WARNING: This is a post that only interests women. If you don’t fall into that category, you may stop reading now. 🙂
I walked away from my appointment last week discouraged. At 36 weeks, I am *usually* dilated to a 1. So, the report that I wasn’t dilated at all and baby was definitely NOT head down was not what what I wanted to hear.
This week, I walked into my OB’s office with very little optimism that anything had changed. While I was still feeling strong contractions off and on, they were not nearly the frequency they had been the week before when they had apparently done nothing to progress me. Imagine my surprise when she announced I was a good 2 and baby was head down!
Just to let you know how very momentous this is…
The last two babies have not been head down on their own. Both Emily and Micah had to be turned several times. Emily even had to be turned during active labor. Micah was turned and then pitocin started to induce the labor that did not seem to be anywhere in sight.
I had begun to believe my body could no longer figure out labor. I did not think it was possible for my babies to ever be head down on their own. But God is bigger than that!
In case you are curious as to where this dilation business puts me in relation to my other pregnancies and the beginning of the labor process, read on!
Keep in mind, I always go on or near my due date, unless induced…
#1 and #2–I was a 1 at the onset of labor- #2 was induced at 38.5 wks.
#3–I was a 2 at the onset of labor.
#4–I was a 3 at the onset of active labor (I labored for a good week with him before anything substantial started…he was my easiest birth)
#5–I was a 2-3 when I arrived at the hospital and baby was breech.
#6–I was a 1 with a baby who refused to stay head down and a uterus that refused to contract. I was induced at 41 weeks.
Last week, I began to wonder if my life would just be easier if I scheduled a c-section. As difficult as recovery was last time, I didn’t think I could go through the emotional stress of a 17 hour labor that looked to be perfect until the end. Micah never descended and after hours and hours and hours of pushing, a c-section was called and our little New Year’s baby was born.
There were never any real good answers as to why I could not birth my 10 pound, 6 ounce chunky monkey (I had birthed 10 pounders before), so I was left wondering if my diastasis had created this issue. After talking with my OB and my chiropractor, I realize that while the diastasis creates tons of room for baby to move around, there is really no reason why baby wouldn’t be able to end up head down.
I’ve also learned that with the diastasis as severe as it is, it would be best for me to labor in a more reclined position. So, that is what we are looking at as I face down the next 2½ weeks.
I can hardly believe we are so close to Baby Day! Baby #7 will soon be more than a black and white sonogram picture! He or she will be in my arms! I can’t wait!
Tracy @ Hall of Fame Moms says
Congrats! you’re almost at the finish line 😉 Will be praying for a healthy- safe delivery for you and baby!
Celee says
So excited for you! I’ve been induced at 38 weeks with all of mine, but am thinking I’m going to wait it out this time. I hope I don’t have to wait too long! I know he’ll be big, but I’d love to go into labor on my own.
Celee
Amy says
There definitely is a difference between the thrill of labor starting on its own and being induced. 🙂
Christine says
I am so thrilled to hear that your baby is head down. I know what a sigh of relief that can be! My first three babies all settled head down, rather early, but my challenge was with my fourth blessing. She was head down at 30 weeks, then went into the transverse position, which absolutely cannot be delivered the traditional way. I was very upset as I was planning my second homebirth. I went to a Webster certified chiropractor, and after one or two visits, the baby turned into an optimal position. I went to my midwife around 35 weeks and she told me that baby was vertex. I was thrilled, but scared that baby would flip again. My midwife said that she doubted it in this case because baby was so so so deep in my pelvis. (It would have been nearly impossible for the little acrobat to flip when she was descended that low.) I tried to maintain proper positions of sitting, etc.. My midwife (who has had 9 children herself) said that the uterus gets a little more slack with each pregnancy, which is why after more pregnancies there is a tendency for a baby to get mal-positioned. With baby #4, I never had a cervical check until I was in labor (which happened very rapidly) and I was 8.5 with a bulging bag of waters. I was tempted to find out earlier, but am very happy that I waited. (With baby #3 I was quite frustrated with how long it took for cervical progress.)Spinningbabies.com had some helpful information about mal-positioned babies. Praying that your sweet baby stays vertex and for a blessed labor and delivery for you! Blessings!
Deedee says
It’s getting sooo exciting now! At least they are willing to turn you. They refuse to do that in England so my #1 was c-section because he was big and breech – undiagnosed till they were about to induce me! #2 was moving around alot and I remember one very looooong night watching him struggle to turn. At one point my tummy was stretched out sideways as he flipped over! I simply prayed that if he was going the wrong way God would stop him and if it was the right way God would help him get there quicker!! LOL! Thankfully a scan two weeks later showed him head down and firmly in place without enough room to turn again. Praise the Lord! I’m praying your little one stays head down for you. Thanks for keeping us posted.
