34weeks and 4cm

[chantal21]

I had a checkup today....and I had a feeling things were changing again. I've been getting these sharp stabbing pains in my cervix, more discharge, and lots of pelvic/pubic pain. I get contractions, but nothing consistent thankfully. For the last 3 weeks I have been 3cm and now I am 4cm. =/ Just need to stay on bedrest another 2- 2 1/2 weeks and she will be free to come. Just hoping to make it that far. It's been hot here, so I've been staying in my room in the a/c and drinking LOTS of water.
My midwife is hopeful that I can hang on just 2 more weeks because with my last pregnancy I was 4cm at 32weeks and 5cm for 3-4 days before giving birth at 36w3d.
I am measuring 33weeks so that is good and she thinks baby is almost 4pounds now. Hoping she plumps up a bit more over the next couple of weeks. I am so close now!! Just want to hang on so I don't end up in the hospital!! But whatever is best for my little girl at this point.

[chantal21]

Yea my hubby keeps telling me I need to think about just using the OB (I'm just stubborn) but the nice thing is that the OB is willing to let me go at 36 weeks and then deliver with my midwife. It's just nice I have that backup in case it happens before 36weeks.
Lol I keep thinking she will just fall out!! If I have a labor like last time; 4 hours and 4pushes that would be awesome!!!

[NicMom]

I would for sure use an OB with the next pregnancy. I couldn't even use a midwife if I wanted to because of my history of preterm labor. I feel the same way you do about the cervix thing maybe it just opens easier each time?? IDK. Your midwife and ob might also not be as worried because your history is crazy, but in the end you made it past 36 weeks. In my case I was in the hospital so many times to stop hard labor prior to 33 weeks they had to do something a little more invasive.

Still can't belive your 4cm I keep thinking that baby is just going to fall out while your doing the dishes like in Monty Python, lol. I bet you have a short and easy labor isn't that a great pay off for bedrest??

[chantal21]

I was thinking about that Tabitha, but I have heard some positives and negatives with that.  
I seem to only start having problems around 24-27weeks (not sure they can do a cerclage at that point) and so far with last pregnancy and this one bedrest has worked. I don't know why, but the cerclage freaks me out more than getting injections weekly. Plus, I have heard even with the cerclage, you still have to be on bedrest. I wish I could just have a normal pregnancy and be up and about getting things together and taking care of my son. It's so draining! :(

[blueeyedtabbycat]

maybe with your next pregnancy you should see if they can do a cerclage or something?

[chantal21]

I wonder if my OB would try to stop labor or not at this point. I was 4cm at 32 weeks last pregnancy and contracting every 2 minutes. They were able to stop it and I somehow got to 36w. I think with my hospital, if you continue to dilate or change over the course of an hour, they keep you (especially once your 4cm because there isn't any turning back once you reach this point). Although, I was 5cm last pregnancy at 36w and still hung on for a couple of days. My body is strange. Sometimes I wonder if it's really preterm labor or this is how my body functions? With my first, my midwife didn't check me until I was 36 weeks (when I had the bloody show) and I think I was only 2cm? So I don't know. Maybe with each pregnancy, my cervix becomes weaker for some reason? This time around I'm not having nearly as many contractions as I did last pregnancy. I'm so lost when it comes to my body and pregnancy anymore!

[chantal21]

I only see the OB if I start having serious problems like bleeding, dilating more, or consistent contractions.  When I saw the OB last I was in the hospital getting the steroid shots. They didn't feel it was necessary to be on any medication this time around. I don't know why. But This certain OB works with my midwife so when my midwife has a patient like me, I can see the OB whenever I need to but that also means any checkup with them comes out of my pocket. So to see them weekly I would have to pay 80bucks each week. The OB told me that my midwife is to see me weekly instead (because of the amount I would have to pay) and that she has to report back to them weekly on how I'm doing. So if something is reported back to them that they are uneasy about, we would do something.
Plus my midwife told me if I go into labor just before 37 weeks and she doesn't feel baby is big enough she said she will send me to the hospital. She is equipped for emergencies if anything happened. My last son needed a little bit of oxygen at first and then he was fine. So I feel like I have the best of both worlds at the moment. I don't like hospitals (I have my reasons) and if I can make it past 36 weeks I will be fine but if not I know I will be going to the hospital.
When I get preggo in the future, I will work with the OB and maybe try the progesterone injections or see what she recommends to try to prevent preterm labor. We will see.
For now getting through another day is all I care about. :)

[Michele, Katy, TX]

You are right Nicole.  But your doc may not have tried stopping it because of your history w/ preterm labor and because of your cervix problems.  I never had any problems with my cervix and before Mary, I had never gone into preterm labor before.

