Update and question for you all...

August 10, 2004

Hello everyone.

This afternoon I went in for my 38 week check up and had been cramping

most of the day before my appointment. I am now dilated to a 3 and 50%

effaced at this point but after she did my exam I had a lot of bleeding.

She told me I may experience bleeding as my cervix was soft and

sometimes an exam would do that but I got concerned because to me to

seemed like so much! She said that if I continued to bleed for an hour

and it soaked a pad then I should go to the hospital otherwise it would

taper off. Have any of you experienced this? I never did with my son

but that was 10 years ago and perhaps I just don't remember. I was so

crampy after my appointment that I went home and rested; then I went

back to work but only made it for about 30 minutes and then went home

for the day. The bleeding/spotting has stopped but I have had some

clots tonight; not to be gross but it was never blood red in color, just

brownish. I really thought this may be the start of labor but nothing

yet. just having period like cramps still that are making me really

nauseous at this point. I have been lying in bed, read for a bit, and

took a bath to relax which helped but continue to feel so crampy. My

due date is August 22nd but who knows at this point when this little guy

is coming. I also have been having loose stools which my sister insists

means that I am going to have this baby soon. anyone else heard that

before? I am just curious!!

Thanks in advance for any info you may have.

Ivy Nielsen

DOS 11/7/00

EDD 8/22/04-it's another boy! Big brother Jake will be 10 yrs old

9/25/04.

August 10, 2004

It sounds like the crampiness and the blood (normal and its called

bloody show) happens when your cervix dilates and thins out.

Dialted to 3 w/ 5-% effacement and still at home is very good!

Many (most) come in having contractions and they are just 1-2 dilated

and not thinned out at all.

The bleeding is called " show " you may lose mucous along with this, and

I would guess if yo continue to cramp, this is early labor and your

cervix is *ripening* itself to open wide for this baby to come out!!

The brownish clots tonight mean it is old blood from todays exam.

This is normal. Blood turns from red to brown as it ages.

Warm baths and soaks make you feel better so take them as long as you

want until your water breaks, then head back to L & D.

Chances are your body is *readying* itself for the impending arrival.

Your due date is just 11 days away and these babies can come before

(or after) the due date.

I have many patients who state they have diarrhea prior to arriving in

labor. Something about releasing of hormones/relaxin/ normal stuff

happening!

Check in soon unless you are already in the hospital! lol

Sheila

L & D/NICU RN

August 11, 2004

Yes, the last couple times this lady doc examined me had me bleeding. It did

stop though. It is not uncommon to bleed after since the cervix is right there

and so sensitive right now. Even after all the bleeding I had in my pregnancy

and the past examinations I still did not go into labor until my due date

God Bless, Robin

Wife to Pup for 15 years

Mommy to-

and

(twin boys, 8 years) and

Daughter Madison- age 5 1/2

and new Mommy to-

Emerson Roger born

July 28, 2004 at 4:11 am

8lbs 7 oz, 20 1/2 inches long.

August 11, 2004

This happened to me when I was in the later part of the 3rd trimester every time

I had an exam. Seems normal to me sweetie. Hang in there!

Axelrod