By The Time You Read This I Could Possibly Be Giving Birth

We just got back from my ultrasound.

Good news: Baby looks great, measures one week ahead (putting my due date at June 10, but as the tech stressed, earlier measurements are more accurate--although baby has never measured a week ahead) and weighs in about 5 lbs, 1 oz (I think that's a bit above normal at this stage?). Oh! Yeah! And baby is HEAD DOWN!!!!! (Woo hoo!!!)

Bad news: My cervix is a measly weensy 1.6. Last time we measured it it was a whopping 3.0. The tech told me my doctor, who is in the OR right now, would most definitely call me. (Baby's head is RIGHT THERE. I mean, I could feel it pressing against my cervix if I was so inclined.)

I don't know what this means--am I going to make it to 36 weeks? (That's in approximately 3 weeks.) How long do women with cervixes measuring 1.6 have until they give birth? How prepared do I need to be at this point for Rocky to make an entrance?

In awesome too-cute-to-be-believed news, Rocky has my feet. The tech took a 4-D picture of her feet and her second toes are longer than her big toes--the dreaded curse of the finger toes! Poor thing.

If you know anything about cervixes measuring puny amounts, please fill me in. I'd like to be prepared for how long I've got at this point. Especially since Random is going away tomorrow (far away) until Sunday.

Edited to add: Doc just called. Errrrrr, complete bedrest at this point. Bed and couch is it. Plus, I have a urinary tract infection I am now on antibiotics for. I'm screwed, people! We have no family up here, all of my friends work, and Random doesn't get home until 7:30 most nights! ACKKKKKK!  

Comments

[Maren]

Oh, you SCARED me! I am glad that things are stable and not, as of this minute, pre-term laborish. Hang in there, Rocky! :) Thanks for the update.

[Bump Fairy]

Wow. Nothing to say that is useful except... my niece was born just shy of 35 weeks and went home with Mom, no NICU needed. And 5 pounds is a nice healthy weight. And I have finger toes too so I totally hear you there. Other then that..... LAY DOWN! And pack your hospital bag. Don't remember; do you have a cerclage? Is that in the books if you don't already?

[Sarah]

Please please please tell me that Random is going to place where he could get home FAST should the need arise? Lots of my internet friends have spent weeks with a cervix in the teens. But I'm a worrier and wouldn't want my mate to miss our child being born.

Has your doc said what she would or wouldn't do if the cervix shortens further and labor begins? If not, I think it's time to ask that question.

Good luck!

[Sheila]

I'm so sorry to see this news. It's hard to be on bedrest, and to be worried about your baby. I hope the rest will help you to carry him/her for a good while longer. And I hope you have some family and friends who can help care for MP and for your needs at this time, along with Random of course.

Sidelines National Support Network at www.sidelines.org has good information and support for women on bedrest. It's a network for women with high risk pregnancies, and it has lots of resources and articles, and some good FAQs.

with sympathy and best wishes,

[Marie]

I don't have info on the cervix issue to help you, but can commiserate. I'm 29 weeks now, and have been on very modified bedrest since 24 weeks (due to blood flow issues to and from the baby which will result in poor fetal growth and/or preeclampsia. Whichever catches up to me first, apparently). I can still get up and do things, which is lucky. BUT I was told at 27 weeks that they might be admitting me to do the steroids the next day and I should be prepared to be delivered any day thereafter. Was THRILLED to make it to 28 weeks, the first big milestone. Now hoping to make it to 30 and we'll see how much more I can bargain for. I was told 32 weeks will be my maximum. At last measurement my boy was 2 lbs. 6 oz. I KNOW it's scary, but I want to reassure you that your baby is a great size and you have luckily made it to an important gestational age. Try to hang in there and just know that whatever isn't done yet (as far as the baby's room or shopping) can get done at a later point in time if it has to. Your baby won't know if you don't have his room perfectly set up right away, he'll know that you love him and take care of him. Wishing you the BEST of luck!

[becky]

Bedrest bites the big one. I did complete bedrest (threatened pre-eclampsia) for 3 weeks, and it was awful. And I didn't have a toddler around!

