Seeking Moms and Doctors

A.,
I was 3cm dialated 75% effaced from before Last Thanksgiving and my doctor told me my membranes were already gone and said I wouldn't make it to Thanksgiving. Well I was induced at 41wks on 12-12-06 so don't get your hopes up. Sorry to say they come when they want to. My first daughter was a month early so to go a week late I was pretty upset also but just try to get some rest because you will need it when you have that little bundle. My 4 month old is still waking every 3-4 hrs to nurse so I would love a good night sleep right about now.

Good luck,
K.

Let your baby come when it is ready. You can walk around at 1.5 for weeks.

There is no accurate predicter for when labor will start except for labor starting!

Do not induce unless one of you is showing distress. You don't want to be recovering from a c-section and caring for 2 children. Tell them to stop with the vaginal exams! Totally unecessary.

Hi A.,

At my last checkup before I was due (was on a Wednesday), my doctor was checking to see how much I was dilated. I was about 2.5 cm, and then she told me that she was able to feel my membranes and that they were bulging. I don't remember the exact wording she used to explain, but I think it was what your doctor meant by "swollen membranes." She explained that she could "strip the membranes" for me right then and there, (she explained this was not breaking the water, rather, just the membranes, whatever that meant!) which would jump start my body going into labor sooner, or just play it by ear. She said she wouldn't be surprised if I lasted past that weekend. Well, I decided to play it by ear and she was right. I went into labor about 2.5 days later, around 5:30 am Saturday morning. Good luck!! Very exciting!

Not sure. And I too don't see why he would lie. Call the office and ask them. :) Congrats and good luck.

I don't see why the doctor would be lying?? I don't know what "swollen membranes" refers to--maybe that you are effaced? It's been a few years, so my recollection of terms is fuzzy!

However, I was 1.5cm dilated for five weeks. I was also 13 days late. Sounds like you're a little worried. Wish you lots of support for the big day. Best wishes!

I am not sure what he means by swollen membranes, but I have found with my sons that my OB seemed to know when I would deliver. Both times, he told me "before the weekend is over I would deliver", and he was right. Of course, no one knows for sure when the little ones will make their debute, but I believe some experienced OB's can tell. Good luck, and I wish you a smooth, quick, healthy delivery.

I agree with the other moms/posters - just stop worrying about it - your baby will come when it's ready. Vaginal exams won't make it come any faster and will probably just cause you anxiety and frustration - not to mention they may expose you to potential infection (and they're not comfortable!). You don't want to be induced, believe me. Your labor will be much more comfortable and faster without that, plus you'll have less chance for complications without being induced.

Just sit tight, enjoy the last few weeks of baby kicks, get out for a walk every day. Moving around will help the baby come. Having sex is supposed to help too, though I think I just read recently that there was no statistical data to support this - still, never hurts :P

Good luck!

A.:

I am not a dr. but would expect that "swollen membranes" is just that.. swelling of the membranes.

So much changes with ones body that it is not that unusual for the thoughts to be plan a but to change as the body changes... relax, enjoy the sun and the weekend... You will deliver when your body says it is time.

P., RLC, IBCLC
Pres. Lactation Support Group, Inc
www.lactationsupportgroup.com