Any day now, also have a question

kelliejune

So I'm 37 wks along and as of today am 2 cm dilated, I've been having contractions for weeks now and lately they've been very intense. My doctor said she wants to recheck me on Friday and if I'm at 3 they are doing the c-section that day! She said its just mean to let me sit there in pain when dilating isn't necessary for c-sections. So I am torn between jogging a mile and laying immobile for the next 2 weeks haha! 

 The doctor also said that if I have her this week she would be in the special care unit for a while due to lung development. But I thought babies were able to breathe normally at 37 weeks? I also had steroids given to me for her lungs a few weeks ago, but the dr has me worried that she will be in the special care unit Do you think she would be?

MeggieLou2

Each baby is different but I had my DS by c-section at a little over 37 weeks and we went home after two days.  Don't worry until you've got a reason to be worried!  Good luck and be excited...your sweet baby girl will be here before you know it!

hopkins5

Why are they inducing you at 37 weeks? Did I miss something? You're choosing to have a c-section three weeks early just because you're 2 cm dilated already?

Switzerland

DD was born at 36w1d and was fine, breathing on her own, no special care required. Every baby is different but at 37 weeks I personally wouldn't worry too much. 

cottonlily84

My baby came earlier than 37 weeks though I had the steroid injections also.  But she had to go to the NICU because of the c/s.  She didn't get the fluid pushed out of her lungs as she would have during a vaginal delivery so they took her away from the OR.  She had her lungs cleared out and was only on the ventilator a couple of hours until her color became normal.  So 37 weeks or not your LO still might have to be in the NICU.  Even a full term baby might have to go, for the same reason mine did. 

EveryNameIWantIsTaken

I don't understand why your doctor would do this without good medical reasoning if she is already warning you that your baby will have lung issues and end up in the NICU.

RoxBride

What is the reason for a c/s?

akayf

Unless it is medically necessary, most hospitals do not allow you to schedule either an induction or c-section until you are 39 weeks.   And being in pain/discomfort or being dilated to 3 cm doesn't count as a reason to have the c-section.   Just because you're dilated doesn't mean you're in active labor.   I have friends who walked around for several weeks 3+ cm and were not in active labor. 

Why would you want to have your baby early if you already know he/she will have to go to special care?     Having a baby in special care sucks.   My son(born at 38 weeks 6 days) had to go to special care because he was born not breathing and had a fever.   He was not allowed to leave the nursery until late Thursday afternoon(he was born Tuesday at 9:25 PM)  I didn't get to hold him until Wed afternoon.   I couldn't hold him in the OR because he had to be rushed off.   Then I was basically chained to the bed in the post partum unit until lunch time the next day.   That was when I was finally able to get up for the first time and sit in a wheelchair so they could wheel me down to see him.   If he had been in the regular nursery, I would have never had to wait 16+ hours to hold my son.  

Stay put and let that baby bake a little longer.   Yes  most babies will be fine if born at 37 weeks.   However, why would you want to put your baby at risk?  

disbride061103

If your doctor's reasoning is that "it's mean to let you sit there in pain when dilating isn't necessary" I would ABSOLUTELY NOT consent to a c/s on Friday.  There are numerous studies that show that unless it is medically necessary for mother or child, a c/s should NOT be performed prior to 39 weeks.  It is well known that c/s babies are far more prone to respiratory distress and issues.  Studies have shown that waiting until a minimum of 39 weeks for a c/s will reduce the risk.  Personally, I would flat out ask your doctor why she is recommending something that is clearly  not in the best interest of your baby. 

lilylow

What is the reason you need a c/s?  Just because you started dilating?  If I were you I would wait as long as possible before giving birth.  Your baby will thank you later.

I'm giving your doctor a major side eye right now.

ChiTown Bridget

Every baby is different. I had my ds at 38 weeks and he had some breathing trouble (even though his lungs were fully developed) and was in the nicu for 5 days.

Ready4life

My water broke with my first at 37 weeks exactly.  I had previa so a c/s was needed.  She turned out to be perfectly healthy (just on the small side at 5lb 10oz). I think 37 weeks the chances are really good she won't need assistance, especially since you had steriods. Not sure why your Dr said she "would be".  She has no way of knowing that for sure. But like PP said, it varies per baby. There must be more to this story since you had steriod shots a few weeks ago and your Dr wants to do a c/s. I would trust your Dr but if you have problems with delivering this early, I would address them with her before making a decision.

SheLovesMrHip

Like PP have said, all babies are different. Since they have given you steriods have they thouht about an amnio to see about LO's lungs? That was our plan, but I ended up with my Csection at 36 weeks instead of my amnio that day..... Our little girl was in the NICU because her lungs were very wet from all the fluid she swallowed during my surgery.

Also, if she does end up in the NICU, its ok, I will say that our LO had the best care in there.....feel free to Pm me with questions.....

expectingnothing

I have friends who've had contractions (intense) all along and they will try to stop labor until you reach 37 weeks.  Then they will let you go into labor.  So I'm guessing that is your Dr's reasoning, it's just that you won't need to progress and dilate and she'll do the c/s if your body begins the labor process on it's own.  Since you had the steroid shot a few weeks ago, I'm guessing you've been having contractions here and there for quite a while now and she was thinking you could go into labor early.

DD1 was born at 36.5 weeks and I did not have the steroid shot and she was perfectly fine.  She was kept with the nurses for a little extra time in the first few hours because she could not stabilize her blood sugars, but then she stayed with me the rest of our hospital stay.  (Except at night, she was in the nursery so I could rest and heal.) 

 Good luck!

kelliejune

Geez Louise ladies hold onto your bonnets before you jump my case! I would NEVERRR do anything to make my daughter come early i was just saying im so ready for her to come.

 My doctor said  weve been holding her in against her will for over 11 weeks now, and she didn't want me walking around 3cm dilated and bleeding. I absolutely have to have a c/s because baby is breech and my uterus is split and shes only in one side. They have stopped labor 3 times already and the baby has been under stress because ive been having contractions since i was 26 weeks along. They said if i made it to 37 weeks itd be a miracle in the first place, which ive been doing absolutely nothing but being on bed rest for weeks now. I didnt put all the gory details about why she would be taking the baby early but since i had lots of negative people comment i figured i would.

On monday 11/7/11 i have a c-section at 1:30,  ill be 39 weeks that day so i hope you all are a little more happy for me!