Carmen, first of all get the idea out of your head that you are having a "bug baby". This will only add to your fears and anxiety. Have you been drinking Raspberry Leaf Tea ? Or using Evening Primrose Oil ? The RLT will help to tone your uterus to make you have more effective contractions when labour day comes. The EPO will help to soften your cervix and get it ready for labour. You can take it both orally and insert it into your vagina. It contains prostoglandins (the same hormone that is in sperm) and can really help out your cervix. Many OB's won't have heard of it though. Alot of midwives are only just coming around to it now, and some have known of it for years.

You are only 38 weeks preg so I don't know why your OB is doing an internal on you. And given that this is your first baby I wouldn't expect you to be dilated just yet so 1cm is a bonus.

Perhaps you could also try some acupuncture to help get your body prepared for labour, not to actually induce it just yet though. And remember most first bubs come late hun.

Goodluck and I look forward to seeing your birth announcement soon