frustrated

tessatewks

I'm approaching my due date. In my due date group there are so many women who don't care how their babies come. I'm so emotionally invested in a successful VBAC. They are having all this progress between efffacement and dilation. Me: NOTHING. I have history of large baby (9lb 13oz) and asked midwives about stripping my membranes, but they say it can't be done until 2-3 cm dilated. I did not dilate before labor with DS1. I was closed tight, my cervix was long and hard, not effaced or softened. I've checked my own cervix and its maybe a fingertip dilated, but its been that way since before I was pregnant, so no real progress. At least its come forward that I can feel it (before it was waaaaay tooo posterior), but can you really call that "progress?"

So I'm huge, pregnant, have the odds against me because I'm going for a hospital VBAC and can't evne get my membranes stripped because I don't dilate before labor. I won't be dilated enough tomorrow at my appointment, i won't be next week or the week after. I don't dilate before labor. So unless a miracle happens and this time I actually go into labor before 42 weeks, I'm facing another induction which will surely end in a csection. YAY ME

selockar

I'm sorry. It sucks hearing about everyone around you going into labor. I don't have any great advice, but you should do something nice a relaxing for yourself this weekend. Maybe some time off from thinking about it will help you. Good Luck!

iris427

I'm sorry.  First, moving from posterior to anterior is definitely progress.  And every pregnancy and birth are different.  Try not to get too focused on whether you dilate before labor.  What matters is dilating during labor.  GL

MAprincess

Sorry you are frustrated.  I hope everything gets moving for you soon!  FWIW, I had a successful induced VBAC.  It can be done but obviously getting moving on your own is preferred. 

tessatewks

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Today was my appointment. I know I'm not 2-3 cm dilated (required to be able to get my membranes stripped), and with all the anxiety it was causing me, I just refused the cervix check. Could have been encouraging to hear if I was effaced and soft, even if I know I'm not dilated enough for even a membrane sweep, but the idea of having to undress didn't appeal to me. Plus, we had storms on teh forecast and its a 1.5hr drive, so I decided IF I could get stripped and IF it put me into labor today, that I didn't want to go into labor today and was content staying pregnant for a few more days.

Thursday is my next appointment (40w4d) and I'm definitely getting checked then and MAYBE hopefully I'll have dilated to at least a 2 and I can get my membranes stripped. (Or better, maybe go into labor on my own before that! Wishful thinking... I know. I'm definitely not getting my hopes up.)

vanillacourage

I've been ~1cm dilated for 3 weeks and have had my membranes stripped 3 times with no results.  I know it's frustrating but having membranes stripped is not a surefire way to go into labor - I would try to stop focusing on whether you can have this one procedure done because it sounds like it's really stressing you out.  Hang in there. 

cottonlily84

I'm sorry.  I know it's hard but try not to compare yourself to others.  It just puts too much extra stress and pressure on you.  We all work differently.  A lot can happen in just 2-3 weeks so take really good care of yourself now!  I hope things start rolling along naturally for you

tessatewks

Looks like I'm going to have another csection, and I'm only prolonging the misery.

Was finally checked for the first time today and she couldn't hardly reach my cervix - had to apply a lot of fundal pressure to even bring it far enough down to touch it. Couldn't even determine truly if I was dilated or not, but could obviously feel that I was not effaced. AT ALL. No dilation, no effacement. Not even a teensy bit.

Monday I go back. I might as well agree and ask for a RCS.