39 Weeks!

I went into this week's appointment saying I would be shocked if I had not progressed beyond 1 cm and 50%. I worked on Friday night and with every step I took I felt like the baby was going to fall out! I had so much pressure and was contracting every 5-10 minutes. I don't think I have ever been so uncomfortable! I got home Sat morning, took a shower and decided to lay down for a while. If the contractions didn't stop, I was planning on making the trip to triage. When I woke up around noon, I was still contracting, but nothing painful and they were very irregular. I decided to wait until my appointment on Monday to see if anything had changed. Monday rolled around and what do you know...I am STILL ONLY 1 cm!! Before the midwife did my cervical check, she measured my belly. She was somewhat concerned, because each week I have measured right on my gestation or within a week. At my 38 week appointment last week I measured right on at 38 weeks. On Monday at my 39 week appointment, I am suddenly measuring 35 weeks. She checked me twice to be sure she measured right, and sure enough 35 weeks. She said it could be because the baby has descended into my pelvis, but when she did my cervical check, she said the baby was not as low as she had expected it to be. She was concerned because it was a big enough drop in measurement, so she scheduled me for an ultrasound on Tuesday. I asked why I would all of a sudden be measuring four weeks behind, and she said it could be due to several factors: size of the baby, amniotic fluid level, and position of the baby. As it turns out, the ultrasound showed that the baby was below average for weight (estimated 6 lb 13 oz- usually estimates on the high side, so probably more like 6.5 lbs) and my fluid level was below average as well (8). Neither were in the 'danger zone,' but these results explain why I am suddenly measuring small. I was surprised that in a matter of six days, so much had changed. The ultrasound tech said that fluid levels can change overnight...well that explains a lot. The midwife wants to see me again on Friday, if my fluid level continues to drop, I think we are looking at an induction by the end of the week. I am not hoping for this, however I just want what's best for the baby! While I am uncomfortable, I can certainly hold off another week or two AS LONG as my baby is living in a safe environment!

I have been instructed to drink tons and tons of water. I am so sick of going to the bathroom, that I am ready for a catheter! I never ever thought I would say such a thing! So, in my spare time between now and Friday, I will be drinking water, peeing, cleaning, peeing, getting a pedicure, peeing, napping, peeing, and making sure my bags are packed and ready to go in case they decide this baby is coming this weekend!