Drs comments

[TellMeMore2020]

Hey all, yesterday I went for my week 34 anti natal check up.

My doc made two comments that I want opinions on.

Firstly, I told her about the general aches and pains I had been getting. She then examined my bump and said "no wonder you've been getting them 'you're all bump'.." does that mean there's not much water or something else?

Secondly, she when feeling the position of baby she said that my baby's head was "very, very low, and she could expect to see me in the labour ward in a couple of weeks". I'm a bit confused about this because I'm just 34 weeks so 36 weeks makes baby premature right? Is she expecting me to go into labour early? Maybe I misunderstood what she meant.

I'm kicking myself for not asking what she meant at the time! 🙄

All bump means you've not put on any weight elsewhere.

The baby being engaged doesn't mean labour is imminent so don't worry.

I used to get the "you're all bump" comment and took it to mean that I'm quite small framed and so an averaged sized baby is a bigger burden on your body. Your bump in comparison to your body looks big if that makes sense.

None of it sounds cause for concern and the doctor would have elaborated or referred you for closer monitoring if there was a concern.

Her casual remarks about a "couple" of weeks (because head is engaged (low) were careless because you're now worried. It might be that she was being more vague than actually predicting 2 weeks. Both my babies descended low at around 34 weeks and both were overdue.

The signs she mentioned are a loose indicator of how imminent the birth might be but are not an accurate guide.

You can phone your doctor's surgery and ask for a phone consultation with your doctor if you want clarification or reassurance. She sounds a bit slap dash in her approach though so I wouldn't be overly worried.

I would reckon the first comment is her saying you are tiny and the baby is a large proportion of you ie an informal comment and not to do with the water. Anything from 37 weeks is full term so I reckon she reckons you will go closer to 37 weeks than 40 because baby seems ready, as she certainly wouldn’t be wishing a premature baby on you and if she had real concerns she would’ve pulled in a doctor and discussed them with you.

Phewww! Thanks all. They were all so rushy at my appointment so it felt uncomfortable to question everything they were saying.

I guess the "all bump" comment isn't so bad then. But telling me baby's head is very very low and expecting to see me on the labour ward soon was a bit silly, huh! I went straight home packing hospital bag, washing and drying all her clothes and panicking my partner! Suppose time will tell huh? Thanks again xx

She was a bit dismissive of your aches and pains. There are a few things you can do to help ; gentle exercises, improving posture, you can lie in bed with a pillow supporting your legs to align your back better and it's safe to take some pain relief (check instructions).

The aches alone are not a cause for concern though.

Good luck The last few weeks were the worst for me. I was very nervous about everything, especially the birth. I think most mum's feel like that.

I really am! She's my first baby and I don't know what to expect during these last few weeks and of course the dreaded labour side of things.

Thanks for your well wishes 😊

Baby very low and head engaged at 34 weeks doesn't mean you'll go into labour soon. If only it was that simple to predict!
Hope everything goes well for you x