34 weeks and fully engaged/soft cervix..

[shaunasmommy]

So I had a dr appt this afternoon, and because I have had a lot of pressure and bh contractions, and with a history of preterm labor, she wanted to do an exam to see if there is any concern to be worried and I let her. Well, I also had a high bp as well (160/92), and glucose in my urine.

She said my cervix is very thin and extremely soft, and baby's head is RIGHT THERE. I am only dilated to a finger tip still though, so that's a plus.

With all of that and the lightning crotch pains, and mainly because of my bp and bh contractions, she sent me to L&D to be monitored for a bit, and get blood work done and my bp checked every few minutes.

BP finally went back down to normal over the course of 2 hours, blood work was fine, but now I'm on bed rest (she said not STRICT bed rest, but to be relaxing constantly and not doing anything exerting).. Not looking forward to just lounging around the house for at least 3 more weeks! AT LEAST 3 more weeks, possibly 6!! She said with this being my second though, he will probably be here closer to 37, especially with the progress so far. Last Tuesday my u/s showed my cervix closed and hard and 4.3 cm. Now it's nowhere near that..I don't know what to think, or how to cope right now. I'm just shocked that this much has happened in a week. I have stuff that still needs done, and can't really afford being on bed rest. I already can't stand seeing a mess in the house, much less feeling bad for lounging while ordering my 8 year old dd to do the cleaning or asking dh to do it after working 8 hour shifts every night..

ARGH...any advice? does this progress mean that he will come early? I would like to see him here any time after 37 weeks, but I don't want to chance him being here any sooner than that.

 

[ttc126]

Hey I just wanted to encourage you although this is probably different as its my first. I was on various forms of strict(er) bedrest from 26 weeks for preterm labor until 34 weeks. I wasn't dilated at all and cervix was closed. Within one week of doing more activity (still nothing crazy just getting up and around more) I dilated to almost a centimeter and baby was engaged to a +1 (so already in the birth canal). I went to my 36 week appointment today and I'm just over 1cm and baby is "right there" as well... however, I am still pregnant and only a couple of days from that 37 week mark where I don't need to worry as much.

Try to just rest and relax as much as possible. I notice my constant contractions get worse if I'm anxious...regardless of whether I'm doing light activity like small house cleaning stuff, etc. You will be ok. Be strict with yourself for a couple of weeks and avoid lots of walking if possible!