This post will have a lot of whining in it that may get lots of eye-rolls, so excuse me for that.

So I had my almost 39 weeks appt today. First let me say, there are several reasons I am hoping to not go late and wanting to go a bit early. One, both my mom and my doula will be out of town around the 9th of June. My mom will be back the10th--my original due date, and the doula won't be back for a while. I meet with the back-up which I am sure I will like sometime later this week. Two, I am very uncomfy. It is not my back but my belly, and my joints in my hands hurt a lot. You who have been there before get it.

The good news: his heartbeat is good in the 40's and he has good fluid around him. And I am very grateful for that. And the one fun thing during the appt was seeing his goods. Definitely a boy there, and one dad will be proud of, lmao

The rest: So first my blood pressure was high at 130/80. Thankfully, when they rechecked it before I left it was normal at 110/70. But that freaked me out. Then I ask for a check and was REALLY excited hoping I was effaced or dilated. Well, she couldn't even reach my cervix it is still so high. Then, she couldn't really feel his head down there (and neither could I ) so I had to have an ultrasound. Turns out, his head is down but he is not engaged at all--his head is not down in my pelvis at all I was hoping this wouldn't be the case, especially since my mom needed c-sections since even with pitocin she never progressed past 1.5 cm after 12 hours post water breakage. I just felt so bummed.

AND, she estimated his weight to be 7.5 lbs. Babies grow what, 1/2 lb a week? And then the midwife mentioned getting a growth ultrasound which I didn't push b/c then I would risk out of the birth center. I KNOW he sometimes gets his head down there, but now that I think of it I have not felt that in four days or so. He just squirms everywhere else and stretches my sides. I just feel so deflated. My doula says I could still start labor anytime still, but now I just want to be on my hands and knees all the time and doing everything else possible to get things moving (in that position, if you catch my drift).

And my last whine--the internal check hurt! Not really bad or anything, but I still feel like a wimp. I don't get why it always stings even with lube. ***** great, I mean a baby has to come out of there you would think a few fingers would be nothing! Like, "Oh what, you checked I didn't feel a thing!" should have been my response. Instead I squirm. In fact, the only time I haven't squirmed a lot is when it was my RE--a man. I guess I am just a ho!

[xanada101]

Well Michelle, you may get a pleasant surprise. I mean there are several girls who have gone into labor when they were told they were high and closed.... that very day. As for the u/s's you know that they are unreliable at predicting the baby's weight. I mean I have seen them off by 2 lbs! I wish I could recommend something to help speed labor along, but everything that I have tried has failed. LOL Let's just hope the little squirt cooperates.

[MomtoCTSK]

I don't usually post just read, I used to be Mrs.K. when I was in TTC#1 and I always love your posts. I was high and closed and had my son two days after my cervical check, a week early too. And I have had my son and made it through twenty four hours of active labor, 12 I did without an epi and let me tell you the cervical checks were still one of the more terrible things that happened LOL My doctor had chubby hands and stubby arms too so don't feel like a whimp, they sure aren't fantastic and you are very sensitive and swollen down there at this point. GL and I hope you go into labor so you don't have to worry about your mom and doula missing it and I hope u don't mind I posted, ELVs

[courtneytcu98]

First off, I get that you want baby out. Like yesterday. The aches and pains are numerous and there is so much anticipation! It is soooooo disheartening to hear that no progress is being made. . . I sat at 1cm (if being generous) and very posterior for 4 weeks. My doctor and I joked that my cervix was about a couple of inches south of my tonsils and the internals were super-uncomfortable. Not unbearable, but definitely some pain involved. You are not being a whiner, you are being a full-term pregnant woman. . .Trust me. I am still thankful to move with ease after being pg. Hang in there, Michelle. One of my doctor's other favorite lines was that the 'members of the eternally pregnant club were still zero.' Hilarious.

[NortheastWifey]

You definitely don't sound like a whiner. I totally understand. But like everyone else said, you might have been where you were yesterday but today could be a whole other story. And as for Jack's weight - I wouldn't worry too much. My midwives don't even try to guess weight because they have said that even with an ultrasound the weight guess can be off by a good 2 pounds! One of my midwives said she used to work in a doctors office where the Dr would do c-sections if he thought the baby was more than 9 lbs. And she said they were almost always much smaller. I would have been so pissed if I had been one of those patients.

But hang in there, mamma! I don't know if this really helps at all, but have you tried raspberry leaf tea? "They" say it's good to help things along. I'm trying anything at this point.

[KCMomma]

Michelle, I agree with the others. I completely understand where you are coming from. Oh and I too am having the joint pains in my hands. Did the doc or midwife say anything about that? I just keep thinking about Lisa. Her doc told her the same thing and then that very night her water broke. I know it's easy for us to say, but hang in there girl. He's so close to coming out and meeting you!!!

[LindsLuvsSi]

I know how you feel Michelle about not wanting to be late and wanting your baby boy here. I too wasn't dilated, but this was at 41 weeks, so I know the disappointment feeling. The guessed Zane at 8lbs at 39 weeks or so, their guesses aren't 100% accurate, so don't worry! He'll be the perfect size no matter what. My lil advice is ty to enjoy your last few days of being prego with Jack inside. I soooo miss feeling him move and my big belly. Remember he'll come when he's ready and that will be the perfect time, cause everything happens for a reason. I know you don't want to be late, due to many reasons, been there done that but if that happens your mom and doula may be there! hang in there girlie!! not much longer~

[LisaD]

Well just like Gwen said, my Dr. told me that morning that I was so high she could hardly reach my cervix (and that hurt too, you aren't alone there!), and that I was only 1 cm. My water broke that night at 2am! He wasn't down in my pelvis either, he didn't really drop until I started pushing! I hope that you get him out soon, I can imagine that you are very uncomfortable.

Thanks ladies. I am feeling better about it and you all are right. I should enjoy these last days while they last! I have been having some gastro problems today so who knows? Although I won't believe anything now, cramps or not, until I am having contractions every 3 minutes!

Gwen, my midwife just nodded when I told her about my hands like that is to be expected. They feel better today though. It is different everyday for me.

[xanada101]

I have had gastro issues off and on Michelle. While I haven't had any hand pain, my jaw is killing me. My tmj joint hurts alot... especially when I eat. I've had the chriopractor put it back into place twice now only to have it pop right back out as soon as I leave. He said it's because our ligaments are loosening up to get ready for the baby.

[samspain]

I´ll send you my labour vibes!!, I was due the 10th April, my Mum was flying over from the 3rd to the 18th so I wanted an on time arrival. I went in for my 39 week check on the 2nd and was 0cm 0% and high and tilted away. They said nothing for 7-10 days, The next day i went to the airport to get my parents and "whoosh" broken waters!! I went to the hospital and was 3cm and her head was fully there and from that point the internals didnt hurt at all. She was born in 6 hours and 10 minutes pushing. Also I was told to expect a 9lb+ baby, she was a little diidy 6lb 3. It all went so much better and easier than I was expecting.

Good luck and get the sleep in now!!