I'd get some help in. A high school kid is cheap -- get one to come in for the late afternoon until Random gets home. I'm assuming you've got some time between daycare and DH's entrance? HS kid would be perfect. YOu'd just need her to entertain MP and bring you non-alcoholic umbrella drinks, right? My HS help probably knows more about mixing drinks than I do, so wahoo!

[Laura from Ga]

WOW! Exciting and scary stuff...the good news is that the baby is a very good size. I have a friend that just gave birth a couple of weeks ago. The baby was 8 weeks early and weighed 4 lbs 10 oz and only had to stay in the hospital 4 extra days. I hope that Random is planning on staying home from this weekend. Surely his friend will understand. And I 2nd the poster that said to check into a high schooler to help during the day. Good luck ...and LAY DOWN!!!

[Jennifer (Et Tu?)]

Oh, no! That is so difficult that you have no help!

In my area there's this fantastic email list of moms that's known for having a great community spirit where everyone helps each other out -- when women on this list are in situations like yours they can get free help in the form of meals delivered, free babysitting, and all sorts of other help given to them by the other moms on the list. Is there anything like that in your area?

If you have any interest, the email list around here is at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AustinMamas/
I know they wouldn't mind if you sent an email out and asked if anyone knows of a group like that in your area. I know a few people whose asses were totally saved by this when they were on bedrest and/or had difficult deliveries.

[Kriss]

I don't have anything wise or wisdom-y to add either. I just wanted to wish you all the best for the next 3 weeks +.

[Veronica]

I have no idea about other women, but I went 2 weeks with 3 cm of dilation.

It wasn't pleasant (I was due and overdue during) because DAMN I wanted that baby out by then, but apparently it is more common than people know.

[21stCenturyMom]

A 2nd toe that is longer than the big toe is a sign of aristocracy. Enjoy your royal baby when s/he arrives, Princess!

Fingers crossed that you get a few more weeks.

[Nicole]

Yes, my mother says that having a second toe longer than your first toe is a sign of royalty.

I'd second the idea about hiring some late-afternoon help.

All the best. You'll do fine :)

[JuliaKB]

I second getting help. Short cervixes are unpredictable, but it is very possible you will make it to 36. My high risk OB friend told me about a patient he had recently who they had in the hospital on bed rest for a practically nonexistent cervix-- he says it was a scary, scary sight. But she made it to 36, and at that point they even let her go home. So I am hoping bedrest does it for you, and you can score some help.

[Carol]

Oh my, how nerve-wracking! I hope you can get someone to wait on you. Does Random really have to go away? This is Rocky's health you're talking about here! Thirty-three weeks relatively safe, but still not as good as full-term, JMHO. (I bet you're sick of all our bossy opining by now.)

Wow, the toes. The first sign that your genes have made it out into the next generation. My kids are 6 and 3 and I'm still waiting to see a sign!

Good luck and I hope you can velcro yourself to the couch for the next 3 weeks or more.

[Krista]

I was on bedrest with my second daughter and my oldest daughter ( adopted) was 9 months old, it was hell but you will get thru it.

I had a cervix of 1.4 for four weeks and ended up delivering my daughter at 32 weeks and 3 days, she was 3pds 15 ounces but perfect, needed no oxygen, stayed in the nicu 3 weeks to grow....

Lay down and go day by day you will be happy later the longer you can keep the baby in, order lots of take out and forget about housecleaning, it will all be there after the baby is born.

[mellie]

Just say YES! to any and all offers of help! And hire some besides for the heavier lifting. So exciting--maybe sooner--but hopefully later--babytime!

[tubeless]

I sure hope you can stick it out a few weeks on the couch. I wish I lived close to offer to help out with cooking meals or something. Even house cleaning while you lay on that couch or in bed lady. Keep that baby in there as much as you can. But I agree with this gestation the baby should be in healthy state and great hospital support go get you through this. Tell the Mr. we are watching over you when he is not here. Tell him to not go far.

[Jujubee]

I was on bedrest starting at 27 weeks for shortening and funneling of the cervix. Apparently, while the shortening is a concern, the funneling pretty much guarantees you will go into early labor. By 33 weeks I had started to dilate. At 37 weeks I was hanging around 3 cm dilated (and contracting, apparently, but I never felt a thing).

The ended up inducing me sometime into my 37th week (other reasons). So, you never know.

