Congratulations! And remember to breathe ;-)

I'd listen to your doctor -- She knows you and your medical circumstances better than anyone else. It really could be weeks. Or hours. In my case, I was 1cm dilated and 0% effaced 6 hours before giving birth to my second child.

Since this is your first, I'd try to relax, knowing that you'll probably have several hours of "Is this labor? I think it is. Maybe? No. Yes? Probably." easy stuff before your water breaks and you're too involved to drive yourself home or to the hospital.

Is this your first? if this is your first and you don't have gestational diabetes or preeclamsia I would say there is a good chance you will go another 2 weeks like this slowly progressing. It takes the body a long time to get ready for delivery when it is your first baby. 2nd and 3rd babies don't tend to take as long since the body has done it before. I would suggest staying active. The more active you are during pregnancy the easier the delivery will be for you. No one knows where and when your water will break so stay working if you can. who knows you may be grocery shopping when it happens but that doesn't mean you should leaving your home. Some people's water does not even break before going to the hospital so i would try not to consume all your time worrying about where you will be when it happens. Just be aware if you feel a lot of wetness or a slow trickle to have it checked out in the triage department to be sure it has not broken.

Then go ahead and give a speech before flying off to Alaska...

(Sorry - couldn't resist.)

hahahahahahah ROTFLMBO Sweeby!!!!!!!!!

Still hanging on? ....

What a christmas gift for the girls!!! and new sister :)

Oh doodle.....I have wanted to be a doula for such a long time. (mid wife assistant) I could be there rubbing your back.....I would dearly love to watch the birth of a baby. To be there when the first breath of life is taken!!!! What a miracle....That being said I might find out where the hospitals are on the route that you have to drive. That is if the dr. allows you to continue to work much longer. I wanted to just go to the hospital on my due date and wait in the parking lot!

Why don't you get a post office box so that we can all send you a gift or a gift card or something!

How exciting!

It really could go either way. You could walk around dilated like this for weeks, or she could be here tomorrow!

When I was 38 wks pregnant w/DD, I went to the OB for my weekly checkup and I was not dilated AT ALL and he said (and I quote) "not anytime soon."

I went into labor about 12 hours later! I woke up at 5 am with cramps---get this, I went and took my ART HISTORY FINAL EXAM---hahaha! Then the cramps started getting more intense and around 6 pm that evening my mom and I headed to the hospital. DD was born at 4:18 AM. :)

for the record--my water never broke on its own. I was almost fully dilated and the nurse had to reach up and manually break it.

GOOD LUCK! For your peace of mind, I hope Layla stays put for at least a little bit longer---just so you can get everything all ready! Looks like you might be having a CHRISTMAS BABY!

It's amazing isn't it? How different each birth is?

My water broke on my due date and I wasn't dilated at all. For over 20 hours, nothing. They wanted to give me a c-section. Then, finally, wham!

please keep us posted :) I've been watching this thread like a hawk!

Nothing new that I know of. I can't check myself to see if I'm dilated any further of course (and J is hardly qualified...lol) but no contractions or anything. My next appointment is the 16th so we will see what she says then.

If I have dialated more without water breaking or contractions they may want to induce....AAAAAHHHHHH! Hahahaha. The girls are getting really really excited because it's getting close. Plus J put the bassinet and swing together since it seems she's on her way so it's becoming "real" to the girls now. A BABY will be in that bed!!!!

A good friend of mine was in your same situation for 4 weeks. The baby had dropped so low that her pants wouldn't stay on and she couldn't sit down. LOL!

My advice.....let your body do it on its own. Induction can sometimes be harder contractions, but less productive and can frequently result in c-section. Walk around or even go bowling (that's what I did lol!). And if you're late......so what? They'll do a stress test to see if your body is handling everything okay. As long as your body isn't under any undue stress, there's nothing wrong with being late.

