No sign of baby coming

[Laila2015E]

Hi!

So I'm 37 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I had my appointment yesterday and found out my cervix is the same, not soft at all and I haven't dilated. I'm a first time mom and was wondering if there are natural ways to speed up the process? Or should I wait it out?

If the baby decides to come after 40 weeks, I am afraid I'll be induced or get a C-section when I really want to do it naturally.. Until I can't handle the pain anymore,then I am thinking of taking epidural.

Thank you!

[Sharita0427]

Well you know once you're dilated past a certain point, you won't be able to get an epidural.

[mags242001]

Usually 1st time mom's go pass their 50 weeks. Sounds like u are if ur cervix is not even thinning..

[lousie_1986]

You're doing the best for your baby by wanting natural labour! In the final hours before spontaneous labour, cortisol levels rise sharply (and thyroid hormone levels are rising too), which helps the newborn adapt to life outside the womb and to breathe properly.  You don't get this surge in csecs or inductions. The brain also increases by 50% from wk 35 to 40. Plus in the final weeks the endocrine system matures, the gut matures in preparation for normal feeding, and lungs and liver mature.

They all seem pretty good reasons to wait to me! And if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and your doctor is pushing for induction at or close to 40 weeks just say no if you don't want it! It's not evidence based and it goes against recommendations made from peer reviewed research. Make 42 weeks your cut off and relax instead!

[alexis444]

Wait it out pregnancy is 40 weeks so if you go up to that point its good:) Don't worry give yourself a good two weeks before you start to worry. My doctor said he won't check until I'm 38 weeks to see if I'm dialated. With my first pregnancy I delivered at 38 weeks and didn't even realize I was dialated it happened so fast.

[alexis444]

Oh if you walk a lot that will help or bounce on one of those excersice balls if you have one.

[Laila2015E]

Thank you everyone!

[afurtado15]

My doctor won't be checking me until I'm 39w to see if I'm dilated. I'm 38w 6d, so I have no idea lol