Had my 36 week appt yesterday morning (Monday), and baby is lying diagonally and breech. His/her head is up by my right boob, and butt is down by my left hip. Argh - two weeks ago was nicely head down. Will go back next Tuesday for 37 week appt and she'll do an ultrasound to see exactly where the baby has decided to settle - hopefully just still rolling around in there!
I am supposed to have my 38 week appointment this week but my family is trying to convince me to skip it. He was going to do an internal exam and they are convinced it will start labour. (Or he will secretly try to strip the membranes) I trust my doctor but already being quite anxious I am nervous about the exam. I don't want the internal exam in case it can start labour even though I don't think it can. I don't feel comfortable declining the exam although my ob is great. I am considering changing my appointment to next week and visiting my family doctor this week for the regular checks.
That's so tough @blush64. I can't pretend to understand the dynamics of your situation, but I think that you'd be well within your rights to decline the exam if YOU want to, and use the family's wishes as an excuse to make it easier. I don't think internal exams at this point provide any essential information unless they are deciding on an induction procedure or something like that. I've heard of many people declining them and not being given a hard a time about it. I do think that it's unlikely to start labor though. I'll probably take mine today if it's offered just out of blind, stupid curiosity, and I'm also 38 weeks.
@blush64 I'm sorry you feel pressure to skip the internal exam. Maybe you could call ahead and ask if they will skip the exam so you aren't put in the awkward position of declining it while in the office? When I saw my OB at my appointment last week he told me he'd be doing checks from then to the end but only if I was ok with it. I said I was fine with it because I was curious but he made it seem like if I had declined it wouldn't have been a big deal so I don't think you should feel bad about declining.
Me: 33 | DH: 34 Married: October, 19, 2015 EDD 2/22/17 DS1 born on 3/2/17 EDD 3/8/20 DS2 born on 3/10/20 EDD 11/24/23 (Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
@blush64 why does your family think your OB will ignore your wishes and do a sweep without consent? Has your OB done other things in a similar fashion?
If there is a legitimate reason to distrust your OB, then you should consider switching providers to someone you can trust.
If they just have a feeling or a general distrust of doctors, you should make your own decision. Do you trust your OB? Do you feel comfortable refusing an internal exam? Do you want the exam for any reason? Can you have a conversation with your OB and ask general consent questions? IE: why are we doing this exam? What are the risks/ benefits? What happens if I don't get this exam?
You can share concerns that others have had a membrane sweep without consent. You can say "I do not give my consent for a membrane sweep at this time."
So, I just got back from my 38 weeks appointment and my doc kinda freaked me out. She measured me twice, got a weird look on her face, and then told me I was measuring small, and had been for the last few weeks. She tried to calm me down by telling me it may be nothing, just how he's positioned, but that she was scheduling me for an ultrasound just to be safe. My sister measured small in her third trimester, but they were never concerned enough to order another ultrasound for her.....so now I'm kinda worried...what does that even mean "measuring small"? Like, could something be wrong with my baby?
@scifichick09 I've been told if baby slows down in growth towards the end, it could mean the placenta isn't doing a great job of nourishing the baby anymore and induction may be recommended, depending how far you are. Baby might be better fed on the outside at this point. So to me, I think your doctor just wants to be cautious and check.
Thanks, @freshbakedbrownies I know no one here can really give me a for sure answer, but that is definitely comforting to know. I appreciate you giving me your take!
@scifichick09 Especially since you've been trending small I wouldn't worry too much. Hoping your doctor is just being abundantly cautious
I've been measuring progressively smaller too. I didn't get the impression there was anything particularly wrong--though she did put us in for an ultrasound on the 31st (day after due date) and said baby is "feeling in the 5lb range" at 39 weeks.
@scifichick09 - Another possibility is the baby's position is causing the smaller measurements. I had been measuring ahead since the beginning. (I was sent for a growth scan at 28 weeks because I was so far ahead.) Then, at my last appointment, 34 weeks, the doctor told me I was right on schedule all of a sudden. He also warned that I could start to go the other way as the baby drops down further. FX that its just baby moving around a bit and nothing to be concerned about.
Haha Great news Gretchypoo! Pack that bag! I'm waiting now for my 36 week appointment now. We did the super fun swab last week so nothing to look forward to I guess. Inducing in 2.5 weeks!
