Maybe a silly question but. . . ??

[mrscompgeek]

My midwife said at my appointment monday I was 3cm and she stretched it a bit and made it a almost 4 she said. I have been walking every day this week and having tons of BH and cramping so I know it has to be doing something down there.
My question is- I always thought that once you were 5 cm dialated it was considered active labor? Thats what we were told in child birth class. But if I was a almost 4 on monday and all this cramping and stuff going on all week I know I have to be doing something down there. . . So is it possible to dilate to a 6 or 7 and still not be in actual labor? Like I said, It maybe a stupid question, this is my first pregnancy so Im kinda clueless on a few things.

[southernmommie]

If it's your first labor, I highly HIGHLY doubt you will walk around at 6cm. I think that you are getting ready. You will know for sure with a first labor when you need to go in!! It is possible with a second or more pregnancy if you have an easy first labor. But I personally have never heard of a first labor walking around after 4 or 5cm. By the time they were at 5, they were ready to go to the hospital. I hope this helps you. You are not too much longer, that's for sure!

[mrscompgeek]

Ok thanks. Thats what I thought but I wasnt for sure.
I was a almost 4 monday and I have walked everyday this week and the midwife said baby's head is right there really low so you know that all this pressure of walking and the babys head that low that I have to be close!

[Nature]

Even with my first I was dilated that much and walking around. For me its pretty painless until 8cm's or so. And since it doesn't hurt, I don't rush in.. and its been too late before. Sooo... I guess its possible that you won't know when its time to go to the hospital unless of course your water breaks.

Just throwin' that out there.

[mrscompgeek]

Well Im planning a homebirth so Im not concerned with when to go to the hospital. My concern is just that my midwife is 1-1/2 hours away so I want to make sure she has time to come.

[cileag]

Actually, you CAN be dialated that far and not be in active labor. The active labor milestones are for the "average" labor and most women are pretty active at around 4-6 cm of labor, but obviously you're not in active labor now. The most I've seen a woman be dialated is 7 and not be in labor---a lot of times in the hospital, you'll be an "induction for advanced dialation" at anything more than a 4.

You'll get there! I'll get there! We'll all be in labor soon! Hang in there...

[Gremco]

This was my third labor and I was walking around at 7cm. I didn't even know I was that close. Even after four hours of nipple stimulation and walking, I was still not in active labor. It wasn't until they broke my water that I went into full blown consistent labor pains. After that it only took 40 mins to get the baby out. I would take that over going into active labor at 4cm and having hard labor for hours any day.

[fyrebloom]

I know a mama who managed to stretch herself to 7 and then stayed there for 3 weeks. I don't think it's common, but it could happen. Generally what will happen if you stretch too much without being in labor is PROM and then the reprocussions of that (either labor, induction or infection).

[southernmommie]

Originally Posted by Gremco

This was my third labor and I was walking around at 7cm. I didn't even know I was that close. Even after four hours of nipple stimulation and walking, I was still not in active labor. It wasn't until they broke my water that I went into full blown consistent labor pains. After that it only took 40 mins to get the baby out. I would take that over going into active labor at 4cm and having hard labor for hours any day.

Yeah, this is your 3rd labor too. Not your first.

[tayndrewsmama]

Ummmmmmmmm.........people stretch their cervix open?!