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1st timer questions

PeansPeans
in 3rd Trimester

I'm a rookie and unsure about some things....

1) Will I know for sure if its a contraction? I feel like I've had some, but I second guess if shes just moving in a different way or if I had one. It felt like my whole abdominal area tightened relatively hard for like 10 or 15 seconds and then it stopped...it happened again like seven minutes later and again about 10 mins later and then a few hours later.

2) Will I know for sure when the baby drops? I feel like she might have, but not positive...is this something that would've been without a doubt.

3) I'm having a planned C-Sec 3/26 (due to breech position + bicornuate uterus) and I had my first internal the other day. I was 1 cm dilated and 50% thinned (i have no idea what that means and I didnt think to ask at the time)....anyway, my question is the OB said from here on out its up to me if I want my cervix checked.  I dont know! I guess I'm thinking I should, but if she's giving me the option does it mean its not necessary?

TIA ladies

 

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Re: 1st timer questions

  • gypsywitchgypsywitch

    1. What you described is a contraction. As you get farther in labor they will become painful and you will know its time to call the doc.

    2. No. some womene never expereince this feelings. My baby has dropped, and I didn't know it; friends began commenting on how much lower my belly looked, and at a doc appt my doc confirmed baby had dropped. But I id not feel anything.

    3. it is not necessary if you are having a C-section; you know when your baby is going to be born.

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  • Rx4LuvRx4Luv

    1.  Contractions do feel like the hardening of your entire uterus.  These are normally Braxton Hicks contractions ("practice contractions") especially if they are not painful.  They normally do not do anything to enhance your readiness for labor (i.e. thining/dilating).  The other contractions (some that take your breath away) will help dilate you.

    2.  Everyone is different, some people to not drop until they are in labor so no worries.

    3.  You have to be 10 cm dilated and 100% effaced (thinned) to deliver a baby vaginally.  There is no correlation between what you are now and how fast labor will be or when you will even go into labor.  It normally takes that longest to dilate from 0 to 4-5 cm (weeks).  After 5 cm labor typically goes faster meaning you COULD go from 5 to 10 very quickly.  There is no point in having your cervix checked every week if everything has been good thus far (especially if the internal exams are painful for you).  You could have it done but like I said there is no correlation as to when you will go into active labor. 

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  • jenn4jenn4
    I can't answer the first 2, but I asked about #3 @ one of my appts.  They check your cervix just to make sure you're not all of the sudden very dilated.  If you go into a dr. appt & you're 6 cm dilated, they will send you to the hospital to do the c-section then instead of waiting until your scheduled date.  The point of checking is to avoid an emergency situation.
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