Low Baby Position & Early Labor at 35 Weeks: What to Expect

Question
Hi, I am 35 weeks pregnant with our 1st baby, I have had a low risk "normal" pregnancy. At my checkup today I was after they did the beta strep swab they checked me & said the baby has dropped "way low" and I'm dilated to 1cm. Should I be worried about going into labor soon? I was too shocked to ask questions. If I go into labor is the baby going to be ok & is there anything I can do to prevent labor? Thanks so much for any help.

Answer
Heidi,
Being dilated 1cm and the head being low does not mean will go into labor just yet. Your body is just getting ready. It is a good sign. You wouldn't want to be closed with a thick cervix and the baby's head still floating. That's not a good kind of cervix to try and induce because it's not what we call "ripe". There is nothing you can do to prevent labor from starting. A lot of times, if your body is going into labor, there is a reason for it. I don't think you will be going into labor today or tomorrow, but even if you did, most 35 wks babies do very well. When we have to induce @ 35wks is when the babies don't do so well because they weren't ready to come yet. When we force nature is when we run into problems sometimes. There is also medical reasons we would need to induce that early though. The mom may be preeclamptic and the baby would need to come out then.
I would say majority of 35 wk babies do excellent if they are delivered from mom going into labor early. Labor causes the body to release hormones that the baby will need. Labor also helps the baby mature it's lungs. Don't worry about going into preterm labor. You have had a great pregnancy so far and you can probably expect a normal delivery as well. Good luck and congratulations.