Allison says
We’ll keep praying. What a beautiful baby! I do think the black and white pix just don’t do the baby justice. LOL! Can’t wait for the color shots! 🙂 God’s blessings to you in the next couple of weeks.
In Him,
Allison
a prayer warrior Sister says
I pray for you every day – but last week after your disheartening Dr. appointment I have gone the praying specifically for a very easy vaginal birth. I have prayed for others in this way and they have had a very easy vaginal birth and I am sure you will also. Please dont be discouraged God is with you and will bring this to pass. Just hang on and get ready for the birthing of your new miracle. Love and prayers R
Shawnee says
So glad things are looking great for your new little one. Have fun getting ready for your new arrival!!
Blessings,
Shawnee
Kim says
Have you asked the chiropractor if your hips are aligned? I have had a hard time going into labor my last three times. I am also taking stuff to help my pituatary and adrenal glands. My body did not want to go into labor. I have a midwife and she is getting ready to deliver my sixth one at home. best of luck
Kimberly @ Raising Olives says
It is getting close. Praying for a safe labor and delivery for you and little one!
abba12 says
This part sounds way beyond me right now! I’m just adjusting to being at 16 weeks (and still sick, help?) and hearing the babys heartbeat last night.
Amy says
How did I miss you were pregnant!?! Yay! Congrats! Most of my pregnancies I have been sick until about 20 wks, so I’m afraid I’m not the most encouraging in that realm, other than to say, at least for me, it did get better and I did eventually feel normal. Do whatever you can to streamline your life…paper plates, take-out when you can afford it, eat what sounds good, have a friend over to distract you…etc. {{HUGS}} Wish I give you one in real life!
Mama Mirage says
Congratulations abba12! 🙂 I have been dangerously sick with both my girls. Eat lots of protein, don’t eat too much starches or sweets, and try Mommy’s Bliss brand Morning Sickness Magic supplement- should be able to find it at your local healthfood store or order online. It was all I could keep down pill-wise for the first 20 weeks this time so I was thankful it had folic acid in it since I wasn’t getting a prenatal to stay down. It works better and better the longer you’re on it. I noticed a huge improvement by 3 weeks on it. Oh and saltines on an empty stomach or sucking lemon candies are popular fixes but they are actually worse for you in the long run because they spike your blood sugar which makes alot of women get really pukey. So it might work while you’re eating it but 10 minutes later you’ll feel worse. Try almonds- raw almonds. Every time you eat anything starchy or sugary eat an equal amount of almonds. Raw almonds keep your blood sugar from spiking up as much when eaten with sugars and starches which therefore lowers the chance of pukey feeling afterward. Hope you feel better soon!
abba12 says
I know eating protien would help a lot, but unfortunately, that’s exactly what I can’t manage. I have never been so aware of the types of energies in my food. Sugars go down without a problem, I lived off fruit and sweet cookies for the first week or so. Also orange juice, and most liquids, except milk, are fine. Carbs/Starches I can manage on good days, or at good times, in small amounts. Protiens though? I’ve basically been a vegetarian since I got sick with the exception of the occasional tin of tuna which I could force down by not chewing, simply swallowing with water.
Mommys bliss isn’t available in Australia but I’ve tried similar things without much success. My midwife/GP insists I use high doses of ginger, and just dosen’t seem to want to accept that ginger isnt helping me in any way. Also tried 2 different forms of the B vitamins without success.
I wonder if one of you ladies have tried what I’m using, or have the knowlege to let me know it’s relativly safe (we are at a benefits outweigh the potential risks situation now, I know it’s not proven safe, but very few drugs are in pregnancy, and at this point it’s probably safer than not eating.)
I’ve given in, after 16 weeks and losing 15 pounds since the begining I have started on some pills to help with it. They work a treat, I actually ate meat AND vegetables last night! But because my midwife/GP is against me taking anything that isn’t natural I am going off my own research. She hasn’t said it is outright dangerous, but she won’t confirm the safety of anything that isn’t a vitamin or otherwise natural (we are trying to homebirth and shes our only choice, we either deal with her or go unassisted, we haven’t got much say in the matter, homebirth is much harder in australia, but the hospitals are, in some cases, even worse than yours. Our choice in local hospitals are some of the worst in the state. There’s been cases of women left to miscarry in the ER bathrooms at one of them).
I know what the popular ones are, Zofram especially, but they need a script and I won’t recieve one from my midwife/GP. I did try maxalon/reglan when given a script by the hospital, but had a very severe reaction that I am still coping with. Now I am using an over the counter travel sickness pill that is working amazingly.
http://www.keypharm.com.au/products/travacalm_original.php – this is the pill
One of the ingredients is a B and another is a C on the FDA ratings thing, but the one with a C only seems to be first trimester concerns. In Australia we seem to have given it a B2. I realise no one here are doctors, but thought maybe someone has taken a similar thing with corresponding active ingredients and can confirm it’s not likely to hurt baby.
