39 week update. FTM. Baby not dropping.

[Abbey08]

Thanks for all the very helpful information ladies!! So happy I posted. I was wondering if she was worrying because I am almost 2 cm and cervix is soft but all this information is very helpful and appreciated!

 

[wishfulone]

There are some things you can do to help your baby drop, although please do not fret if it does not happen right now. Sometimes baby wait until labor and sometimes it is before labor.
How is your posture? You should be avoiding leaning back and sitting on couches. If you havent already, sit on a large exercise ball with your hips at least as high as your knees, if not a little higher. This will rotate your pelvis forward and open it up to help baby slide down. Also, try doing squats several times throughout the day for the same reason. It will be okay. Your baby is not too big and I am sad that you were told that you may need a Csection - it is too early to jump to that conclusion.

 

[spicyorange]

But yes, unfortunately, in many places doctors do prefer to do c-sections. In the U.S. especially, they make significantly more money from them compared to vaginal births and they can schedule them around their office appointments, so it's just more convenient. It shouldn't be a reason to offer clinical advice, but it is in some cases.

This makes me so sad that we are known to offer more c-sections in the US. It reminds me of wisdom teeth removal....my husband, my sister in law AND myself were all given the total cost of services with anesthesia already included in the bill. However, I was the first one to get mine removed and I told them I did not want to be put under and that I was fine with just being numbed and having them removed. Guess what? MY bill (and my husband's and SIL) was WAY lower when we opted to not go under. It's just infuriating that it's the first option they give you! I understand that some c-sections are medically necessary, but for doctors who just want more pay-out from insurance.....that's just sad.

Usa has a c section rate of 32%, UK 24% finland only 6%.... and the WHO reccomends that no more than 10-15% are medically necessary. So someone is knife (or cash) happy. Makes me sad that make abdominal surgery is considered better than natural labour anytime except emergencies.

 

[Tristansmom]

To avoid a c-section, just don't go to your hospital/birthing centre until contractions are less than 3 minutes apart (unless you have excessive bleeding, or if your waters are stained). You'll probably be pretty nearly ready to push once you get there!

 

[RaquelDee]

I hate the idea of someone being told that they'll need a C-section based on maybes and what ifs, particularly as babies can engage any time and growth scans are so unreliable.

Having said that, sometimes a c-sec is necessary if the baby fails to engage properly during labour or is malpositioned and not descending, as this can cause fatal distress and other complications. The is exactly what happened to me, I went in to hospital with contractions less than 3 mins apart but it just didn't happen despite hours of active labour. I'm very thankful that my doctor recognised that a c-section was a medical necessity for the health of my baby, so I wouldn't assume that all doctors are looking for a quick buck or an easy out. However, I am at a hospital that is pro-vaginal birth and am not in the U.S.

 

[meg_bellamy]

To avoid a c-section, just don't go to your hospital/birthing centre until contractions are less than 3 minutes apart (unless you have excessive bleeding, or if your waters are stained). You'll probably be pretty nearly ready to push once you get there!

Yeah I agree with the ladies who say they are staying home as long as possible, going to the hospital early just puts you at risk of experiencing the "cascade of intervention" (I used to work in L&D and have seen this many times).

So sad that drs push for unnecessary c-sections.
"Your hips are too narrow, your baby won't fit" BS!!!!!!!!!!!

I think in Aust the c-section rate is almost the same as in the US, it's terrible!

 

[Mrs_Bump]

My son didn't drop until after 24 hours of active labour. He wasn't huge and I didn't need a c section. I tried everything to get him to drop, I even had the doctor trying to push him down during labour but he just wasn't interested. There are lots of positions and exercises you can try. Sometimes babies don't drop until the end and are stubborn, it doesn't mean huge baby or csection in every case.