Anyone else not dilated at all?

[javilu]

I had a bit of an ordeal at my midwife appointment today (long story made short - my fundal height is only 35 (I'm just past 39 weeks), and this is only one cm more than it was at 36 week, so I ultimately ended up having a quick ultrasound done by an OB, showing the baby to be right-on, size-wise (they admitted that ultrasounds are notoriously inaccurate in determining weight at this stage, but they were able to rule out a too-small baby, at least) and right-on in terms of fluid levels) and the midwife wanted to check my cervix to see if the baby was very low down (which would've explained my lower fundal height). I let her check and she found it to be 50% effaced and not at all dilated. She said the baby's head is at station -2, which I understand to not be very low, either (hence the ultrasound).

I know this is all just a crapshoot, really, but does it sound like this baby probably won't be coming for a while? I'm 39 weeks and 1 day, and this is my first baby. I know that I was born a couple of days after my due date (I was my mom's first).

[L&K'smommie]

I just want to say it means absolutely nothing. I was the opposite. I was dilated 3cm and 80% effaced at 36 weeks, 4cm at 37 and 38 weeks, and then 5cm and 85% effaced with my bag bulging...I didn't deliver until 40 weeks. So it really means nothing! I hope that encourages you a bit. I have no idea what's happening this time around since my MW I have this pregnancy doesn't do checks unless I ask.

[javilu]

Haha, yeah...I've heard they can't tell you much of anything "useful" with the checks, which is why I hadn't asked for any. Sometimes, I feel like the baby's "trying" to get out and I half expect to wake up with a baby leg sticking out of me, but that seems *really* unlikely!

[nuwavemomma]

I was not effaced or dilated at all on my last appointment during my son's pregnancy. They actually said, "Oh it will probably be a while." Two days later - baby.

Means nothing - hang in there. That's why I'm not doing any checks this time around. I don't want anything to obsess over either way! (Not that you are - I did though!)

[Devaskyla]

Yeah, it really doesn't mean anything. I've been hanging out on birth lists for 8 years now & I can't tell you the number of birth stories that start 'I went to my doctor & was barely (or not at all) effaced/dilated. Dr. said it would be a few more weeks' & then go on to 'I had my baby a few hours later'.

I have no idea if I'm dilated or not. Cervix is definitely not high anymore, though. I might get h to check me tonight, just out of curiousity.

[ilovebabies]

I don't believe that I am, but don't plan on doing any checks so it doesn't matter. Baby will come when he's ready.

[liliaceae]

I agree that it doesn't mean anything. I wasn't dilated at all when I went into labor with my son. Don't know if I am or not now as I'm not doing any cervical checks.

[dearmama22]

I'm with everyone else.

However, I didn't know it didn't mean anything until I became pregnant and started reading and hearing about it. I haven't done any checks except at 36 weeks. I just figure I would be better off without knowing- I don't want to stress or be more anxious about anything. I would absolutely hate knowing that I was 4 or 5 cem. dilated but then having nothing happen. It would also be horrible to find out I was not dilated at all at 39 weeks!

Some things are just better off left alone!

[Conchobhar]

They checked me this week (I was curious and it was "suggested") and I'm not dialated. I'm fairly sure if I go early, it'll be in days, not weeks. My cervix is so far up, it felt like the MW had her arm buried to the elbow in my hoo-ha. I'm going to decline any more checks until I absolutely have to have one done. I'm definitely not looking forward to that experience while I'm in labor, that's for sure.

[Aimelet]

I too am 39 weeks and I have been measuring 35 since 35 weeks. I asked the MW if that was okay and she said it was totally normal and the baby was just moving lower but it was still growing and it was fine.

She also doesn't do internals, until my due date, just to see.

[DomerJen]

I still can't reach my cervix, so I have no idea, but I don't think I am. I've just started getting the "clawing at my cervix" feelings, and my m/w said that is the beginning of effacement, so I think I'll be a while yet.

Don't forget, the average 1st time mom goes 10 days past her due date! That's the *average*! Enjoy the rest of your pg.

ETA: I only measured 37cm at my appt on tuesday, so I think I've dropped a bit b/c I've been measuring right on or a little ahead up until now.

[moonshine02]

I got checked yesterday at my 40 week appointment. All along I said no checks, but since I was not expecting anything....1cm. Ha. I knew it. And it is our first. What is the "clawing at cervix"? I have had Ouchy feelings down there... I wonder if that is what you are talking about?

[nettlesoup]

We don't get checks until we're in labour over here, but I'm now a week overdue and apparently the baby isn't even touching my cervix yet.

[Indigomama]

I'm with dearmama... hearing/listening to how far you are is only detrimental to your health!!

At 38 weeks I wasn't even effaced.... it's going to be a while despite the fact that I was having pretty intense contractions that day. When to the hospital next day... contractions hard... not dilated.. not dilated.. not dilated ... 6 pm that night went from no dilation barely effaced to 10 centimeters by 7 pm.

Everybody goes differently, uniquely... I'm planning on bringing ear plugs this time around because i nearly lost it being in labor that long with no progress. But just mybody's way of doing it... guess it doesn't want to open up til the last minute! LOL.

[javilu]

I'm believing everything everyone is saying about it not meaning a thing!

I had intermittent contractions all day yesterday and regular contractions all night. I had to very consciously breathe through them. 18 minutes apart, then 12-15, then 6-8. Lasted 40-60 seconds. They seem to have stopped for the time being, but there's definitely something going on. What, exactly, I don't know. But my body isn't just sitting around.