Today I had my 40 week appointment at my OB and they did a vaginal exam. He told me that I am now 4cm dilated and 80% effaced, and that her head is way down. He also commented that my amniotic sac membrane was 'bulging', meaning there is a lot of pressure on it. Based on that asses he said that he felt like my membranes would rupture at anytime.
Ever since that exam this afternoon I have been really uncomfortable, which I know is normal. I felt like I was MORE uncomfortable than the last 2 vaginal exams I had though. It was really hard to walk and it was a mix of aching pain and the feeling of having to pee TERRIBLY (but then I either couldn't go or only a very tiny amount would come out).
As soon as I got home and laid down I started to have 'episodes' of what felt like really uncomfortable period cramps way low in my pubic area and I think was accompanied by my uterus tightening. I tried to time then but they were so irregular and inconsistent. They last anywhere from 20-40 seconds and come very inconsistently - anywhere from every 5 min to every 15 minutes. I really do not know if this is just cramping from the exam (normal) or VERY early labor?
Anyways...the bigger news is that after a lot of questions and discussion we decided to schedule me for an induction on Saturday (omg?). I figure it this way: I will be 40 weeks and 4 days on Saturday, only a mere 3 days away from 41 weeks which is when they would want to induce me anyways. The farther past 41 weeks you go the riskier it gets for a few reasons (placenta starts to not function as well, can run low on amniotic fluid, etc). SO...although I have been against induction this whole time, I am agreeable to this. I am still giving her 4 more full days to come out on her own (and I am still fully hoping that she does) but if she doesn't at least I have an official LIGHT at the END of the tunnel!
I did a lot of reading about induction and asked a lot of questions. I learned that a lot of the risks that come along with induction moreso occur in women whose cervix' have not gone through ANY changes; meaning they aren't dilated at all or effaced or softened at all. This obviously does not pertain to me.
I found information on something called the Bishop score, which is a scoring system used to help doctors predicting whether or not induction will be required, and also to assess the odds of spontaneous delivery. I calculated out my score as follows:
4cm dilated: 2 points
80% effaced: 3 points
Station 0: 2 points
Cervix soft: 2 points
Anterior position: 2 points
Minus 1 point for this being my first child/first vaginal delivery
Total Score: 10
A score of 5 or less suggests that labor is unlikely to start without induction. A score of 9 or more indicates that labor will most likely start on its own.
This made me a bit more optimistic that my labor may start and be successful on its own.
I am feeling a lot of feelings! Shock, excitement, fear, disbelief. I can't believe my baby girl is going to be here no later than Saturday. I am praying that it happens within the next 24 hours though! Pray for me!
