Hmmmm ... well, I didn't expect THIS!

JGY · January 2013

[Apologies in advance for the length of the post]

So after 34 weeks of a super happy, healthy, normal, and relatively easy pregnancy, I had a surprising prenatal appointment yesterday. Apparently I am 60% effaced (no dilation yet, thankfully), and that came as a complete shock to both me AND my Midwife!

My Midwife is a fantastic guy. I used to be a Birth Doula many moons ago, and I switched to him for my annual care after attending a client birth where he delivered the baby. He and I have a longstanding and fun relationship. So I guess I wasn't shocked when he said he wanted to pull me out of the office for work (we negotiated that I could work from home). He knows how stressful my office situation is, and by putting me on Modified Bed Rest, he knew he could alleviate some of that stress without going overboard.

But ... I feel really weird about it. Maybe because I feel nothing different physically? And I'm not necessarily comfortable with taking my level of activity down that far because I'm concerned that it will have negative efffects on my labor/delivery when that time does arrive. On the other hand I know he wanted me to take the development seriously, and I certainly don't want a 34 or 35 weeker on my hands if I have the chance of going full term.

Any experience out there with this kind of thing? Suggestions? Jokes? I'm at a loss. I think mostly I needed to get my confusion and concerns out there, so thanks for reading this far. Once again I feel so lucky to have our little community here to turn to.

Sigh.

JGY

jennicole85 · January 2013

I have no advice, I'm sorry, but I do want to wish you luck. This can't be easy and I hope you are able to keep that baby inside just a little while longer. Full term is not that far away!

leapgirl8 · January 2013

It's only 6 weeks. Over the course of your career, that is nothing. Over the course of a pregnancy, it's enormous. Enjoy your less-stressful work situation, take care of yourself, and don't waste a moment feeling guilty about it.

mhkd042206 · January 2013

I went into preterm labor at 26 weeks with my twin boys. I credit modern medicine and a wonderful team of doctors for keeping me pregnant until 34 weeks. But I also credit myself for remaining on bed rest for 8 weeks. It is not easy. I know that! And most people will speak as if bed rest is awesome. It's not. But just remember that you are doing what is best for the baby. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. And remember each day in your belly is a great thing!!

healz413 · January 2013

I have no words of wisdom but I just wanted to say I hope you find being home an unexpected joy and a nice change. And I think it's totally rad that you have a male midwife!

JGY · January 2013

Thanks everyone. I did need a bit of a reality check/slap. It's not like I don't have 1 million things to do at home as well, and getting rid of the 1/hr commute each way is nice. My boss just stresses me out. But he (and I) will get over it.

healz413:
I have no words of wisdom but I just wanted to say I hope you find being home an unexpected joy and a nice change. And I think it's totally rad that you have a male midwife!

Yeah, he's pretty rad. My understanding is that he's 1 of 2 male midwives in the state. And I switched to him in 2006 with the faint hope that some day I would get pregnant and he would deliver my baby. And further, it's funny, the client of mine that he delivered when I met him, is actually now MY Doula, as I was her Doula for her first. Crazy circle of life.

2moms2b · February 2013

This is similar to what happened with me. At 33 weeks we had a PTL scare and found I was slightly dilated but almost 70 effaced so basically my body was doing it backwards.

I highly recommend the modified bed rest as it saved me from progressing any further.

I was able to cook my babies for another 3 weeks so just listen to your body and take it as easy as possible.

JGY · February 2013

2moms2b what are you doing bumping??!!

Thanks for the support. I got some more information this morning from my MW. He was pretty clear again that it was the stress he wanted me to avoid. So I'm actually clear to run errands, walk the dog, SWIM (yay!), just everything in moderation and listen to my body.

Honestly, I think he just wanted me away from my boss.

Yay! I can handle all of that.

thiswillbe · February 2013

So glad to hear you and he are being proactive, and that he was willing to write you out of the office. Hope the stress reduction helps keep your kiddo cooking!

And, FWIW, a big ditto to what leap said!

2moms2twins · February 2013

M went on bed rest at 18weeks and liek you she felt great all was wonderful tho pregnant with twins ... she made it to 1 day shy of 37weeks but after the DR pulled out BABY # 2 he hugged me and said " I AM GLAD WE MADE IT TO HERE BECAUSE I DID NOT THINK WE WERE GONNA HAVE BABIES"

i was shocked and floored- and so thankful - but like you we really did not see the severity or need and M was feeling great - but what we didn't know what that the DR all the while ( every 3 days for monitoring ) did not see these babies being born because she was much worse off than (we) thought. She did have a emergency cerclage and all and was on bedrest but even then he was still not 100%

So - keep growing that baby and enjoy the rest and get pampered!

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