My due date has arrived, but the baby not... As the gynecologist had predicted, it won't arrive till after the expected date of delivery... From now on, my in frequency increasing appointments will be dedicated to the observation of the baby's well-being. This mainly involves being hooked up to a CTG-monitor (cardiotograph), which measures the baby's heartbeat and any possible contractions - resp. how the baby reacts to the stress of contractions. The other check-ups done were on the level of amniotic fluid and on the state of the cervix and the engagement of the head of the baby in the pelvis..
As for the first test, I was hooked up for half an hour - 15 minutes lying down, another 15 minutes standing up. During the first 15 minutes, 5 contractions were registered, to which the baby reacted without stress. The gynecologist came in and said something like 'hmmm, this could be the start of something...!". Well my luck (!), as soon as I stood up, the contractions ceased. Darn!
The second test was passed with bravour too... plenty of amniotic fluid. The last test, the internal examination, however, turned out to be a source of great concern. Cervix only 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated and the head still way up high, no way near engaged - we could observe on the u/s monitor how the little head was turning and twisting, looking for the way down... poor thing! Tentative diagnosis: pelvis likely to be too narrow for the baby to pass through. If this is in fact the case, a cesarian is the only solution.