Walking around at 4 cm...

[bicyclingbethany]

Hello ladies!

I just found this forum about a week ago and have loved reading the posts- it's nice to see support from so many women in the same boat!

I have a question now- I am a first time mama, and I'm at 39+2 (due 9/15). I've been having prodromal labor for about 10 days now and yesterday when my MW checked me, she said I was 4 cm dilated and about 80-90% effaced!

Has anyone else been in similar situation with a previous baby?
If so, how did your labor go? Smooth sailing, I hope!

[xelakann]

5 cm here, 80% effaced and baby in station 0. Been like this since I was checked on Aug 31st-- not sure if that has changed as I didn't let them check me at my last appointment. I have been having contractions (some quite intense and regular) since Aug 27th.

I really thought I would have had this baby by now, but for whatever reason this baby is staying put.

No advice, sorry.

[lil_stinkyfeet]

I am currently almost 4cm.

With my middle son I was 3cm and 80% when my doctor stripped my membranes. He was my shortest labor and delivery with only about 2hr of "intense" labor.

[bicyclingbethany]

Yes, it's quite frustrating to be in what should be active labor, but not there! But it's reassuring to hear about nice quick labors when you're already halfway there.
Like my dh says, "yeah, maybe you'll just have a quick 4 hour labor...plus 2 weeks." (:

[mysticmomma]

That's a lot of work done for no labor!!! I was 4cm for 6 weeks with my daughter. She was born at almost 43 weeks.

[xelakann]

Originally Posted by mysticmomma

That's a lot of work done for no labor!!! I was 4cm for 6 weeks with my daughter. She was born at almost 43 weeks.

ACK!!!!! That is my worst fear!!

[2boyzmama]

Here's my mom's story from her second pregnancy:

She went into labor at 22 weeks, bloody show, dilation, regular contractions, everything. Obviously bad, was in the hospital for a week or so. They got her labor to stop eventually, she left and was 4 cm dilated.

Contractions continued at home irregular, she was on Terbutaline (or whatever drug was in favor in 1990) to keep them at a minimum. At week 34 the drs were thrilled she had made it to that point and told her she could have the baby any day, they woudln't stop her labor anymore, she was 6cm by that point.

She went on to deliver at 40 weeks (actually, I think 2 days before her due date).

So she was 4cm for 12 weeks, 6cm for 6 weeks. She's a good example of the necessity for medical intervention, plus the wonder of a woman's body. Even when the medical interventions stopped at 34 weeks, her body still grew that baby for another 6 weeks. Amazing!

She had all her babies natural, her first (me) with a midwife (after that she was a military spouse and had to deliver on base) and believes in all things natural, but even she was going nuts there at the end of that pregnancy! Nor do I blame her, after what she went through at the midway point, she never dreamed she'd make it to term!!!

[melis79]

I was 3-4 cm 90% effaced with my last pregnancy from week 33 thru week 37 when I finally went into real labor. Once I was admitted to the hospital at 37w4d with ctx every 2-3 min and already a 5 my labor "stalled" so they put me on pit (which did nothing) and then my Ob came and broke my water. Once my water broke I went from a 5-6 to complete and +3 in about 15 minutes.
Thats why I am not having any cervical checks this pregnancy because the numbers dont really mean anything and only work to make me more anxious and paranoid.

[madsommer]

Originally Posted by melis79

Thats why I am not having any cervical checks this pregnancy because the numbers dont really mean anything and only work to make me more anxious and paranoid.

Yeah...I wish I hadn't gotten checked at my 38wk appt. At 39 wks I am still 3-4cm and 50% effaced and it doesn't feel like this baby will be coming any time soon . With my first pregnancy I was 3-4cm from 36wks until 39wks when my water broke. I probably would have had an even quicker labor but I got an epidural. However, even with an epidural my son was born about 8 hrs after my water broke, so hopefully this time things will go quickly!

So yeah...the numbers mean nothing. If I am pregnant again, I'll just avoid the checks.

[bicyclingbethany]

The numbers are certainly not good predictors, but I was just happy to know that after so many days of contractions, my body was making progress!

[Carolyn_mtl]

I was 3 cms at my 38 week appointment, 4 cms and 90% effaced at my 39 week appointment, and 4 days later Katelynn arrived after a 6 hour labour - First contraction was at 2 am, she came out at 7:50 am. So, I know the numbers don't mean anything, but for me it did mean a pretty quick and easy - 100% drug / intervention free delivery!

[xelakann]

Originally Posted by melis79

Thats why I am not having any cervical checks this pregnancy because the numbers dont really mean anything and only work to make me more anxious and paranoid.

I 100% agree with this. What is funny is that I "preach" this all time. And when I got checked they weren't looking for dilation. I had a thread about this earlier, but I had a cervical tear and prolapse with my son's birth and me and my midwives were discussing the possibility of scar tissue and whether or not I should EPO to help soften the cervix. So when they checked they were just going to assess the scar tissue.

All of us were totally shocked when we found out how stretchy and dilated I was. And I will be the first to admit that it has been messing with me ever since.