WWYD at 40w appointment?

chicsub

I know I have a little time before I actually have to worry about this, but my mind went there anyways.  I haven't had any internals and I'm very pleased with that decision thus far b/c now that I've had some spotting I know it wasn't from an internal and I can pretend that all the cramping I've had is doing something. 

Anyways, I think the only reason I would do an internal at my 40w appointment would be so my midwife could strip membranes.  And the only reason I'd do that is b/c when I got diagnosed with GD my cutoff of 42w seemed to be closer to 41w even though I'm diet-controlled.  My doula did say that if I got to that point that we could have an extra meeting and go over some discussion points to bring up with my MW and I do feel like I could get closer to 42w if I pushed it.  Had DS at 40w6d, fwiw.

Would you continue to not do an internal or have your membranes stripped at 40w just in case the MW decides to push back on the 41w vs. 42w?  I also would have another appointment later next week around 40w3d that would include an u/s, so I guess I could always do it then, right? 

I'm totally fine with LO coming after EDD, but I can see where I might start to get more anxious b/c of the extra attention and cutoff looming.  They have been super pleased with my GD, so I'm hoping that would work in my favor.  At my 39w appointment I didn't even bring up deadlines b/c I don't want to remind them of what they once said and it was a quick in and out appointment since everything looked good and I didn't have any new questions! 

Mrs. Braxton

Personally, I would probably have my membranes stripped in hopes it would get things going but in this situation all that matters is what YOU want to do. Regardless, I hope you don't need it. You could go into labor before then! I'm sending all my labor dust your way!

nosoup4u

I would save membrane stripping for a last resort. I think there's a risk that they can puncture your bag of waters, though I don't know how high of a chance that is, but I would personally be worried about that. I would think you have a pretty solid argument to go to 42 weeks if your GD is controlled and you agree to non-stress tests. hth! And I hope you go into labor reeeeally soon!!!

chicsub

Thanks, the more I think about it I'll probably skip it on Monday, but might reconsider for later in the week.  I would hate for them to check and have no progress too, I don't think I could handle that mentally since it would mean it's similar to how it was with DS at that same point. 

jen5-03

hope your appt went well. I would have had my membranes stripped at 40wk but my cervix was high and tight and not even soft - nothing. 9 days later I had a successful vbac. "progress" or lack of really means little before you're in labor.