Well, I still don't feel like much is going on, but after my appointment today there are some new stats at least. 80% effaced, 2 cm dilated, station -2, and lots of little contractions on the (appropriately reactive) NST. What's in there does not appear to be inappropriately large; best guess was 7 1/2 pounds. The hematocrit last week came back fine. The midwife offered to strip my membranes; I politely declined, but reserved the right to change my mind next appointment.
Midwife: Perhaps you'll go into labor this weekend. But make an appointment for Tuesday.
Doula: Sounds like you're close! I'll make sure to get plenty of sleep. You should too. And carbo-load!
Mother-in-law: It'll be this weekend. I'm sure of it.
Me checking at Jo's: gee, that's about where she was around her due date, and, um, TWO FULL WEEKS before, um. (Also, my mother-in-law spent like three weeks at 3 cm with her first.)
Phone call from my father-in-law 8 years ago: Hello? Hello? HELLO? Well, did you finish your thesis yet?
Phone call from my father-in-law today: Hello? HELLO?! What, no baby?
It means nothing. Nothing, I tell you. You could go for a walk after dinner tonight--3-4 miles sounds good--and go into full-blown labor an hour later. Or you could have your membranes stripped on Tuesday and see if that does anything.
Do you have any Gatorade on hand? Becaase it's really good for early labor at home. It also tastes amazing right after you've given birth. I can't recommend "Fierce Grape" flavor highly enough.
Posted by: Moxie | Friday, September 02, 2005 at 07:29 PM
I agree with Moxie--it doesn't mean a thing. Long walks and intercourse worked wonders for me (along with spoiled Indian takeout, but I'd suggest skipping that). All best wishes.
Posted by: Sally Bowles | Friday, September 02, 2005 at 09:06 PM
Ditto on the long walks. Best wishes to you three!
Posted by: Mommyprof | Friday, September 02, 2005 at 09:09 PM
Ah, you're past 40 weeks! Wow! Think labor thoughts! Dilate! Time to come out, baby!
Sex can start labor. Now, having tried sex to start labor at 41 weeks +, I know for a fact that you do *not* feel like sex now. But it's worth a try....
Posted by: bitchphd | Friday, September 02, 2005 at 11:22 PM
So, the sex thing. As far as I can tell, people think it might work because of the prostaglandins in semen. Now, I did a bunch of Googling a couple of weeks ago, and this is what I think I learned from it:
Even though prostaglandins are named after the prostate gland, 'cause they were first found in semen and the discoverer assumed they must be produced there, they're actually produced in the testes. Now, Beaker's peculiar anatomy means that while prostate products make it out, testicular ones don't. (Like, say, the sperm itself, hence surgical extraction, ICSI, etc.) So, hmmmm.
Moxie, I've got some Powerade in the car already. Perhaps tomorrow I'll try walking the mile to the nearest supermarket for yet more electrolyte-laden sugar water... or maybe I'll sit home and eat pasta and popsicles and sulk.
Posted by: Emma Jane | Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 12:01 AM
Just commenting to let you know that I'm here and checking in. Can't offer a smidgeon of suggestion about labor-triggering mechanisms, but think a walk sounds lovely. Carbo-loading sounds good, too. If it were me, I'd try to combine the two activities.
I think your father-in-law and my father must be related. Only difference? I STILL haven't finished my dissertation....
Best wishes, and promises of many mornings and evenings of feverish refreshing for the duration.
Posted by: Jody | Saturday, September 03, 2005 at 11:26 PM
I thought the other reason for the sex thing was that an orgasm (yours, of course) would help start contractions or some such, and that the prostaglandin thing had to do with softening (?) the cervix. But then, I know nothing about this except what I read in the comments over at Jo's. Nipples seemed to come up a lot over there, too.
Just wanted you to know I was checking in and thinking of you and wishing you all the best.
Posted by: cass | Sunday, September 04, 2005 at 12:10 PM
Hi Emma,
I think we share a due date (Aug 29?). I, too, am still waiting and hoping that I don't make my midwife appointment next Tuesday. I've been walking a lot, but I refuce to go the castor oil route. It's too unpleasant.
good luck!
Posted by: Terrill | Sunday, September 04, 2005 at 03:24 PM
The baby will come in her own time. When she does, you'll be ready, I'm sure. She'll probably go on changing your expectations and doing things her way for the next 50 years ;-). Popsicles are good. I lived on them for the last 2 weeks of a 41 week pregnancy in high summer here in 2001. Mick was born on 5 January, and *man* was it hot!
Thinking of you, and refreshing often. Let us know the good news soon!
Posted by: Emma almost Jane | Sunday, September 04, 2005 at 06:48 PM