On my due date, I wasn't dialated at all. That was a Monday. In the following Friday I had a stress test and everything was fine. Went in for an exam the next Monday and I was only dialated to a 1. Even at 7 days late. The next day, I was to have a Cervadil (sp?) done that evening at 8 PM and then come back for induction the next morning. Instead, I started feeling contractions about 1 PM. By 3:30 PM I was in a hospital bed with them breaking my water. By 4:30 I had an epidural. By 7:00 PM, I was feeling like I had to push. And by 8:20 PM I was holding my perfect baby boy without being cut open. He was 7lbs. 3 oz and 19-1/2 inches long. They had told me that he was going to be 10 lbs. (yeah right......not even close). AND he was 8 days late! Which, BTW, is 10 whole months gestation. YIKES!

My friend has a nearly identical situation as Silversword. Instead of letting her go into labor by herself, they induced. She never dialated past a 2 and 36 hours later she consented to a c-section. I would be willing to bet that she could've avoided the c-section if they'd have let her walk around a bit or something. They neglected to tell her that even though her water had broke, her body was still producing amniotic fluid and the baby was not in any danger.

If you ahve an openminded doctor, ask him at your next appointment to show your hubby how to check you. It is very simple, and as long as DH hands are washed it is no worse than you having intercourse for him to check you. My DH was taught by our midwife how to check me, (hubby did fine and was actually right on target. but then again my DH also delivered our two, with the midwife standing by....

Another thing to discuss with your doc (and def discuss it before doing this) is that when you are close or past your due date and you want baby to come (but have no contractions) and you guys please dont think I am gross here!! is to sit in front of DH and have him stimulate your nipples with his hands..I know this sounds like doing the nasty or leading up to it but it isnt sexual in any way..it actually stimulates contractions and helps you get going...DH did this for me and within an hour I was in labor, when we started i wasnt dialated at all and was passed my due date..an hour later and wholllaaaa!!!
anyways ask your doc first before trying the stimulation thing....you would want to be certain that it is ok for baby to come right then..
so I hope I grossed everyone out enough for today~
good luck!

Having a foot massage can also start labor. Pregnant women aren't suppose to have them but in your case doodle I would get that baby daddy busy! The nipple thing is right on.....he is going to need another set of hands. LOL

I myself have been doing the nipple rubbing....hahahaha. We have been having alot of sex as well...don't know if that really works or not but it sure is fun so why not:)
The foot massage is a new one to me. I've never heard that one before. I might have to ge thim to try that out.

By the way, she has shifted for the FIRST time the entire pregnancy. She stayed in the same spot the whole time but her little butt-butt isn't where it's been any longer. My belly button points straight instead of way to the left. LOL. I guess she's engaging so I wonder if that means we are getting even closer.

Keep in mind that theres a full moon coming up in the next few days as well......

Nipple manipulation, ie pinching or rubbing, releases oxytocin, which is the hormone that causes a woman to "let down" her milk while nursing. Since nursing a baby also causes uterine contractions, it does help encourage the birth process. Its not just speculation or an old wives tale.

But, are you really sure you WANT to have an Xmas baby? Its great for the tax deduction but not so great for the busy time of year it is.

I was two centimeters dilated with my second one and my fourth one, for nearly two months before I had the child, so being partially dilated doesnt mean its going to happen soon.

By now, you must feel like a beached whale and just want to get it over with, and get on with it. Best wishes to you - I dont think there is a woman on here who has already had kids, who isnt remembering her own experience, after reading your post. This is one of those memories that you will recall in vivid detail, thirty years later. I am happy for you.

Despite all the sex and nipple rubbing there is no Layla after the weekend...hahahaha. No changes that I can tell. We have a DR. Appt. tomorrow so we will see what she says. I don't internet at the apartment so if I dissapear for awhile you know I have had the baby:)

Well you just better figure out a way to get pictures of Layla posted pronto or there will be a price to pay when you return!! :-)

We'll be thinking of you and sending hugs!!

UGH! No Layla yet. I am now at 3 centimeters but still no contractions. The Dr was concerned because I am swelling alot and my blood pressure was a little high. We had to buy an at home blood pressure kit and I have to take my BP five times a day and if I get a bad headache that won't go away, start seeing spots or wake up looking like the Michellin woman I have to go straight to the ER. HOORAY! LOL!