Also, 5 lbs is GREAT. That 32 week milestone is a huge one too. Obviously, more baking time is better, but however it turns out you've already hit a bunch of major milestones.

[Aurelia]

Hire help and tell Random to cancel his trip---he will regret it if he doesn't.

[Karlene]

Ok, coming out of lurkdom to reassure you just a bit. At 29 weeks with my first I was in for a routine growth check ultrasound (I had gest. diabetes and PIH). In the course of the ultrasound they discovered that my cervix was measuring at 1.2. I got sent over to the hospital for monitoring. There were some slight concerns so they admitted me overnight for observation. That night I went into labor and began dilating as well as effacing. I spent several days on mag sulfate and was then moved to procardia (calcium channel blocker). I had a postitive fetal fibronectin test and they were sure I would go into unstoppable labor at any time. I was sent home on complete bedrest. I wasn't even allowed to sit up to eat because they were convinced I could go into labor with very little prompting. The weeks ticked by and at 35 weeks I stopped the meds. At 36 weeks I was released from bedrest. Each appointment I was dilated more and told that I wouldn't make it a week until my next appointment. I walked around at 3 cm dilated for FOUR WEEKS. I tried everythign I could to get that boy to come out. I was walking nearly 4 miles a day just trying to get him out. At 39 weeks and 2 days I was induced and finally had him, perfectly healthy and wonderful. So, all of this to say that I would take their advice seriously and do what you can to keep her cooking a bit longer, but none of this is a guarantee that she's goign to be early, either. I hope you are able to find some help. It's only for a few weeks, at the longest, and you'll be snuggling your TWO girls!!!

[Karlene]

Ok, coming out of lurkdom to reassure you just a bit. At 29 weeks with my first I was in for a routine growth check ultrasound (I had gest. diabetes and PIH). In the course of the ultrasound they discovered that my cervix was measuring at 1.2. I got sent over to the hospital for monitoring. There were some slight concerns so they admitted me overnight for observation. That night I went into labor and began dilating as well as effacing. I spent several days on mag sulfate and was then moved to procardia (calcium channel blocker). I had a postitive fetal fibronectin test and they were sure I would go into unstoppable labor at any time. I was sent home on complete bedrest. I wasn't even allowed to sit up to eat because they were convinced I could go into labor with very little prompting. The weeks ticked by and at 35 weeks I stopped the meds. At 36 weeks I was released from bedrest. Each appointment I was dilated more and told that I wouldn't make it a week until my next appointment. I walked around at 3 cm dilated for FOUR WEEKS. I tried everythign I could to get that boy to come out. I was walking nearly 4 miles a day just trying to get him out. At 39 weeks and 2 days I was induced and finally had him, perfectly healthy and wonderful. So, all of this to say that I would take their advice seriously and do what you can to keep her cooking a bit longer, but none of this is a guarantee that she's goign to be early, either. I hope you are able to find some help. It's only for a few weeks, at the longest, and you'll be snuggling your TWO girls!!!

[tracey]

Just sending you a hug and saying that you can DO THIS. You waited HOW long to bring MP home? You went through how many ordeals, delays and heartache? You can endure these next few weeks. Buy and/or rent LOTS of videos. Call a church or SOMEthing (I dont' attend church, but they're WONderful people) and explain your predicament. Perhaps they could send a mother's helper a few times a week? Could you hire a teenager to come and prepare food and take MP for a walk to the park every day?

You are SO close! Every day you cook Rocky, the stronger she gets.

Hang in there, hon!

[Spacemom]

Breathe in, breathe out!
Okay Three tiny weeks (I was where you are when I went into pre-term labor with #2). You can do this.

I agree, CALL a local church or temple and get a teen helper! Really! You don't even have to be in that church. Just ask for help!

And please please please listen and stay in bed or on the couch. These last three weeks are important, okay????

[Jessica]

I also walked around for weeks at 2 cm dilated. They kept telling me she's going to come "very soon", but I ended up going to almost 40 weeks (39 + 5). And I wasn't even on any kind of bedrest. So you really never know.

[Anne]

Urgh, tough. No advice here, just sympathy.

Good luck, and I'll think cervix-lengthening thoughts for you.