Please share: dilation and labor

[BreakfastyMichele]

I'm jumping on the how did you/when did you/how long did you labor thread train.

I'd love to hear your stories about how dilated your health care provider said you were the last time you were checked before labor, and how long after that your labor started.

Here's why:
I'm 37w3d, and my cervix is high, tight and long. I'm hoping for a VBAC, and will be forced into a c-section on 15 July (at 41w5d) if I don't go into labor on my own.

Last weekend, I had a lot of *good* tweaky pains, menstrual-like cramps, and pain in my cervix. I thought for certain that something was happening, and was very disappointed to learn that baby is at +2 with no signs of dilation. I'm trying to remind myself that dilation at this stage of the game means nothing, but I'd love to be reminded by YOU that I could actually go into labor on my own at any time.

Plus, it's still really early for me!

To be fair, this panic is due in part to my being induced for post-dates (42w1d) with my first. I just need to remain confident that my body could do its job this time, without interference.

Thanks for all who are willing to share.

[Mama2Kayla]

I was 2 weeks late with dd. My ahem, less than bright OB was insisting I have a C-section because I wasn't dialated at all. He kept telling me an induction would fail, so I was better off letting him section me. That and of course my baby would be huge .

Being clueless, I agreed, but the night before I was scheduled, the CNM in the office offered to check my cervix to give me one last chance at induction. I ended up being a fingertip dialated, so she said ok. I never lost a mucus plug, felt a contration...nothing. I swear I thought I would be pregnant forever.

I was induced the next day and had a straight forward 11hr labor. She was 8lbs 1oz and fit just fine .

My second was almost 3 weeks late. I had a homebirth and just waited for him to come on his own. I lost some mucus plug a few days before, but was only dialated 1-2 cm before labor began.

It could happen anytime!! Hang in there mama

[Terrilein]

With my dd my Ob/Gyn, midwife and myself all thought I'd be going over my due date. My cervix was hard as a rock and tightly closed. Also, I had zero pregnancy complaints. I felt great! That was the last time I saw my Ob/Gyn before birth - contractions started that evening and dd was born 2 days later.

[Alyantavid]

With my first, I was checked at 37 weeks and was dilated to 2 cm. I went into labor 4 days later.

With my second, I was checked at 35 weeks and was dilated to 3 cm. 36 weeks, 4 cm; 37 weeks, 5 cm. I went into labor just over 38 weeks.

[Kelly1101]

At 36 weeks 0 days I was 1.5 cm, low and about 50% effaced. My water broke four days later.

[Lauren31]

At 40 weeks I was O cm dilated, O cm effaced, my water had started to leak though and my contractions started about 1 day later but they started VERY uneven, still 0 cm dilated. Baby was born naturally 4 hours later. Crazy fast.

[YvonneC-M]

At my 37-week appointment, I was not at all dilated. (By my calculations, I was actually 39 weeks along.) The very next day I started having regular contractions and gave birth 3 days later. I never saw my mucus plug and my water was broken at the hospital.

[BreakfastyMichele]

Thanks, mamas.

I keep reminding myself that my body may be able to do it this time (and that I don't *definitely* have until 15 July to prepare for the babe!!!!) but I definitely need the encouragement!

[foodmachine]

The first time I had internal exam was after 33 hours of laboring (40 weeks+4). I was at 4 cm and stayed there until hour 36.5 when I opened to 10 cm in ONE CONTRACTION . I left my body. DD was born 3 hours later.

Your body is amazing and CAN do this. Good luck!

[momasana]

I was in labor throughout the night, sleeping between contractions. My midwife came to the house in the morning when my contractions began coming more regularly. She checked me and told me based on my contractions that she'd guess I was about 4 cm. Wrong! I was at 9 cm, and delivered DS about 1.5 hours later. I have no idea how long it took for me to open up because I had not had an internal exam before my contractions started.

[kittywitty]

I was always 2-4 cm before going into labor. But I was that way for weeks and weeks and weeks. So to me, it really had no bearing on actual labor.

[wholebreath]

I have no idea if I was dilated before my water broke at 38 weeks with no contractions at 8:30am. I received acupuncture and then went to the hospital about 1pm, where I was dilated to a 3cm. Ds was born 15 hours later.

