel so much better. It looks like I have a lot cut out for me, which I think will help at least pass the time over the next 2 weeks. I've already researched acupuncturists (if anyone has any recs, please let me know), chiropractors, and am prepared to go out and buy some evening primrose oil, go to the mall and walk every day, and try to see if I can find a pool that's nearby. I do have one question to one of the previous posters-- what are pelvic tilts? OB never recommended them. I know you said to get down on your hands and knees, but do you sway from side to side or back and forth? I'm confused!!

[Anonymous]

OP, do you do yoga? Pelvic tilts are flowing between the "cat" and "cow" poses. Basically, get on all fours. Now, arch your back and then round it up as much as you can (if you're moving your head, think of looking up to the ceiling, and then rounding down to look down as far as you can at your belly).

Do multiple sets of these a day. I do them as soon as I get out of bed, occasionally at work, when I get home after work and am changing clothes, and again before bed. They are a good back strengthener but are also supposed to help position the baby appropriately for delivery.

good luck!

[Anonymous]

Don't worry! I was the same way. I was 50%, 2cm, and my cervix was "very high" for 3 weeks. Three days before my due date I started to feel painful contractions, but was still at the same point when I went into the doctor that morning for a check-up, but the doctor stripped my membranes in the hope that it would move things along. That night I went into labor and the next morning I had my baby. I did not need any drugs to speed things along, my body just did it's job.

Some people's bodies get "ready" for days and for some of us (like me and maybe you) the baby decides it is time and things go from 0 to 60MPH very quickly.

[Anonymous]

OP here again. Just got back from OB again. US shows baby being 9lbs 2 ounces, but doc isn't too concerned. I've been walking for a few hours a day, doing squats, lunges and pelvic exercises to try to get him to come out, and have been stuffing myself with red raspberry leaf tea, pineapple, eggplant parm w/ lots of oregeno, and anything I hear might get him to come out, and plan to visit the acupuncturist if I go past my due date. I'll keep you posted!

[Anonymous]

Hang in there, OP! And those ultrasound size estimates are notoriously off so don't think about that too much.