Are they EVER coming out?!

Hi there. I am 36w5d with twin girls. Everyone, my OB included, is surprised that these two have yet to make an appearance. We had preterm labor at 33 weeks that was stopped and a few more trips to L&D for various other things EXCEPT having babies. Most of my contractions are in the evening, happening every 10-13 minutes. They are not painful at all. Last Tuesday, I was 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. The doc took me off bedrest (that she put me on at 33 weeks) and said to try to walk out some contractions. My greatest fear (don't laugh at me) is that I won't know when something is happening. And with ho-hum uterine actions, that is still a fear.

Anyone have a similar situation? The doc wants to induce at 38 weeks if we don't go by then. Any advice is appreciated. Will they ever come out?!

 

Oh wow, I wish I was in your shoes right now!

I have always tended to dilate pretty far before going into painful labor. In a way it's a blessing, but in another way, yeah it's kind of worrisome not knowing when exactly is the best time to get to the hospital. With my last two singleton pregnancies, my labors were less than an hour each, top to bottom. So I purposely spent a ton of time walking around the shopping center or sitting in the bookstore next to the hospital. But I always ended up having time to get to the hospital. . . even with a 20 minute car ride. Granted, one of my singletons was born in the triage area, and I never had time to get meds with each of those babies. But it was over so fast, I didn't need the meds. If I had the choice between induction or natural, I'd go with natural (after having my first baby induced).

But if you're really anxious, talk some more to your doc, and just keep pressing the doc to monitor you and the babies if they are going to insist on waiting to induce until 38 weeks.

(Really, I wish I were in your shoes! Sounds like you are going to have two healthy babies to bring home from the hospital with you instead of having to worry with the NICU!)

Best wishes. . .

 

I find myself wondering the same thing at times but then I remind myself of how small my girls were at 29 weeks and I'm just overwhelmed with gratitude for keeping them this long. Be patient and your day (and mine) will come... it's not too much fun being sent home from L & D with a huge belly!
^_^

 

oh girl - you're preaching to the choir on this one!
I was admitted and thought my twin girls were coming (just before 35 weeks) but labor was stopped (at 4.5cm dilated and 75% effaced) and I was sent home on bedrest until 36 weeks. I figured as soon as I got up and started doing stuff, labor would resume... I was wrong! As you can see from my siggy, I am over 38 weeks and I have done EVERYTHING I can think of to get these girls out - LOL (walks, vacuuming, mopping floor, I even carry my 18 month old everywhere... and still nothing <_< ) I have an induction date set for Tuesday morning but I REALLY want to go on my own (I'm still 4.5cm and same effacement).
Hang in there -- I know it's absolutley NO FUN and we feel miserable but just think how healthy (and hopefully not too big) our girls are going to be

 

Just wanted to offer a :hug99: I know how incredibly hard the last few weeks are.

I was taken off work at 32 weeks b/c I was 2cm and 50% effaced, by 34 weeks I was 3 cm and 75% effaced and ended up having to be induced at 37weeks5days b/c of high blood pressure.

Hang in there, they will eventually come out and each day you keep them in is better for them!!

 

I know how you feel. I've been having contractions for SO long I'm worried I won't know when and if its the real thing. My cervix has remained unchanged and is still closed for about 3 weeks now. I'm on terbulatine but don't think I'd go into labor still even if I wasn't. My doc thinks they will end up inducing me! I'm jealous of you that you're so far along, wish I was there and that these babies were closer to coming out!!

From what I've been told, and I don't know from first hand knowledge because these are my first, you will know. I don't know what thats supposed to mean, but thats what everyone tells me! I sure hope so!

 

I truly don't want to be induced, but the doc is worried about my size (I'm not a very big person) and the size of the babies. She suspects that they're already close to 6 lbs each, if not more. At my last growth scan, they were exactly where they were supposed to be. The doctor says at this point, they will probably spend no time in the NICU and probably be allowed to stay in the room with me. I want happy healthy babies more than anything, so I am willing to wait it out.

Shandy, I'm doing the same thing (minus the 18 mo old). Walking a lot, laundry, vacuuming, mopping, today some gardening.

We are monitored twice a week. On Tuesdays I have an exam (fluid check, swelling check, urine check, and cervical check if she feels it is necessary) and NST and on Fridays just an NST. I've been to L&D more times than I care to count. I'm on a first name basis with the lovely nurses up there on the 3rd floor. But when I get to the triage area and hooked up to everything, nothing happens. Babies move and play bop the monitors and I get no contractions. Quite frustrating.

I'm 40 minutes from the hospital, so the fear of not knowing is very real. Dh would freak right out if I decided to give birth on I-24 in the new truck.

I should not complain. I have had the easiest pregnancy in the world. No complications and no medical intervention necessary until that whole PTL episode at 33 weeks. After 7 years of IF, I finally got two to stick. Who knew I could carry 'em like a champ?!

 

Hang in there, the last few weeks are the hardest. I was induced at 39w2d and had them on 39w3d. That was according to my calculation. According to my doctor I was 40 weeks pregnant (she was going based on my LMP) Having them when they are ready to come out is really the best thing. I wouldn't push to be induced before 38-39 weeks.