A friend of mine had a high, closed cervix at 41weeks and was being pressured to induce. I think they scheduled it for 3 days later at that appt. She went from that cervical check to my same acupuncturist and was woken up by active labor at 4 am the next morning, had baby at 2pm that afternoon.

All to say that if you hit 40 weeks and are worried you might look into acupuncture as a way to get things going.

[47chromosomes]

I love to give encouragement! With my first, I went from nothin', but *maybe* a bit of effacement at my 38 week appointment (and the midwife and I figured I would be pregnant for at least a couple more weeks) to holding my baby in my arms not 60 hours later. Labor was a straight forward 12 or so hours with no pre-labor contractions, no bloody show, no water breaking. It just started early one morning, and kept it up until I had a baby. I hope the same scenario for you, and soon!

[jessica_s]

I was 3cm dilated for 3 weeks, birthed 8 days post EDD. SO not any indication that labor was coming soon at all!

[jensb]

My first was just like yours - 42 w, failed induction and a csection. In my 2nd pg, my OB didn't think I would go into labor on my own or have very effective contractions.I had lots of crampy contractions starting at 35 weeks. I did start dilating by then, though, but things really didn't happen until 39 weeks. I started having BH that I thought were really strong; 8 hours later I pushed my baby out. You can do it, despite your history with the first one. It doesn't mean you're broken and can't labor right. Plus, if you were induced, your body has already been through "labor" once and "remembers" what to do.

Good luck with your VBAC. Here's hoping for a 39 weeker for you, too!

[phathui5]

I'm hoping for a VBAC, and will be forced into a c-section on 15 July (at 41w5d) if I don't go into labor on my own.

PSA: I know it can be hard to stand up to a care provider, but please remember that you are the consumer here and are paying them for a service. While it's good to have the provider available for their advice and experience, the decision as to if and when you have surgery is your's and your's alone.

[Just1More]

I went from ZERO to BABY in 6 hours with my last one. Don't stress it.

[crittersmom]

I walk around for weeks at 4cm before labor starts and I have regular timeable contractions too.Once I realize that labor has finally started for real it takes off and is super fast. Some babys are supposed to cook longer its whats normal 40 weeks isn't a set in stone deal especially since conception 9unless it was a petri dish) isn't set in stone either.Smile and nod at your Dr and keep track of how you feel and how the baby feels, ask for NSTs( drink some water before) if you or others are worried.Dont let anymore hands other than you or DH near your cervix since it raises the risk of infections(even with gloves!) and accidentally breaking your waters before the rest of your body is ready.Most of the time dialation doesn't tell much before labor starts.Get a nice big exercise ball and bounce around on it, it helps soothe any achey muscles and helps baby engage better.
Easy birthing to you!!

[BreakfastyMichele]

Thanks mamas! You're making me feel much better. (Still not well enough to sleep through the night again, grumble, but well enough that the panic is fading.)

Originally Posted by jensb

My first was just like yours - 42 w, failed induction and a csection. In my 2nd pg, my OB didn't think I would go into labor on my own or have very effective contractions.I had lots of crampy contractions starting at 35 weeks. I did start dilating by then, though, but things really didn't happen until 39 weeks. I started having BH that I thought were really strong; 8 hours later I pushed my baby out. You can do it, despite your history with the first one.

Oh, that is precisely what I wanted to read! And I sent that text immediately to my husband. I am now full of hope--THANK YOU!

Originally Posted by phathui5

PSA: I know it can be hard to stand up to a care provider, but please remember that you are the consumer here and are paying them for a service. While it's good to have the provider available for their advice and experience, the decision as to if and when you have surgery is your's and your's alone.

I needed to be reminded of that, too. I'm pretty much a stickler for rules and following professionals' guidance. While I'm pleased that they'll let me go to almost 42 weeks (and yes, I'm certain of my dates,) you're putting me in a good headspace. It's good to remember that I have other options if there's no baby when the dreaded day arrives.

[MyFullHouse]

I sometimes feel like I'm *always* 1cm, lol. That's been the consensus with all 4 babies. I've had 2 elective inductions (40w and 41w), a SROM at 40w1d, and a 42 weeker. Still, always at 1cm until active labor!