They stress you out more with all the precautions than anything else! If I didn't know my BP was high I would of never of worried about it and it probably would of lowered but now I'm all stressed over it so it's staying high....ironic huh?

Anyway, no action yet but I am READY!!!!

These things happen dearest. Growing a baby is hard. Layla is so comfy in there she doesn't want to come out and your body is saying enough already. Kind of like when they are in their 20's and you have plans for their room but they won't leave!

I bought relaxation tapes and would sit in a recliner with my eyes closed and go to a "special" place so that I could relax. I've been thinking about you doodle. I'll bet doodle jr. is going to be a sweetie pie. I second the motion for pictures....This is such a wonderful time for a woman....I used to point to my kid's belly buttons and tell the that that was where I had picked them from my baby garden. Miss those days!!!!!

Lying down will help alot. Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees. It really helps to relieve high blood pressure. And, if I remember correctly, the left side is the best one to lie on. Something about opening up your airways more so you get more oxygen. More oxygen relaxes you and the baby.

Don't rush her, though. You'll be much happier if you let her come when both she and your body are ready.

Once it's over, you'll miss it! Believe me! I loved being pregnant. I'd live to be pregnant again, but I'm not sure I want the kid that goes with it. LOL! Just kidding! But in all seriousness.......no matter how miserable you are, it will end at some point and you'll miss that baby moving around, kicking and hiccupping in there.

Any sign of Miss Layla yet???

We are all waiting and feeling a bit like our little niece is on her way! You are in my prayers doodle. I'm so happy for you!

I am stopping by the office to sign some papers so I'm posting a real fast update.

I have started having REAL contractions. Jonathan drove me here of course:) They arn't constant but they have started. I have lost the rest of my plug and I am starting to see a little blood in the mucous. (Sorry if there are any squimish readers)

From all I hear these are signs of impending labor! I really hope so. We have internet access at the house again (HOORAY) so I will be checking in now and again to update!

Woo Hoo!
Merry Christmas Doodle and Layla!

I was hoping that was the news!!! Congratulations! I know all of us who have gone through it will be keeping you in our thoughts.

Try not to clock anyone who tells you to "breathe" :)

ohhhh - I'm so excited for you all! We'll be waiting on pins and needles for your next update. Hugs!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She's not here today --
That sounds like a good sign to me...

No news is good news :)

FALSE ALARM!

ARGE!!! No Layla yet. I think the contractions I was experiencing may have been stresses induced and they didn't take:( I am walking around with one foot in the hospital and the other on a bannana peel. My nerves are SHOT! I would of rather of never of known I was dilated because I wouldn't be so uptight if I didn't know.

We do have internet as of tonight at the house. FINALLY! I will be able to update more often now. I'm hoping I don't have much longer.

Awww!! Maybe a New Years baby???? I found squatting to help... it couldn't hurt!

keep us updated!

Oh Doodle, it will happen soon. Just hang in there!

Oh well... Maybe it will help to remember that while every day you remain pregnant may be uncomfortable for you, it is really good for Layla...

But I know you can't wait to meet her!
(I was more than 2 1/2 weeks late with DS#1 and so stressed...)

I weas also more than 2 weeks late. and I had false contractions a week prior to actual labor. sounds so familiar. baby will come when it si time!!!!I'll think of you and yours!

BTW not to sound stupid but what kind of "plug" are you talking about?

I certainly do not want to be late...hahahaha. Oh god please no! I am looking at it from both sides. I am totally unconfortable and stressed but I know it's good for her to stay put as close to her due date as possible so I TRY (not so successfully) to complain too much:)

Finedreams-

The plug is actually the mucous plug that acts like a little gross gooey cork in the opening of your cervix. When you dialate to a certain point it drops out and totally freaks you out...lol. It looks like a yellow gelatin like clump that is sometimes tinged with blood. It can come out in one nice little clump or come out in pieces. It's one of the prettier side affects of pregnancy along with hemmorhoids and uncontrolable gas;)