My cervix is closed up like Fort Knox!!!!

I went for my 37 week appointment yesterday. I'm not dilated at all. In fact, I had to get an ultrasound to confirm the baby was still head down (which he is, thankfully). I've been having contractions on and off, my pelvis is stretching like a mofo and OH THE PRESSURE! I'm just so sad that I'm in all this pain and uncomfortable and then, BAM... nothing. Now I know we women can go from 0 to 3 in just moments but still, when you're getting checked weekly and nothing is happening, it's discouraging.

This is my third child, so I honestly thought with all that I'm going thru, I'd at least be a 1/2 a centimeter. I know I won't be pregnant forever but the last weeks are the worst!

Sorry ladies.... just needed to get that off my chest.

P.S. Last night before bed I took a SIP of lemonade and it turned into a marathon to the bathroom all night. I want my son to cook until he's "done" but when do we as moms get a break? Yeah Yeah Yeah, when the baby is in our arms, well I'm selfish and want it NOW!

I totally understand what you're going through! With my first child, I walked around dilated to 3 cm for a couple weeks. My second child, I was closed up tight right until my scheduled c-section (at 39 weeks).

At 37 weeks, you are officially full-term. Maybe your body is cleaning house in preparation :) However, that's what I thought at 38 weeks and it turned out to be nothing. :(

Your post cracked me up but at the same time I was sitting here nodding right along with you! I'm sending thoughts of labor your way!

I know just how you feel!  I was 10 days overdue with Julia; and let me tell you.......as much as I loved having her in and safe and comfy; I wanted to finally meet her!!   And, I think you get that break when they're off to college-  LOL.  

Thinking of you and hope to hear "movement" news soon!  I guess they all have a mind of their own.  Maybe he just doesn't want to come out.  Just taking his time!

Original Post by flgirl:

I went for my 37 week appointment yesterday. I'm not dilated at all. In fact, I had to get an ultrasound to confirm the baby was still head down (which he is, thankfully). I've been having contractions on and off, my pelvis is stretching like a mofo and OH THE PRESSURE! I'm just so sad that I'm in all this pain and uncomfortable and then, BAM... nothing. Now I know we women can go from 0 to 3 in just moments but still, when you're getting checked weekly and nothing is happening, it's discouraging.

This is my third child, so I honestly thought with all that I'm going thru, I'd at least be a 1/2 a centimeter. I know I won't be pregnant forever but the last weeks are the worst!

Sorry ladies.... just needed to get that off my chest.

P.S. Last night before bed I took a SIP of lemonade and it turned into a marathon to the bathroom all night. I want my son to cook until he's "done" but when do we as moms get a break? Yeah Yeah Yeah, when the baby is in our arms, well I'm selfish and want it NOW!

Actually that is not abnormal with the third child.  I have seen (many a time) in the last 10 years of delivering babies a third time mom go from closed to baby out in two hours flat.  Don't despair, you are not even term yet.

Original Post by bier:

At 37 weeks, you are officially full-term. Maybe your body is cleaning house in preparation :) However, that's what I thought at 38 weeks and it turned out to be nothing. :(

 Actually Pediatricians consider full term to be 37 weeks but Obstetricians don't consider you full term to 38wks and we are now shifting to 39wks as full term.  That is why your C/S was scheduled for 39wks.

with my 3rd i was experiencing no real labour at my 38 week appt but my doc checked me anyway.  I was 3 cm's.  I talked with doc and she did amembrane sweep at 10 am.  labour started that afternoon at 315 pm and she was born at 545 the same afternoon.

Its the only labour of mine that I swore like a truck driver thru!!!

Your comments are the only thing making me smile today! Thanks so much gals!

Spukine1, yours is the story I'm shooting for! Was the membrane sweep your idea or hers? My doctor would take some convincing I think....

We decided together as we knew she was over 7 pds at that point.  I was in the high risk clinic and the docs were very supportive of the decisions we were making.  Also with my 2nd I walked around for 2 weeks at 3 cms with constant contractions.  with her the day before my 40 week the docs broke my water and she was born 5 hrs later.

So with my 3rd we had decided ahead of time if I was dilaited at 38 weeks then they would try a couple of tricks to see if labour commenced on its own and if it didnt then they would break my water at 39 weeks.

Ive always been lucky during labour and delivery for very little in fact next to no intervention and medications at all.  And my labours have all been short

I'm not pregnant, but my big sister is. And if it makes you feel any better, she currently has a cerclage (which she is getting removed tomorrow!) to prevent labor because she has a weakened/incompetant cervix. She was 4-5 cm dilated at 20 weeks. And now she's worried that once she gets the cerclage removed, she won't dilate at all and he won't want to come out! :) 

Hang in there! It will all be okay and when you finally have your baby, it will be totally worth it (just like for my big sis!) And I'm sure he (or she) will be beautiful. :)  

I totally understand that.  I wasn't dialated AT ALL until a week after my due date.  I was induced after that and it turned out that her head was exceptionally large and that was preventing her from pushing on the cervix and helping it to open up.  C-section.. hooray...

Anyway, I've read that it doesn't matter how dilated you are- it doesn't affect when you will go into labor (early or late) if you're a 0 or a 3 or 5 by your due date.

I had my 38 week appointment yesterday. My cervix has softened up a great deal and the baby is dropping! No dilation but I'll take it. Time to walk walk walk, and other activities, to help this along!

Due to your lack of posting, I was starting to wonder if you had a baby! I've heard that there is something in semen that causes your cervix to dilate. Just sayin'...

ya the prostaglandins in semen are a natural cervical softener! I plan on using that when I'm closer to my due date! Strictly for the sake of moving things along, of course!

Hee Hee... I think that's what got me to this "softened stage" already.