Once you hit 40 weeks how do dr appt's go??? also questions about labor???

Question

ill be 40 weeks on tuesday which is my next dr. appt. but i like to be prepared, but i was told we would have this baby before 40 weeks so i didnt excally jump on the ball and ask what i needed, i think they go to every 3 days right??? wow i feel so out of control! ive requested that they dont scrap my membranes until i hit 40 weeks, well now that that is in only 4 days, i know what it involves but does it hurt???

also, i know us pregnant women have so many cramps and pains, but what about a mild achey period cramp but only in the lower abdominal area, up top it hurts a bit more but not like a period cramp...i know everyone says you can tell if your in labour, but my biggest fear is ill just brush it off like im not! i think ive been losing my mucous plug and i think ive been having contractions, but dr said everything is normal.

like the contractions i feel just kind of make my belly hard, and are 30 min. apart, but i still have a dull cramp feeling, that sometimes gets worse...

but i feel like baby is right threre pushing his legs to get out...i just dont know what to think any more, i know im probally not in labor, so im not going to bother saying "am i" i just think its weird how everbody says " you'll know, it feels like this" and then another person claims no two people feel it the same way...i haeard the contractions start from the back and come to the front, but some people dont feel that, why is having a a baby sooooo damn confussing????

Answer 1

i know what you mean when i was going into labor i did not know either. i'm not that sensitive when it comes to pain. but i think that maybe it's time

Answer 2

Your doctor's appts should be every week once you hit the last month. But, since you will be at 40 weeks on Tuesday I will take a guess that they are going to schedule you for an induction. It will most likely be a week to two weeks from your due date.
Labor is so hard to explain to someone who's never had a child. It starts like an achy cramp and some can start in the back....that can be back labor..that means that the baby is facing the wrong way. She/he should be face coming into the world, but if they are the wrong way, referred to as "sunny side up" then that could mean more pain w/ labor, thus back labor. It's not fun and it does make it a little more painful, but w/ the drugs (epidural) then you will not feel a thing until you are ready to push.

You could go at anytime and if you have lost your mucus plug then it's going to be anyday or week now. Every pregnancy is different so it's hard to compare each and every one.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Trust me, you will really really know when you're in active labor. The crampiness could be early labor, but like someone else said that could last for days. With my first child I had back labor, so I didn't really know what a regular contraction felt like. When I was pregnant with my second 4 yrs later I was afraid that I wouldn't know I was in labor. Ha!! You won't just suddenly get hit with active labor, at least I didn't. My contractions gradually went from 25 minutes apart to 15 minutes, etc.

As for the 40 wk appts, I don't know because my kids were born at 38 and 39 wks. I've never heard the part about more frequent appts, but it would make sense. Hopefully your labor will start soon and you won't have to worry about it. Good luck!

Answer 4

i would personally let them scrap ur membrains, it doesnt hurt and it will get the ball rolling. they did that with my son and i went in to labor 3 days later, usually they have u go to the dr. still once a week, still unless there is a problem, and it sounds like u are haveing contractions but if they arent strong yet i wouldnt worry about it. u should go to the dr. when u cant talk thu them anymore, or if ur water breaks, i have had three babies, a good way to tell if they are false contractions is to lay down for a while if they go away then they are false if they dont then they are true contractions and the best thing to do is just wait untill u cant talk thru them anymore. sometime u can have strong contractions and ur water will not break, so then the dr. breaks it for u. but my advice is rest, eat, and drink plenty of water u will need it for the delivery, they wont let u eat so get something on ur stomach even if u dont want to eat, eat a little something, and good luck i hope everything goes well. when they scraped my membrains it didnt hurt at all it was just uncomfortable, but it was quick it did make me cramp alittle but it wasnt something i thought was going to kill me and i cant tollatete pain at all but if u do let them it wont take long and it will be done with its not anyworse than the dr. doing a pap smear.

Answer 5

With my first pregnancy I was induced 2 days after my due date and gave birth on the third day of being induced but my appointments were still being scheduled a week apart. Stripping the membranes can be kind of uncomfortable and might hurt a little bit but nothing like the pain of labor.

When you're really in labor you will be in so much pain you won't be able to brush it off. If you're contractions aren't getting stronger or closer together then it's most likely pre-labor or Braxton Hicks. Usually when someone asks a question about late pregnancy/labor they will get an answer saying that if you are having contractions you should go to the hospital. I feel bad for the woman who listen, go in to the hospital and get sent away because they aren't in active labor meaning they aren't contracting regularly and at least 3-4 cm dilated. Hospitals won't admit you if you aren't active. Best of luck.

