XPed from Natural Birth Board, as I wonder if women who see MWs have a different experience.
What has your experience been with your doctor/MW's stress level as you get closer to your due date? Are they generally relaxed with a "babies come when they are ready" attitude or have they started to get more anxious about delivering early?
Here's the deal: my due date has been somewhat in flux for all of my pregnancy. My "official EDD" is January 31st, which was set because my MWs do not want to run into their hospital policy of induction at 42 weeks. However, based on my conception date and measurements, the MWs have always said that my EDD is probably more like January 24th-28th. This would put me anywhere from 37w5d to 38w5d today. For the last three appointments (since about 35 weeks), my MWs have been really anxious about my delivery and although they tell me "babies come when they are ready," they have been pretty adamant that this baby is coming early. Their anxiety is exhibiting itself in ways that are kind of stressing me out - instructing me not to work, asking me to make sure that my mom (who is our doula) is here as soon as possible.
So, obviously, this is causing me to be kind of stressed about when I might go into labor. I have had a really healthy pregnancy (no signs of pre-e or other issues, healthy weight gain although my baby is measuring big) and have not had any signs of labor yet. I was completely prepared to go late (and at peace with that) until the MWs started getting nervous.
My question: Has this been your experience? What would you make of these attitudes from an otherwise very laid-back MW practice?
Re: XP: Experiences with Drs/MWs and stress about impending delivery?
I just think you need to completely forget about whatever is going on with your midwives. As long as all of your tests, measurements and appointments are going well and you and your babies seem healthy, yuo don't need to worry about anything.
Our bodies are so amazing and complex, and just as stress can effect our fertility, it also (in my experience) effects labor and delivery. When you are under a lot of stress it could effect the timing of labor, and also your perception of the pain. It can make pushing take longer. I have no doubt that our babies decide to come when they know mom is healthy and relaxed and able to handle the work ahead. So the more you worry right now, the harder it is all going to be.
Trust your body and focus on how you want your birth to go - not on all of the things you think could go wrong. You're going to be fine
My super all about me birth story:
Then: Fraternal twins born at 26 weeks in 1983. Me: 640 grams. Brother: 840 grams. Family kept watch in the NICU for 5 months before being allowed to go home. On oxygen for a year and a half after being released.
Now: Me: PhD student and married. Brother: Lawyer and married.
Dad's wedding speech: Thank you to all the family who stood watch and prayed for our children's survival. Well now the little scrawny chicken is married. Who would've thought? (Thanks dad for making me laugh and cry at the same time).
My BFP Chart
Yep - I also got that lecture yesterday... and a note requiring that I work from home for the duration. Not that I am complaining - getting dressed up and sitting at a desk all day has started taking a toll.