Docs appt -almost ended up with an emotional breakdown!

KV1308

So, I had my 35.5 weeks appt thursday morning. And DH and I were expecting to hear the doc say that I have another 3-4 weeks to go bfore DS arrives. So after the internal exam was done, doc says I am 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated.And she said you are almost getting there, you have another week to go but after that it could be anytime??

DH and I were in a state of shock for a few moments as this was not what we were prepared to hear. And you wud have thought I knew what she was saying as this is my 2nd pregnancy!  I guess I was hoping to go along for another 3 to 3.5 weeks as my 1st one was born close to my due date. And I was barely 3cm dilated when I landed in the hospital and after being in labor for 20 some hrs I delivered DD (W/ help of epidural followed by pitocin to help progress the labor) 2 yrs ago!

Ofcourse the first thought that came to my mind was that I dont want DS to be born bfore I complete 37 weeks. And then so many thoughts just came rushing through, DH is enrolled in part time MBA and the next 2 weeks are crucial for him. I still have a laundry list of things to get done in terms of preparing for DS. And both of us have no family living close by, MIL will be with us only in the first week of May. I just felt totally overwhelmed and ended up bawling out in the car ( Poor DH assured me he will do whatever he can to help me out and reassured me we will be alright. I am still a bit overwhelmed by the news and am trying to stay calm but I cant seem to keep the anxiety levels down!

Has anyone had a similar situation? and if so how long bfore you went into L&D?

Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for the best! 

Eros

I have not been in your situation, but I just wanted to wish you luck.  I know that it seems like things won't work out with school and your list of things to do, but life has a way of working out.  Have DH get as much work done as he can now (that's what I'm doing for my program just in case) and have him talk to his professors to give them a head's up.  Get as much done on your list as you can, but don't stress too much.  You probably have everything you need for your little one and the rest will settle into place.  Good luck!

nikintheheart

Eros:

I have not been in your situation, but I just wanted to wish you luck.  I know that it seems like things won't work out with school and your list of things to do, but life has a way of working out.  Have DH get as much work done as he can now (that's what I'm doing for my program just in case) and have him talk to his professors to give them a head's up.  Get as much done on your list as you can, but don't stress too much.  You probably have everything you need for your little one and the rest will settle into place.  Good luck!

 

this.

good luck, and try not to stress too much. 

Bakes4u

I'm surprised your doctor said you only had a week left, then it could be anytime. Many people have walked around for weeks at a time dilated and still didn't have the baby until due date or even later.

iris427

KV1308:

So, I had my 35.5 weeks appt thursday morning. And DH and I were expecting to hear the doc say that I have another 3-4 weeks to go bfore DS arrives. So after the internal exam was done, doc says I am 70% effaced and 1 cm dilated.And she said you are almost getting there, you have another week to go but after that it could be anytime??

DH and I were in a state of shock for a few moments as this was not what we were prepared to hear. And you wud have thought I knew what she was saying as this is my 2nd pregnancy!  I guess I was hoping to go along for another 3 to 3.5 weeks as my 1st one was born close to my due date. And I was barely 3cm dilated when I landed in the hospital and after being in labor for 20 some hrs I delivered DD (W/ help of epidural followed by pitocin to help progress the labor) 2 yrs ago!

Ofcourse the first thought that came to my mind was that I dont want DS to be born bfore I complete 37 weeks. And then so many thoughts just came rushing through, DH is enrolled in part time MBA and the next 2 weeks are crucial for him. I still have a laundry list of things to get done in terms of preparing for DS. And both of us have no family living close by, MIL will be with us only in the first week of May. I just felt totally overwhelmed and ended up bawling out in the car ( Poor DH assured me he will do whatever he can to help me out and reassured me we will be alright. I am still a bit overwhelmed by the news and am trying to stay calm but I cant seem to keep the anxiety levels down!

Has anyone had a similar situation? and if so how long bfore you went into L&D?

Keeping my fingers crossed and praying for the best! 

Well technically isn't that true for all of us?  In another week or so you'll be full-term so of course it could be any day after that point.  It doesn't sound like the doctor told you anything shocking.  

Your cervical dilation at this point doesn't mean anything.  It tells you nothing about when you will go into labor.  It's normal for second + time mothers to have cervical progress earlier than first timers, because your body has done this before and is remembering it's supposed to start dilating.  It doesn't mean you will go into labor soon.  There is a poster on here who was 4 cm dilated for 6 weeks before she had her baby.

LuvTrav

Iris summed it up for me as usual I don't see anything wrong with what your OB said. In one week, you will be 37 weeks and the baby can come anytime after that, hopefully later rather than sooner but I don't think she was implying your LO would be here in a week.

iamrobyn

YES! I've got twins coming and 2 weeks ago walked into the docs office and she said that it looked like I was developing pre-eclampsia and immediately began talking about induction or c-section ASAP.  Talk about freaking me out!  Since then she and the other docs have dialed back a notch but I left that appointment, got to my car and cried for 20 minutes.  Then I called my husband and cried over the phone at him while trying to explain.  

I'm looking forward to meeting the babies, but to be talking delivery at 33 weeks sent me into a panic for sure.  And just like you I wasn't only thinking of their health and my health but of all the unfinished things we have left to complete before they arrive!  

Hang in there! 

BabyBebe1

Try to not stress. I'm a second time Mommy and have been 3 CM for more than 3 weeks now. And no baby in sight. I've lost my plug too and have definitely dropped, and my OB actually seems rather unimpressed by the combination of those things. You just never know...

I like other posters ideas of tackling your list one thing at a time and then just trying to relax. Hang in there! 

antes22

This is why I think internal exams should be avoided if at all possible. They hurt like crazy and really it doesn't mean anything! You could walk around like that for weeks! Don't stress, everything will work out!

KV1308

I was a bit panic stricken bcoz of the possibility that the baby could be born bfore I complete 37 weeks and my hospital doesnt have a NICU at all! And at my last week's appt, I was told I had a long way to go. So I wasnt mentally prepared to go into labor earlier and I guess I was just thinking of all the things that could go wrong!

And also, she mentioned that my blood test showed that I was extremely anemic and gave me a prescription. I was surprised that they didnt call me right away last week after the results came in so that I could have gotten a start on extra dosage of the iron tablets. 

I have been reading up online and in these message boards abt others in similar situations and ofcourse its like a toss up: you can stay dilated for weeks without going into labor like some of you mentioned or it can happen quickly.  I have been having severe pain in the pelvic area and the joints (specially during the night time) that I panic whether I am dilating. So having those anxiety moments now and then I am thankful to all of you for your kind words and support and even though I cannot meet you in person, its touching to know that strangers out there care for you.