39 Week Check-Up

Today I left work early for my 39 Week appointment. I expected to walk in and hear that there was no progress, but that's not exactly what I heard!

First was the normal stuff:

weight - up about 1.5 pounds

blood pressure - 120/76

Jude's heart rate - 140's

Next was my internal - before she began she said "what do you think?? have you progressed or not moved??" I told her I had NO idea:

I'm 3cm dilated and about 75% effaced, head down low.

She said I'm officially far enough along where she would have no problem inducing me. She told me that she thinks I'll be going into labor naturally pretty soon (who can really tell though) and then said "unless you want to be induced?" at which point I had that 'deer in headlights' look - I wasn't exactly sure if she meant this week or after I was due - she meant in the next week. I told her I'd prefer to try and go into labor naturally and she said that was fine, but that if there's nothing by next week (the 29th) that they'd be scheduling me to be induced the following Tuesday.

Realistically she said I could schedule it any day between my due date and 41 weeks, but in order for her (my doctor) to deliver I'd do it on Tuesday.

After she got done the exam, she asked if I had any questions. I discussed work with her (still no extra time off!), my restrictions after I deliver, pre-registration at the hospital (already taken care of by the office!), etc.

As she was walking out the door I said "see you next week" and he only response was "Maybe - I think you're going to go into labor soon!"

EEEEKKK!

This was totally different than my impression I'd gotten from the doctor who had done most of my previous exams! I was totally convinced I wasn't really doing anything and that I'd be going to 41 weeks. I'm totally aware that I could level out and not budge between now and May 5th or I could pop the kid out tonight. What everyone guesses and what actually happens are obviously two totally different things, so I'm trying not to get too excited, but it's intimidating to think "any minute now!!".