[NicMom]

My ob gave up on stopping labor when I was just shy of 35 weeks, but I've heard of some that will keep going until 37 weeks. I really think it just depends on the dr and the situation. I'm also surprised your midwife hasn't had you working with an ob to get through the next couple weeks.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

IDK Chantal.  My doctor would try to stop it before 37 weeks.  I know with my last one, he stopped it at 34 weeks.  I went in one morning contracting every 5 minutes.  BUT, I was not dialated yet.  Once dialation begins, they can't stop it and then you would have to deliver.  Another words, if someone is only having contractions, those can generally be stopped with meds, but once dialation begins along w/ contractions, they can't stop it at that point.

Good luck girl!!!  I just know she is going to be just fine and you are going to have a blast having a girl.  Not to say there is anything wrong w/ boys.  LOL!  Just saying that it is so cute how they are your shadow and want to do everything their mommy does :)  I have 5 girls and never get tired of that.  Right now, they hang on my every word.  Ha ha!  Oh, how that will change w/ years, but right now, I'm lovin it!!!

[ChristineMP]

It seems to me that you are now a bit high risk for a midwife? Has your midwife suggested a amnio to see if baby's lungs are mature? Are you delivering in a hospital with a midwife...so help is nearby just in case baby needs it?

[mami2karina]

No they wouldn't stop it if you go into labor now. And I'd think you'd be too far dilated to stop it anyways. I pray the steriods are doing their job and baby girl is nice and healthy when she gets here. I can't imagine how you're feeling right now. *hugs*

[chantal21]

Thanks! I'm just so glad to be nearing the end now.
I got the steroid shots about a month ago, but that's it. Hoping to just get through 2 more weeks! My hubby wants me to go longer, which would be great, but unlikely at this point. I'm definitely feeling blah these days and some contractions come with bad lower back pain and pressure. And my pelvis hurts so bad and if I walk, I have to go very slowly almost feels like she is going to fall out! lol

Hoping those us who have a history of going early, can make it full term!

Nicole, when my midwife checked me, I could see the look in her face that she was not happy. I was like, "don't tell me I'm 4cm"  and sure enough I am. I don't get it!! But at this point, you are right, every single day is vital at this point. Now that I am this far dilated, I will keep a very close eye on contractions and pains.

I'm guessing at this point, they wouldn't try to stop labor if it happened or would they?

[NicMom]

Oh my gosh 4cm was my ob's limit that was when they put me in the hospital and for good reason since the baby was born 3 hours later. Hang on you are so very close! I keep saying it, but every day matters now.

[jtaylor102481]

Just hang in there u only have two weeks left u can do it.  Right now I have five and half wks to go . They did give u steroids right.  They had me on the shots to prevent preterm labor but had to stop them because I had an allegric reaction to them :( so I am crampy on and off bit nothing to serious and it isn't causing any Change that they have noted so I am really on pins and needles now hoping things to happen to early.  I wil keep my fingers crossed that she stays put a lil longer :)

[mamaofonetrying42]

Hang in there!!!

[mami2karina]

Good luck! I hope she stays in a little longer. I asked my OB at my appt yesterday who far I should make it since I'm doing the injections, he said everyone is different. He has a patient who did them and she's due in a few days and still hasn't gone into labor, but he has another who has gone into labor at 35 weeks even with the shots, 3 times! Alex was born at 35 weeks and he was fine. Did they give you steriods in case she comes early?

[Cookee83]

I have a question, does it feel like something is tearing down there? I've been feeling this quite a bit lately and my doctor says that this normal but it doesn't feel normal.

Good luck, I've never been on bed rest but I know it eventually gets boring. Hang in there and I will keep you in my prayers.

[vacuumprincess]

good luck!  hope she stays in there a bit longer!  Bed rest is for the birds!  I was on it in the hospital for a few weeks when I had my now 6 yr old.

I have had the same type of pains for weeks, but no dialation or anything.  I'm 38 wks today.  Hang in there!