Thick cervix

[madidayne]

I just hit my 36 week mark and I have dialated to a 2. I was told my baby is very low and in position for over 3 weeks now. My problem is my contractions are not reaching over the 30's and are not regular so it's not considered labor. My main concern is my cervix is still VERY thick and I'm only 10% efaced. I've gone in 3 times now in 2 weeks and nothing has changed. I've tried everything from fast paced walking to up and down my stairs all day. My husband and I are having sex as well. I don't know what else to do but I'm miserable and getting to the point of breaking. My doctor said my baby is perfectly normal is ready for delivery. He was a big baby and advanced in maturing so that is not a issue. We are military so induction is not an issue. HELP!

[babycaces]

Any baby born after 36 weeks is considered full-term. I have worked as a nurse in both Peds and OB/GYN. While in Peds, a baby over 36 weeks was not eligible to receive a vaccine that would help prevent RSV. The ONLY was to detect lung maturity is by a test called lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio. Due dates are only an approximate that is based off a regular cycle lasting 28 days. I know my ovulation time is about 18 days from the beginning of my last menstrual period as compared to 14 days for a 28 day cycle...remember this is not an exact science

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I have 5 kids and start dialiating at 36 weeks like clockwork with all of them.  I still always carry until the very end though.  The earliest I have ever had one is 12 days before my due date.  She was just fine.  My cervix never thins either until I am in labor so I wouldn't worry about that.  As far as trying everything you can to start labor, the baby will come when she is ready.  I know  it's hard, but you are at the end now.  Oh, and my son was born only 2 days before his due date and he was the one in NICU after birth.  He stopped breathing about 6 hours after he was born.  They did all kinds of test including tests to make sure his lungs were fully developed.  They were.  They just determined that my labor was so hard that it put too much pressure on his brain.  Obviously the longer the baby stays inside there, the better off for him/her but he/she will come when she is good and ready.  I trust my doctor with my life.  He's been my doctor since I was 15.  I hope you have a doctor that you have a lot of faith in.   God bless you and your baby!!!

[Julz34]

Well for one don't listen to the Dr when they say the baby is mature and ready. This is from personal experience as well. They said that with mine, I was having contractions all day, he was so low I couldn't barely get up and walk around, he was born at 37 weeks and was 7lbs 6 oz, which is a good size for just hitting 37 weeks. But.... he had MAJOR lungs problems. He was in the NICU all night and then transported to childrens hospital to be intubated because the oxygen was at it's max and wasn't doing a thing. He was in the hospital altogether for 10 days. He had problems learning how to eat because his suction wasn't all the way developed either. So, if I were you I would quit trying to force this baby to come out. My Dr. induced me, and said mine was ready. The only way they can tell that, which isn't 100% is through an anmio to see if the lungs are developed. I had no idea and thought I could trust my Dr. but don't listen to them. That baby will come when he's ready. It pisses me off, excuse my language that Dr's say this. You're only 36 weeks which isn't even considered full term. The last 4 weeks make a HUGE difference in their development. It's hard to get past the 4 weeks and you can't sleep, you pee all the time, you can barley move, but if you're still having sex, and still doing brisk walking, well then you're doing very well, better than a lot do at 36 weeks. I'm not trying to sound mean either, but trying to get my point across that the baby is probably not ready. Some babies do come out ok, but you can't count on that. They said my son would have been close to 9lbs had he reached 40 weeks. That's a big difference so goes to show they do mature a lot in the last month. And thus, why it's 9 months of pregnancy not 8. With my daughter, who is 14 months, they said they thought she would be 9-10lbs and so did the L&D nurse when I went in to have her, she was only 7lbs 7oz, so they're not always correct on if the baby is big either, or w/e. And the Dr, who delivered my daughter said the Dr who delivered my son should have NEVER induced me at 37 weeks. So I would be careful and hang in there. I'm sure you would much rather have the baby be healthy at birth, and him staying inside of you is the best possible thing right now. So think about your baby, not just how uncomfortable you are.

And to add.... Many women are dilated very early on in their pregnancy, it dosen't mean much. Some women are dilated 6 weeks before they go into labor, and many drop (babies head engages) 6 weeks before the delivery date as well and some go over their date. I was VERY thick with my 4th one, this last little girl at full term, so it dosen't matter but once they induced me I had her in 2 hours and 55 minutes. So you honestly can't go off of how your cervix is to wether or not you will go into labor.

Think about how you want him to be healthy and to take him home, he could very well be in the hospital at Chirstmas time which you don't want. It was hard because mine got out right before Christmas and that's all I thought about was how I wanted him home. You WILL make it, God designed out bodies to carry these children and to be able to bear all the pains that come with carrying them, especially the last month. You and this baby will be in my prayers that if he does come he will be healthy!!

God Bless