39 weeks and no progress

chezzybear · June 2014

I am 39 weeks with my second. I went to the doctor today and was told that I had made no progress. No dilation, mucus plug in place, baby is high. My DS came early at 36.5 weeks when my water broke. After 14 hours of pitocin, I only dilated to 4cm. they pushed me into a c-section. I really want to try for a vbac but the doctors aren't giving me much hope. Anything else I can do? I mean at least the doctor was able to reach my cervix. I'm really discouraged and frustrated. Any advice?

GPeterson24 · June 2014

Full term ranges from 37-42 weeks and every pregnancy is different. Labour can come on very quickly even without any signs ahead of time.

Try to relax and enjoy the last little bit if you can. Wishing you a smooth VBAC!

GinnyJ2012 · June 2014

I had no signs of progress at my 40 week appt and had DS at 40w4d. When my water broke I wasn't effaced much and was only 1cm dilated. That was at 5am and DS was born vaginally at 4:49pm.

Things can change quickly. I hope you get the VBAC you're hoping for.

PrimRoseMama · June 2014

All you can do is wait really.

chezzybear · June 2014

I keep on telling myself that as well. I have steady contractions at night that I can actually feel and a bunch during the day that I don't really feel because I am chasing my son around.

I have done my floors twice this week. They are so shiny. I have done the exercise ball 3x a day.

I guess I'll just wait and pray..

GoingOnFour · June 2014

As others have said, even the idea that you should be "Showing signs of progress" at this point is without merit. Pregnancy is not, contrary to popular doc's textbook notions, a linear progression with everything predictable. In theory, things are different, from in practice. In practice, women can go from tight, high, and firm, to in active labor, in a very short period of time, and no doc can predict for, or against, that happening, much as they might wish to.

The negatives of having cervical checks are many (increased risk of infections being a primary negative, plus the likelihood of having your membranes stripped with or without your knowledge and consent or even accidentally, while someone's fingers are up there), and the positives, few to none. You do have the right to say no to a cervical check, hard as it is to resist the pressure and the persuasive sounding argument that it will somehow tell anyone anything at all about "how things are progressing". Another reason to say no thanks, to a cervical check (and wear pants to your appointment, and simply refuse to take them off) is because being told repeatedly that you're never going to go into labor on your own, either directly or by implication, as a result of these checks, sets you up for a loss of confidence, that makes you much more easy to talk into interventions you may not have otherwise consented to.

There really is not a shred of evidence to support cervical checks late in pregnancy to predict anything at all about when labor will start, and lots of evidence against the practice, primarily as a way of increasing the risk of infection, and also increasing the risk of stripping membranes and bringing about labor before your body was ready.

CKH225 · June 2014

GoingOnFour said:

There really is not a shred of evidence to support cervical checks late in pregnancy to predict anything at all about when labor will start, and lots of evidence against the practice, primarily as a way of increasing the risk of infection, and also increasing the risk of stripping membranes and bringing about labor before your body was ready.

I'm at 39 weeks tomorrow and my doctor hasn't done any cervical checks because of this-- they don't really tell you anything. (I love that may Dr. doesn't do things unnecessarily.) Baby will come when baby is ready. Try not to get discouraged!

cMichelle0423 · June 2014

theresat858 said:
39 weeks is not yet full term. Many women don't have progress until labor starts.

39 weeks IS full term

ashanshel · June 2014

Today I am 39+1 week pregnant and in the same boat as you! About three weeks ago when I was tested for strep b the midwife did a check and said I was about 1 cm dilated and softened. So i was looking forward to my app today to see if i had any progress, I was feeling alot of cramps the last few days, but today at my visit the doctor said I was not dilated at all!

Now im thinking I might be pregnant forever! So I agree, as much as I want to be checked to see whats happening, they are just cruel because they don't really mean anything. I keep telling myself that just because im not dilated doesn't mean I will be over due...but that might just be wishful thinking!

PrimRoseMama · June 2014

The following represent the four new definitions of ‘term’ deliveries:

•Early Term: Between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days

•Full Term: Between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days

•Late Term: Between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days

•Postterm: Between 42 weeks 0 days and beyond

https://m.acog.org/About_ACOG/News_Room/News_Releases/2013/Ob-Gyns_Redefine_Meaning_of_Term_Pregnancy?IsMobileSet=true

PrimRoseMama · June 2014

Also, any progress made before active labor is icing on the cake. Honestly, I wouldn't worry. Though I do understand feeling done.

Jennys9 · June 2014

As many have mentioned, vaginal checks mean nothing- your OB is behind the times & you need a new one, sorry.

Google ways to naturally induce labor & cut yourself a break until 42 weeks! You poor thing.

Jennys9 · June 2014

cMichelle0423 said:

39 weeks is not yet full term. Many women don't have progress until labor starts.
39 weeks IS full term

Yes, but what she means is 39 weeks is not the end. Many OBs consider a normal pregnancy range for being due to be from 38 to 42 weeks. Most of the newer and more progressive ones (who aren't just fearing lawsuits) are perfectly fine with a woman going to 41 weeks without any worry or extra tests.

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