Thanks for all the input! You guys have definitely helped put my mind at ease. Even when the doctor says not to worry, I still worry. So I really appreciate your input on this, it makes me feel much better.
I always measure behind but I have a ultrasound on Thursday as I have been 3 weeks behind for the last few appointments. In my case my OB isn't too concerned as I hid babies well but better safe than sorry.
The likeliness is that baby's position is why you are measuring small, sometimes baby tends to hid in your back or if your carrying low it will put the measurement off.
@scifichick09 I think everyone's said good stuff already I just wanted to say that the same thing happened to me , started measuring behind and my MW doesn't seem concerned.
Thank you all for the advice. I am going to let the doctor's office know by the phone I don't want the internal exam. The family doesn't want to increase the chances the baby is born this week and they think the internal might start labour. I am struggling with anxiety and uncertainty so I am feeling somewhat less strong than usual.
The family is also my family and they don't usually mistrust doctors but seem to be extra nervous now. I trust him for the most part. I had difficulty accepting the induction for my last delivery and although he had said he would break my water eventually he actually broke it without warning that it was time. Not his fault, it was just my emotional state at the time made everything a big deal.
@scifichick09 I was told I was measuring large and had to get a growth ultrasound. He was measuring larger than what the bump said was average for the week, but still within the average range. Doc wasn't worried one bit. I figured it was my spare tire that I was working on when I got pregnant. Lol
My fluid check today went well! Of the two measurements (amniotic fluid index and deepest vertical pocket), I barely passed one and barely failed the other. My MW consulted with one of the OBs in the practice and they decided to just not worry about it at this point, which is not what I expected but welcome news. My MW does want me to do another growth US at next week's appointment since I'm still measuring 4 cm ahead, but since he's been consistently 76th percentile on those I expect he will be around there again and everything will probably be okay. Thanks so much to all of you who sent kind words when I was worrying so much.
@scifichick09 I hope your scan goes similarly and all is well! So many factors can affect these measurements but it can be so scary when you don't know quite what's going on.
@scifichick09 I'm late, and everyone has already said the same thing, but I started measuring small 3 visits ago (I'm weekly now so the last 3 weeks) but last time she finally told me it's more than likely due to how low the baby is. She hasn't had any big concern so far, but tells me I'm measuring "ok" but small.
@blush64 why is the family freaking out so much about this week? What if the baby just comes anyway? Skipping an appointment is weird just request they don't do a cervix check.
@PerraSucia It is an odd request. I thought it was a joke at first but she meant it. She started her leave 2 weeks ago but didn't get enough done to prepare so she wanted to use this week to finish and relax before the baby is born. (That's the mom) The father is just excited/scared so while he can't wait he is also nervous that this is it.
In addition to the parents my mom has been giving her very strong opinions. She is obsessed with baby size and is hoping that this baby will somehow get much larger than they estimate if she is born a week later.
Uncomfortable as it will make me I am just going to fight the uneasiness and decline the internal.
Ugh @blush64 that sucks. I get you wanting to follow their wishes but at the same time... Babies come when they're ready so even declining doesn't mean it won't happen sooner!!
Also it kind of makes me mad for you. What you're doing is SOOOO AMAZING and she should have her act together right now. She doesn't even have the excuse the rest of us do which is being too pregnant!!
Yeah, they definitely need to be taking pressure OFF of you and not piling more on, @blush64 Also as long as the baby is healthy they should just be thankful and STFU regardless of size or what day she's born. Seriously.
It is fairly common to measure behind once baby drops. Typically as long as belly is growing and not falling farther behind they watch, but if things change then US to check fluids/growth. I measured behind for quite a while towards the end of this pregnancy, but had normal fluid levels. Did end up with a smaller then average baby, but that wasn't a surprise.
Little miss E had a pseudo check-up today. Took her into my office for a weight check. She had some higher then wanted weight loss until my milk came in, but gained 6oz in one day after it came in. Just checked back in today to see if she was still gaining well and happy to see she was above her birth weight. Now just need to keep her away from the older ones at home with fevers.
