38 1/2 week update

So I had my 38.5 week appointment today. I supposedly gained 6 lbs. in 1 week. I tried explaining to the midwife that last week I went in at 8 am and today I went at 4pm, so it was an empty stomach vs. full stomach, and showed her how my feet, ankles, and hand swell throughout the day. (I believe this weight to be mostly fluid - you should see my feet).
Well, she said if I don't have the baby before my next appointment (Wednesday, May 14th) then they want to talk about inducing me. She does not want me to go past my due date with this huge weight gain and swelling. I was very surprised to hear a midwife say this. I really don't want to be induced because I really want to avoid a c-section if possible.
Then I told her how the baby's movements have been less frequent.... she said this should NOT happen. So I had to go on the fetal monitor for a while. The baby moved about 5 times in 1/2 hour so I was free to go. Before I left she said she doesn't think I will make it to my next appointment and she will see me in the hospital before then. But I don't know how she came to this conclusion without giving me an internal exam.

Message edited 5/6/2008 9:04:14 PM.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

not sure what she is saying, to be honest

babies move less at 38 1/2 weeks because there is no room for them to move

You do not HAVE to be induced if you do not want to be. Let your feelings be known. Good luck

BTW - if you do need a c-section, it is really not that bad

Re: 38 1/2 week update

She said the movements should feel different, more like shifting, but they should be just as frequent as before.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I'm sorry, I hope you don't have to be induced.

Maybe she thinks you'll go on your own this week because the baby hasn't been moving very much and I've heard that the baby moves alot less right before labor is about to start.(I can't remember if it was true for me or not).

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I don't see why you need to be induced b/c of a weight gain. But I'm no doctor. BTW- induction does not equal c-section.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I've had the same problem with my 2 pregnancies and as long as my panel came back ok (blood and urine tests) it was just noted, the swelling. Movement also will decrease. I'm sure I'm heading to the same thing this time (I'm not far behind you.) Try not to worry! My OB would never induce until I was late, though.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I hope that your little one comes on his own soon. Hopefully you won't have to be induced. I agree that you should express your concerns and let your feelings be known.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I gained 8 pounds in my last week due to swelling. What they are probably concerned with is preeclampsia and the only way for that to stop is delivering the baby. I was induced for that very reason, although my labs came back borderline and I was sent home on a Friday, I was back in the hospital monday to be induced (Dec. 26th- I probably should have gone in sooner but I avoided it!)

Re: 38 1/2 week update

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I hope you don't have to be induced. Good luck and I hope your swelling goes down

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Julie,

I am sorry I don't agree. Is there another mid wife the practice that you can speak with?? I am having #2 on Friday and we are the same week and I don't feel #2 as often as I felt him/her before. The movements are very different BUT definitely not as frequent! You do not have to be induced if you do not want to. I would get a second opinion from another OB in the practice.

You could talk to every OB and every mid wife and ever ped that people use on this board and you now what you would get 1000% opinions. Ultimately there is no exact science to this the baby is the one who is in real control.

As for the weight gain it could be mostly water I gained around 60 with my daughter and lost all but 10 before my 6 weeks because it was all water.


But if you are that upset call and speak to someone else. I actually did this with my DD right before I had her!

Re: 38 1/2 week update

A different midwife told me the same thing about the movement last week so this WAS my 2nd opinion. I am seeing a different one next wed. at my next appointment too...

Re: 38 1/2 week update

If you are feeling your baby move less frequently, you must get a sonogram and make sure you don't have low fluid!!!!!!!

Please check into this - this is what happened to me - i was almost sent hom - my dr. said I have nothing to worry about because there was a strong heatrbeat and I could feel the baby moving, but when I stressed how less frequent it was, it got her nervous, and she checked and saw I had to go to the hospital ASAP because I only had 2 pockets of fluid left!!!!


ETA - I was connected to the fetal monitor for an hour before she did the sono and it told us nothing...

Message edited 5/6/2008 9:34:27 PM.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

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Re: 38 1/2 week update

i don't have any words of advice, i just hope that you go naturally and that makes his appearance soon! try to take it easy

Re: 38 1/2 week update

stay strong! you're almost there... hopefully, you'll be in labor very soon....

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Posted by headoverheels

i don't have any words of advice, i just hope that you go naturally and that makes his appearance soon! try to take it easy

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I'm sorry Julz! You don't need this added stress at the end of your pregnancy!

You do need to be careful with excessive water retention at the end due to preeclampsia and other complications. Since you've gotten more than one opinion I understand why you would go with it. Many of my friends have been induced and have gone on to deliver vaginally. Can you stay home the rest of this week and keep your feet up? That would help reduce water retention. I know you planned to work until the end, but if it means your health and not having to be induced maybe you should start using sick days now.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I had less movement towards the end- I thought that was normal. Once I passed my due date they checked and I was in fact running low on fluid. I was induced 6 days past my due date and delivered vaginally.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Sorry Julie,

I didn't realize that this was a second opinion.

If you have been told this by 2 docs in your last 2 appointments then I would listen and try to relax and take it as easy as you can. I know you want to stay at work but maybe take a day off each week like Wed so you work 2 off one and work 2 more. You don't need to be stressed at the end of your pregnancy.

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Aww, Julie Take it one day at a time. Hopefully you'll go into labor on your own (which I know is what you ultimately want) and won't have to dabble in the induction business. Your feet and hands have been swollen for several weeks now though but this was your first big weight gain within a week, right? I'm sure that's why they're concerned. Stay positive. Easy, natural labor vibes coming your way{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Easy natural labor vibes}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Julz if it makes you feel better, I was induced at 39 wks exactly. Due to a 2 vessel cord, Anyhow it was great, 10 hrs from start to finish, and tomorrow (5/7) at 5:30pm my lil boy is officially ONE years old!! and I had him vaginally, no C/S...although we did use a vacuum, he was sunnyside up, and if the vacuum didnt work then it would be a C/S.
But it wasn't; all went well and he's great, and I'm great...gosh feels like yesterday, I get weepy just thinking about it. NM looking at pictures.
your lil boy will be here soon!!

Re: 38 1/2 week update

I gained 30lbs while pg but 5lbs of that was within the last week! From week 37 on I had a lot of water retention and my ob really didn't seem to be bothered by it at all...I'm not sure why she is in such a rush to induce you... Also, I had less movement from DS in the end too - bigger they get - the less room there is for them to move!

Don't worry...I know its natural to get more nervous at the end but, all this is normal

Re: 38 1/2 week update

Hmmmm, that does seem a little weird. Well I hope you go in all on your own by next weeka nd have a nice easy natural labor