my doctor wants to "coach me" into labor?

[due july 30th :)]

i went for my 37 week checkup yesterday and he said im 1 cm dilated, almost all the way effaced and baby dropped. he said hes pretty excited and he can tell the baby will be here soon and wants to try and get the baby out next week. he said when i come in wednesday, he will stretch my cervix and talk to me about other things that will put me into labor so that i can have the baby sometime next week. im so excited, but why would he want to do this at 38 weeks? is that common for doctors to do?

 

[Natacha]

its not really something that is normal for a doctor to do so early here in australia-i don't know about if it is where u are..
its actually frowned upon by the midwives at my hospital!
unless u have a medical reason for being induced, it's not necessary at all-as you said, you're only 37weeks atm, so there's no need to rush things.
also, if ur already 1cm dilated, it seems your body is doing fine all on its own to getting baby ready, and rushing ur body would be silly!!!
trust your own body-i know the prospect of having baby here soon is exciting, but unless ur closer to ur due date, your doctor shouldnt be rushing you.
be careful-im not saying your doctor is dangerous or doing anything illegal, but i would recommend going to the hospital where you're booked, and having them give you a second opinion, and have a female staff member examine you to see whether or not its necessary!!

either way, all the best, and i hope everything goes well for you, you'll be holding ur little angel in ur arms soon enough!!!