Just had my 37 week appointment and my cervix is softening but not dilated yet. And my doc says - don't take this the wrong way, but your pelvis is more than adequately sized for a vaginal delivery. That, combined with the fact that the cervical check didn't hurt in the least, like not even uncomfortable, when lots of people say it is super painful, makes me think I've been walking around my whole life with a giant vagina and I had no idea???
@MissMerciBeaucoup I've never heard what you were told, but after delivering our daughter, as I was getting cleaned up, I heard the Dr and nurses talking and they said something about a "recount" the Dr said "how many" and someone said "one." Then the Dr started looking around in my vagina, I of course asked what was happening and here they lost a swab. I still think about that and wonder what kind of cave they were digging into, and how they "lost" a swab in my vagina. It was the most self conscious I've ever been in my life thinking about how they lost a big swab up there.
37 week appt today. BP dropped from my obnoxious 147/101 last week to 120/92. They made me just hang out and find a zen to drop the bottom number below 90 before letting me leave. My bloodwork still all looks normal, so just hoping and praying the baby comes before this gets any worse. 1 cm dilated so making progress!
ETA: There were no comments made about the size of my hooha.
Re: Appointments: Week of January 23
1. Baby is head down! We are bad at body part identification.
2. GBS negative! I was positive with my youngest.
3. Baby is measuring on the small side of average, which is how we grow our babies. Doctor thought he might be big at last appt.
I go back next week, nothing unusual
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
Married: October, 19, 2015
EDD 2/22/17
EDD 3/8/20
EDD 11/24/23
(Formerly Marriedhamstermom Feb ‘17)
If there is a legitimate reason to distrust your OB, then you should consider switching providers to someone you can trust.
If they just have a feeling or a general distrust of doctors, you should make your own decision. Do you trust your OB? Do you feel comfortable refusing an internal exam? Do you want the exam for any reason? Can you have a conversation with your OB and ask general consent questions? IE: why are we doing this exam? What are the risks/ benefits? What happens if I don't get this exam?
You can share concerns that others have had a membrane sweep without consent. You can say "I do not give my consent for a membrane sweep at this time."
ME: 25, DH: 27
TTC #1 since 09/2015
Miscarriage @ 10 wks 02/28/2016
BFP 05/28/2016!
ME: 25, DH: 27
TTC #1 since 09/2015
Miscarriage @ 10 wks 02/28/2016
BFP 05/28/2016!
Hoping your doctor is just being abundantly cautious
I've been measuring progressively smaller too. I didn't get the impression there was anything particularly wrong--though she did put us in for an ultrasound on the 31st (day after due date) and said baby is "feeling in the 5lb range" at 39 weeks.
ME: 25, DH: 27
TTC #1 since 09/2015
Miscarriage @ 10 wks 02/28/2016
BFP 05/28/2016!
I always measure behind but I have a ultrasound on Thursday as I have been 3 weeks behind for the last few appointments. In my case my OB isn't too concerned as I hid babies well but better safe than sorry.
The likeliness is that baby's position is why you are measuring small, sometimes baby tends to hid in your back or if your carrying low it will put the measurement off.
The family is also my family and they don't usually mistrust doctors but seem to be extra nervous now. I trust him for the most part. I had difficulty accepting the induction for my last delivery and although he had said he would break my water eventually he actually broke it without warning that it was time. Not his fault, it was just my emotional state at the time made everything a big deal.
ME: 25, DH: 27
TTC #1 since 09/2015
Miscarriage @ 10 wks 02/28/2016
BFP 05/28/2016!
@scifichick09 I hope your scan goes similarly and all is well! So many factors can affect these measurements but it can be so scary when you don't know quite what's going on.
In addition to the parents my mom has been giving her very strong opinions. She is obsessed with baby size and is hoping that this baby will somehow get much larger than they estimate if she is born a week later.
Uncomfortable as it will make me I am just going to fight the uneasiness and decline the internal.
Also as long as the baby is healthy they should just be thankful and STFU regardless of size or what day she's born. Seriously.
Little miss E had a pseudo check-up today. Took her into my office for a weight check. She had some higher then wanted weight loss until my milk came in, but gained 6oz in one day after it came in. Just checked back in today to see if she was still gaining well and happy to see she was above her birth weight. Now just need to keep her away from the older ones at home with fevers.
ETA: There were no comments made about the size of my hooha.