Carrying low and early dilation

[1babysmom]

Do most people who carry really low dilate earlier than those who carry higher, simply because of the more constant pressure on the cervix? I carried both of my girls really low from the start...by 33ish weeks both times I was about 2-3ish cm dilated, and have been at 4cm well before labor each time, though I still go the full 40 weeks.

This time is no different, carrying baby low, and I'm only about 30 weeks this time but can feel some slight changes in my cervix and can tell I'll be dilating early again (I don't recall checking around this time with the girls so I won't really be able to compare until another 2-3 weeks or so). Obviously this is "the norm" for me, and I figured it had a lot to do with how I carry (there's tons of pressure "down there" from about 25 weeks on), but wondered if it was common for a lot of women who carry really low?

[Ruthla]

I've always carried my babies "low". I never had any heartburn or any other signs of pressure above my uterus, and I always felt the pressure "down low", frequent urination, etc. I had trouble getting maternity pants and skirts to fit, back when those stupid stretchy panels were popular. The panels never came low enough, so the non-stretchy fabric below the panel would cut into my belly. Dresses and jumpers were my friend!

I never had any problems with my cervix opening up "too soon" or early labor. The midwife I used with my daughters didn't do frequent cervical checks in late pg, so I don't know what my cervix was doing then, but I did have a check 2 days before DS was born. I wasn't dilated or effaced at all (and he was born naturally just 2 days later!!)

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

I've always carried my babies "low". I never had any heartburn or any other signs of pressure above my uterus, and I always felt the pressure "down low", frequent urination, etc. I had trouble getting maternity pants and skirts to fit, back when those stupid stretchy panels were popular. The panels never came low enough, so the non-stretchy fabric below the panel would cut into my belly. Dresses and jumpers were my friend!

I never had any problems with my cervix opening up "too soon" or early labor. The midwife I used with my daughters didn't do frequent cervical checks in late pg, so I don't know what my cervix was doing then, but I did have a check 2 days before DS was born. I wasn't dilated or effaced at all (and he was born naturally just 2 days later!!)

Just to add to my question... Did your babies engage early on? Or were they head down early on? All 3 of mine so far have been head down from very early on, and with both of the girls they engaged (and "dropped") really early on, too....not sure about this one yet though. But I'm sure that would make a difference as opposed to a baby who was really low but still "floating" up until close to labor.

[Ruthla]

They were definitely head-down pretty early, although I can't remember by exactly what point. I'm not sure about them being engaged or how one would even test for that. I do know that I was definitely aware of "the baby dropping" at some point during my 9th month with my first- I honestly can't remember if I had the same experience with my next two babies or not.

[mntnmom]

That's been how my last 3 were. I carried very low. Babe engaged early, head down. I started dilating very early, but still went the full 41-42 weeks. I just felt like I had a bowling ball in my pelvis for 6wks!!