Amy says
I took Zofran w/ my 3rd child. It was not a miracle drug for me, but did allow me to sit upright. I’m not familiar w/ the one you linked to. With this baby, I did take a Unisom at night and a B vit in the morning w/ some result. My OB just confirmed this past week that Unisom has been an old morning sickness standby for ages.
Christine says
Praise the Lord for this precious baby! And for the head down position to encourage you this week!
Sally says
Wow! That’s really great to hear! God is so good. With my most recent delivery, I walked into the hospital after 6 hours of active labor at home and I was dialated to 8CM!!! Bad news was, I STAYED at 8CM for the next 6 AFTER arriving at the hospital…not fun! But, we got our little man shortly thereafter. I was so blessed to be able to VBAC…praise the Lord!
Keep the updates coming~I love reading them! 🙂
Amy says
I’ve only walked into the hospital that far along once…would LOVE to have THAT happen again! (I was only there 3 hrs before having him too!)
Natasha Miller says
Praying all goes well with your labor and that your little one arrives safe and healthy in God’s due time.
Mama Mirage says
Yay! So close now… I don’t dialate until I’m in labor. I am like a 1 all the time since birthing my first, even when not pregnant. With my first it was hard to remember not to be discouraged no matter what: dialation prior to labor doesn’t matter anyways. A woman can be in labor and not dialated yet, or be dialated to a 4 and not in labor for another 2 weeks, or dialate slowly in labor, or go from 0-10 in 10 minutes flat. After not being dialated until active labor for all my babies so far though it doesn’t bother me anymore. It’s just how my body is and that’s fine.
I hope your labor is fast and smooth! 🙂 And hooray for baby turning too! I remember with my son I was so worried he would stay transverse but he turned at about 39 weeks. I sat open legged on my glider ottoman and rocked side to side on it while crocheting for hours and that’s the night he turned. I was prepared to push him out anyway if he were breech but sideways, yeah not so much! Lol! I know someone whose baby turned while she was in labor. And my MIL was born frank-breech (bottom first). OUCH! I know it’s such a relief when they confirm that baby is head down and you can check one more thing off the worry list- baby head down, CHECK! 🙂
Amy says
I’m still a wee bit cautious, though, b/c I’ve had babies turn back once head down. Closer to time, I’ll head to the chiro for some good old Webster just to “make sure.” 😉
And I know all too well about dilation meaning nothing! I’ve had people tell me I’ll go early b/c of how things are going right now…I’ve never gone early, so I highly doubt this is any indication of such a thing.
Hope all is going well with you! 🙂
Mama Mirage says
Well maybe they’ll be right and you will go early. 🙂 That would be nice. I hope you do! Sheesh I hope *I* do too… I’m getting pretty tired of needing a forklift to get in and out of bed. 😉
Rachel says
Actually, I was dilated to 6 when my midwife and I gave up on my body getting a CLUE and induced me.
Amy says
Eek! A 6?! Now, that is something else! Did things go fairly quickly from there?
Rachel says
8 hours from the application of castor oil. But I’m told that’s pretty quick for a first-timer, and it was much easier than I expected. Also, ds was pretty big.
Miranda says
Congrats! I enjoy reading your blog, though Im not sure I’ve commented before. I am only 10 weeks along with my #4 and I already can’t wait to hold him or her! But I am going to relish every second of this pregnancy even though it’s so hard to wait to have him/her in my arms! Hope you are able to enjoy these last few weeks!
Cherry says
We still think of your family and pray for you since little Emily went to live at Jesus’ side. My son is the one who wrote “Emily’s Ascent” the day after she left. I will never forget that day, as he was only ten years old and the Lord had impressed that piano piece on his heart. I still listen to it now and again and it always causes a mental visual of her being lifted melodically and tenderly into the arms of Christ.
Thank you for sharing your heart!
Amy says
Cherry,
I actually just listened to it again the other day. What a precious heart he has to do something like that for a family he didn’t even know.
Rachel says
Yay for progress!
I’m only a mom of 1.5 at this point, but with ds I had some concerns based on family history that he would be breach. While that turned out not to be an issue, my midwife strongly recommended doing whatever I could manage resembling push-ups as the pregnancy progressed to encourage ds to be in the correct direction. You’ve probably heard that before and obviously have other stuff going on in that department, but I thought it couldn’t hurt to pipe up.
Here’s to an easy labor in the near future!
MahinaMK says
That is great, Mrs. Roberts! Hoping the labor and the rest of your pregnancy goes well. 🙂