Answer 6

I will begin by saying your probablly in labor. Mild beginings!!!
Contractions vary greatly. When I had mine they were just a really dull ache in my abdomen, and a slight tightening in my uterus. I was at my friends house and she said dont wory you have been sitting too long that's all. I went to the hospital cause I was paraniod, and it turned out I was contracting. So it goes to prove that every woman is different. If you are a little suspicious call the doc or go to the hospital, it's better than having the baby in your living room. And remember every woman does it a couple of times. ( runs to the hospital for no reason) Think of it as practice!!!!! Good luck
P.S. scrapping your membranes feels like an exam

Answer 7

I'm due tomorrow and kind of feel like you do. I was also told that I'd know when I'm in labor and just like you I've been thinking that I'll just brush it off. I believe though like I've read on pampers.com that the pain will get more intense and closer together, I guess I'm just so anxious to have my baby. I've also read that the hardening in the stomach which feels like the baby is balling up and trying to push it's way out through the top of your belly is false labor and all it is doing is thinning out your cervix. "REAL" labor, the pain will come from your back and (as I've kind of sort of felt) will be a little electricity feeling and I'm assuming it will get more intense as labor progresses. This is my second pregnancy and I still can't describe "true labor" as I was induced and on alot of drugs with my daughter.

Answer 8

Wow... your really stressed about it! It'll be okay, really, you might be having braxton hicks... & your body is probably getting ready for the real thing!! I never went to the hospital until .. I KNEW it was time... my water never broke, but the pains were mostly in my back!! If you don't have the baby by Tuesday, why don't you just ask your Dr. to induce you? I had my membranes scraped once.... the Dr. said it wasn't going to be painful.... YAH RIGHT!!! And I really a good patient... pain is something I can handle... but lets just say it was alot more then I had expected!! If the Dr. induces you... that doesn't hurt! They just gice you an IV with a bit of medicine that will jump start your contractions & he/she will break your water... (not painful)!!!... It's kind of a strange feeling... but not painful.... really!!! I had that 3 times!! Good luck & congradulations!!=)

Answer 9

I know its confusing because every woman is different. I am really close to labor too, almost 38 weeks, and I have to go every week to the doctor. At your 40 week appt., they will prob. check to see if you are dilated and same at 41 weeks and then maybe 42 then they might induce you. All I have heard all along is "You will know when it is actual labor". But like my mom, she didn't know she was in labor because it was all back pain. You need to just time your pains (contractions) if they are coming constantly every 10 minutes apart then more than likely you are in true labor. If the back pain starts in the back and travels to the front every 10 min. apart, you are probably in labor. If they come and go then you are probably not in labor. I think it is all about the timing and consistency of the contractions. Good luck to you.

Answer 10

In the 40th week of pregnancy your doctor may request a visit 3-7 days apart, to keep close observation of possible things that could go wrong so late in pregnancy usually at these appointments you may be checked for dialation, the doc. will check the fetal heart rate, urine to check protein, any swelling for signs of preeclampsia, blood pressure and wt for any suspicious wt. gain This mild achy crampy feeling is just your body getting you ready for the real thing this is referred to as braxton hicks contractions. Once the onset of labor begins you will notice that the duration of this cramping will be steady and getting closer in duration, some women do experience back labor as you mentioned but not all. When the doctor strips your membranes it should not cause pain, you will be warned that you may have some spotting and cramping after this procedure is completed if this bleeding is heavier than just simple spotting you should report to the E.R. During this stage of pregnancy some things to pay close attention to are fetal movement if your babies movement becomes sporatic, or decreases, swelling of limbs, ankles or face, loss of amniotic fluid, fever, chills, and dizziness all of these things should be reported as soon as possible. Lastly when true labor begins you will not brush it off to settle your fears of this pull out that watch and track the duration and intensity of your contractions. Don't worry you will be fine. If you get too anxious speak to your doctor of ways to speed up the onset of labor such as walking, castor oil, and sex with your partner. Good luck and Congratulations.

Don't forget to pick the best answer...

Answer 11

First of all...yes scraping membranes hurts like the dickens. However, it doesn't come anywhere close to how bad labor pains feel. You should let them do it, because it will jump start your labor, hopefully. It sounds like you might be having contractions, but unless they are coming regularly and getting increasingly painful, then you aren't in actual labor. If you are just having one every now and then, then you are fine. Secondly, if you don't go into labor or get induced, then yes...you will start seeing your doc every three days. If you are nervous, though, call your gyno and talk to the nurse. They will tell you if you need to go to the hospital. They are there to help, and get calls like this all the time.