I know you're miserable (I'm 31 weeks and I feel your pain), but just hold out for that 40 week marker. The longer the baby is in there the more developed he/she will be. As you know you can be dilated for weeks.

If it gives you any idea, my first pregnancy I went 2 days early and my second I went 2 days late. This time around I'm figuring i should be right on the marker! LOL

Hang in there.

Tammy

Mommy to Gracie and Brianna and

baby Caden Michael due 2-14-2008

Marriage is a living thing, if you don't feed it, it will die.

I've been dilated to 1cm since last wednesday. Although my doctor said that my cervix was still very hard. Ugh, I'm so with you and being ready to be done. Although, I don't think it means much to be dilated to one. I've been taking evening primrose oil to help soften my cervix and I go in on Wednesday to see how far along I am. I'm being induced next week either way, but Geez, it still isn't soon enough! I'm ready to get this kiddo out! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

My doctor told me that it is a really good sign if you are getting braxton hicks and really good sign if they get stronger and stronger. Mine haven't quit, I get like 2 or 3 an hour whenever I'm being active. Just stay active and pray!

Good luck!

Brandy:

Mommy to Elijah (8/7/06) and Baby Lilly (Due 12/28/07)

I was dialted to 2 and 100% effaced at 36 weeks with both.... With #2, I lost my plug at 38 weeks 6 days, had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks 3 days. I never went into labor on my own. It's definitely a sign that your body is working, but not a sign you'll be going into labor anytime soon.

Rachel

Mommy to Lillian (3/16/04) and Anderson (9/22/06)

surprise baby #3 EDD 3/22/2008

Hate to tell you this, but as a second timer you've probably been 1 cm since conception. You don't close up as tightly after the first baby.

Cervical checks are really useless unless you're in active labor already. They don't tell you anything about when the baby will come. You could be closed up tight as a drum and have a baby a few hours later.....or you could walk around for a week or more 3-4 cm dilated and 100% effaced (I did). Many midwives don't check their mom's cervix until she is already in active labor.....some don't check until she feels "pushy" and some don't even check then.

~ momma2mingbu

(Mom to Keithen - 8 yrs, Kaylee - 6 yrs, & Ruby - 4 yrs)

"What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller

I am about 35 weeks, and am considering reaching up inside and yanking this baby out! I have passed "uncomfortable" and now everything is just plain painful. Don't really have anything to add, just wanted to comiserate with you. :)

Castor oil will do NOTHING but give you diahrreah. The ONLY way to jump start labor is the same way that baby got in there...sex. The protein in semen helps to thin the cervix. Probably not what you wanted to hear...we all know just how "fantastic" pregnant sex is, especially at 36 weeks. (note: HEAVY sarcasm there:) I would hold off for at least a week and a half more, though. You can be dialiated that much for a bit longer.

~*Jennifer*~

Domestic Engineer

Jackson Douglas 8/13/03 and Justin Davis 1/11/05

The hand you hold out...the little hand that holds on...the touch of both...learns from example

Instead of focusing on getting the baby out.....

- Pamper yourself.

- Get a massage. You will feel so much better and labor will be easier with your body in balance.

- Ditto for getting a chiropractic adjustment.

- Go get your hair and/or nails done.

- Do pelvic rocking every day to encourage baby into a good position. Spend some time laying on your side afterwards with you uterus falling away from your body, taking pressure off your spine and internal organs.

- If you can, spend some time in a hot tub, birthing tub or swimming pool. Being weightless feels HEAVENLY in later prengnacy.

- Spend some time enjoying these last days that your oldest is still your "only."

- Enjoy the fact that your baby is easier now to take care of than s/he will ever be again. Memorize what those little pokey body parts feel like and what all the little kicks and hiccups feel like.

~ momma2mingbu

(Mom to Keithen - 8 yrs, Kaylee - 6 yrs, & Ruby - 4 yrs)

"What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved, we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes a part of us." Helen Keller

If they really worked, no baby would ever be born past term, right? And some of them are very dangerous for you and/or baby.

To answer your question, I started contracting and dilating at 34 weeks, and was induced at 41 (wanted to wait to let her come on her own, but doctor refused). The good thing about waiting until at least the 40 week mark to induce is that your cervix will be given more time to ripen, so you have better odds at a speedy delivery. My 2nd daughter was born in 1 1/2 minutes and 3 pushes.

Accept the right of others to decide what's best for themselves.

Just want to wish you an extra 2 weeks of pregnancy :)

Good Luck!

I second all of this but especially finding opportunities to imerse yourself in water. Your bones will thank you. I also wanted to really second the savoring of time where your first is your only. Do special things with just him now and make them traditions to do with just him after baby arrives!

About the dilation: It's true, you've probably been dilated that far since conception. Dilation really does mean nothing until you're in an acitve labor pattern. Women can walk around 6 or 7 cm dilated and not give birth for weeks. Or you can be closed up like a bank vault and have a baby a couple of hours later (like I did). So, the moral is: Enjoy the time you have left with a sweet little roly poly internatl babe :)

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~*~Peace On Earth Begins With Birth~*~