They'll be here soon!
Stacy

 

QUOTE(MzMoonpie @ Apr 26 2008, 05:22 PM) [snapback]741024[/snapback]
The doctor says at this point, they will probably spend no time in the NICU and probably be allowed to stay in the room with me. I want happy healthy babies more than anything, so I am willing to wait it out.


That is wonderful! I'm fairly confident mine will have no NICU time either (of course you never know until they've arrived...) but at my last growth scan u/s (over 3.5 weeks ago) they were estimating close to 6 pounds then!

even though our house cleaning (and your gardening) doesn't seem to be doing the trick -- at least we have a clean and tidy house, right??

we can get through this together!

 

I'm not pushing for induction at all. I would much much much rather them come out on their own. My doctor is pretty conservative, so I tend to trust her judgement. If we make it to 38 weeks, she'll judge the situation based on many factors and then we'll make the decision from there.

 

They will come out. I have learned babies come when they are ready, not when we are ready for them to come. My first DD was a week late and then the twins 3 months early, they came on their own terms. Hang in there. The longer they stay in, the better. :hug99:

 

Just wanted to add that you pretty much told my story as well. I was fine and dandy until 32 weeks 4 days then I was admitted for PTL for three days and sent home on bedrest. I am currently sitting at almost 3cm dialated and have been for two weeks. I am off of bedrest and now these ladies have decided that they are just fine where they are. Everyone is so surprised that I am still pregnant, including my ob. He won't induce me before 39 weeks which is May 8th. So, I know I have less than two weeks left but they are the longest weeks of my life right now. It is amazing how you work so hard to keep them safe and sound and when they could come and be healthy they decide they don't want to Pregnancy is an amazing thing! Good Luck and hopefully our time will come soon, I keep telling myself they can't stay in there forever

Melissa

 

I had NOTHING, not even a scare until 37weeks 5 days when the twins were born, emergency C.
The last few weeks are terrible. I thought the same thing WILL THEY EVER COME OUT!!! I thought if anyone could die from being uncomfortable it would surely be me!!!
Good news is they do!! (come out) and FFWD to now they are 5.5 mths old!!!
Wishing you a smooth delivery.

 

I know it is hard to believe now... but next time you blink not only will they be out, but they will be nearly 16 months old.
treasure every kick - they will come out! I know a pregnacy 2 weeks seems like an eternity but once they are out you will wonder where the time has gone!

 

You're doing great!

I had my twins by scheduled c-section at 38w4d (they were both breech) - and I had NO SIGNS of labor. Turns out I was having some "tightening" or BH contractions every couple minutes, but not painful. I was starting to swell, so I bet they would have come pretty soon after that if we didn't have something scheduled. Who knew? I'm SO glad we didn't go any sooner though - mine were only 5lb2oz and 6lb1oz, and the little one needed oxygen for 8 hours, but then was in the room with me and we all came home together (5 days later). I guess they really needed the extra time! My son was born at 40w5d, so I guess I should have known then!

Hang in there!

Jenny

 

Well, the title to my post has been answered. We scheduled an induction for May 6th. I report to L&D at 6:00 a.m. The OB seems to think we'll go before then, but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

QUOTE(MzMoonpie @ Apr 29 2008, 09:50 PM) [snapback]747014[/snapback]
Well, the title to my post has been answered. We scheduled an induction for May 6th. I report to L&D at 6:00 a.m. The OB seems to think we'll go before then, but I'll believe it when I see it.


:Clap: for having a date! :hug99: It's hard but you can do it!!! :clapping: May 6th isn't far at all.

 

QUOTE(MzMoonpie @ Apr 29 2008, 08:50 PM) [snapback]747014[/snapback]
Well, the title to my post has been answered. We scheduled an induction for May 6th. I report to L&D at 6:00 a.m. The OB seems to think we'll go before then, but I'll believe it when I see it.


That is awesome! I just got my eviction notice for my girls too. We will be going in for induction on May 7th "if I don't go before then". I laughed and told my doc he's been saying that phrase for over a month and I'm still here. Congratulations on making it so far! We are officially on the one week countdown! Yippee! I can't wait to hear your birthstory

Melissa

 

:hug99: Mine were born at 36.5. Just wanted to send hugs cause I know how you are feeling!

 

I am in the same situation. I was in the hospital at 32.5wks for a failed ffn test, got the steroid shots & was sent home on bedrest & terb every 6hrs. I am now 35.6wks dilated 3cm 75% but still going strong. I would actually not mind them staying in a while longer but have the feeling they'll be out sooner. My Md is going away next friday (i'll be 37wks) so if they're not out by thur I may be induced so he can deliver for me. I have a 19mth old son so I'm not that anxious to get the babies out, I know they're much easier while inside! I wish you luck, they'll come out when they're ready, prob when you're least expecting it.

 

you should trust yourself. you'll know when the contractions change and you need to go to the hospital. for one thing, they will hurt like ****. none of this braxton hicks or beginning labor uncomfortable pressure. this will be hard core pain. then again my experience is with back labor but even non-back labor is debilitating. it's great that they are hanging in there! the longer you are pregnant, the larger the babies and large babies are good. they eat better, sleep better. it's a good thing. of course my peri told me today that with my cervix i could be pregnant for 6 more months (i'm 30-31 weeks) so perhaps i won't feel that way when i reach 38 weeks and haven't gone into labor yet! good luck!!! enjoy your last few weeks.