Ok mommies out there...FTM needs translations lol

Hello ladies! Hope everyone is doing wonderfully this week. Well, I had my 36 week appointment this morning and I'm just curious as to what it means. First, the baby has indeed dropped...she had to go very low in my pelvis region to pick up his heartbeat on the doppler. Then, I had my first cervix check...which wasn't too bad to me. She told me I was still closed, but soft and was 30% effaced. So, from what I've been reading it basically means my body is in fact starting to get itself ready for baby, but not quite there just yet. I've been having some pretty strong braxton hicks for about the last 2 weeks and they're becoming a lot more frequent and stronger as the days go by. I've gotten the next 4 weeks of visits scheduled and I'm finally going to get to see the OBs again. I've only met the 4 drs at one appointment each so far and I'm always seeing the NP- which kind of shocks me considering they've been billing my insurance for high risk pregnancy visits and I still don't quite get the "high risk" considering I've had 0 complications. oh well!! Well, any translations as to what this all means as far as the cervix check would be wonderful to hear...what should I expect and so forth?? I'm really starting to get nervous and anxious all at the same time LOL!! And ever since she checked me I'm feeling a lot of pressure and twinges down low...normal??

Thanks so much!!! :)  Oh and I managed to pick up something at my shower on Sunday....some kind of cold bug...right now it's just a sore throat and a little head congestion, but it's definitely the yucks to say the least! ugh...always something!!

Lots of Dr's wont check you until you are at due date or past.  It is completely normal to have some mild discomfort from the exam, some have light bleeding (so I hear).  I didn't have cervix checks- I had a check / scrapping when I went for my on due date visit in the morning.  Later that night my water broke.  I had no on going braxton hicks until the very end of my pregnancy-last week with my first.  My second I had them on and off after like 34 weeks or so.  I went to High Risk first pregnancy- loved them.  Went to intermediate risk second pregnancy- hated them.  I went to regular OB/Maternity group when I was pregnant the first time (ended in MC)- I wouldn't ever recommend them to anyone- their care sucked- was in process of changing practices when I found out about m/c.  All groups seem so different- some allow you to see the Dr's some have you see interns, some NP, midwife, etc.  I hope you feel better soon.  I bet you are so excited to meet your lil one. 

Jenn-
Oh boy am I ever ready to meet this little guy!!! :) I watch a Baby Story and I end up in tears everytime cus I'm so ready for it to be my turn. I'm just happy I've kept him in there baking for this long and it seems like I've waited for so long for this day that it's for sure dragging. I'm drinking some honey lemon green tea as we speak and hopign this sore throat wills itself away quickly. Thanks so much for the info! :)

it sounds like your body is doing what it should be... but really it means nothing... cervical change is not a big indicatior of when you will actually go into labor... some women walk around at 3 for weeks.. others go from 0-10 in 2 hours...

Well, you may not be feeling this way, but just in case you are....it's not likely that you're going to go into labor any time soon.  I remember finding out that I was 2cm dilated at my 37 week appointment and I was convinced I was gonna go soon...well, I went 42 weeks. I had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions for the weeks leading up to delivery...so much so that when my real labor started, I went a full night and day assuming I was having BH until my water suddenly broke.  My plan this time is to time all contractions, BH or not and if they become consistently 5 mins apart, I'm going in! As for other things you can expect there at the end (besides becoming extremely uncomfortable and possibly in pain - I got really sharp pains in my crotch after my son dropped): you may release your mucus plug, get your bloody show, or your breasts may start leaking.  All mean labor is coming, but could still be a few weeks.  Sorry if you already know all of this stuff. :)  

Good luck hanging in there these last weeks...it's tough! :)  

Thanks for the info yall!!! I figured it wasn't much of an indication of much, but she was throwing stuff out there at me and I wasn't too too sure what it all meant. Sounds like it's time to just sit back and let the waiting game begin. I'm just praying he comes on his own because induction (even if he is a little over due) is the last thing I'm aiming for. 

Thanks again! :)