Please share: dilation and labor - Page 2

[BreakfastyMichele]

jensb, I keep coming back here to read your response; I should probably post it on my fridge instead. It's certainly helped me remain hopeful!

Also, I love that there's a full moon right at 39 weeks for me. My fingers are crossed, as the rest of my body is busy preparing.

[kalamos23]

I was walking around at 4+ cm for 3 weeks before DD was actually born - dilation doesn't really matter! Oh, and it was another 48 hours after I started laboring with her before she was born, so being that dilated didn't help much! You can do it, mama!

[terra-pip]

I was never checked for dilation with my two pregnancies until I was past my EDD...my first was 7 days late and I was 2 cms for days. I lost my mucuous plug and then began having really strong contractions. I went to the birthing center once and was sent home (don't remember how far I was dilated) but I went back the next morning and labored all day there. I never really paid attention to my dilation to be honest.

With my second I was the same...staying 2-3 for days and days. He was 12 days past due. I really wanted to avoid induction so I told my OB I was going to try castor oil...he said go for it, try it. And I started having contractions that evening and decided to go to the hospital next morning (mid morning) only because I was so late, I actually felt pretty good. I was admitted at 7 cms. yay! I got that far without any real pain. I was admitted at 10ish and my second was born at 3:30. I lost my mucuos plug in bits and pieces while in labor with him. A lot shorter and pain free labor than my first...which is typical of course.

[umsami]

I want to second the reco for acupuncture. I was induced with DS1 and I was not dilated at all. So two days before my induction, I went to an acupuncturist. By the time I showed up for my induction, I was 2 cms. I truly think that $50 acupuncture treatment saved me from a c-section... and who knows how many additional c-sections.

[fruitfulmomma]

Are you certain you were postdates with your last baby? Did the baby or placenta actually *show* signs of being postdates at birth?

There are all sorts of reasons that could explain why your body wasn't ready for the baby on the date given. 42 weeks is totally within normal time for pregnancy and some babies just need to cook a little longer.

Unless you were charting and are absolutely sure of when you ovulated/conceived it would be difficult to know for sure that you really were that far along. I have long cycles and probably ovulate later in them. Typical lmp-based edds do not work for me at all. I've had babies from ranging from 40+5 to 44 weeks. Last 44 weeker looked like she was closer to 39 weeks gestation than 44. She came when she was ready. I've learned to trust my body and my babies more than I trust the medical establishment.

Also, anything going on down there has no bearing whatsoever on when you may or may not start labor. You could be walking around at 4cm for weeks or be 0 and have a baby in your arms 24 hours later.

[MsVyky]

Checked at 39+2- high/posterior, firm, no effacement, fingertip dilated

Water broke (well, it sprung a leak) at 39+5

40 + 0 after 32 hours of contractions, 2.5 cm dilated, 50% effaced, baby got tachy and was prepped for ER c/s

[SashaBreeze]

I completely understand your fear.
With my first I was dilated to 2 and then 3 for what seemed like forever. They finally managed to wrangle me into an induction at 1 day shy of 43 weeks.
With my second I was so afraid that my body just wouldn't "get it" and we would have a repeat of everything that happened with the first. I dilated to 2 again with the second one about a month before my due date but I refused to get my hopes up because of my experience with my first. 2 days before my due date I went into labor and I was so happy I could hardly believe it!

For what is worth I have not dilated at all before going into labor with any of my other pregnancies but have went into labor at or just before my due date with each of them. In fact my entire labor with our 5th child lasted just a little over an hour from start to finish. I walked into the hospital and the next thing I knew I was kind of half sitting on the edge of the bed while a VERY surprised nurse caught our little girl!

Hang in there and dont worry, I know and understand your fear but from what I have read and learned from others things usually kick in just fine with second and later pregnancies. You and your little one will be on my mind.

[jensb]

You can do it! Don't let anyone tell you that you can't based on "failed" induction => csec for your first. There may have been other factors that led you not to dilate then (for me, I'm pretty sure it was a mental block - I was happy being pregnant, terrified to have a baby to take care of). Your body has done this labor thing before, it knows what to do. I'll be rooting for you; good luck!

[BreakfastyMichele]

fruitfulmama, my first was definitely postdates. They said I was 16 days overdue, but by my calendar, it was 42w5d. My daughter was scaly with no vernix, and there was tons of meconium. She wasn't particularly large, but we tend to birth smaller babies in my family. The placenta was allegedly starting to break down, but I can't tell you that from personal experience, because I don't know how to assess a placenta.

I'm sure of my date of ovulation this time around, too.

[BreakfastyMichele]

Thanks mamas. I'm still waiting, but this thread continues to give me hope.

Happy weekend, all!

[MsVyky]

Originally Posted by BreakfastyMichele

Thanks mamas. I'm still waiting, but this thread continues to give me hope.

Happy weekend, all!

I'll wait with you.

[BreakfastyMichele]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

I'll wait with you.

Thanks. Hugs are especially appreciated!

[Twinklefae]

Checked on the Friday, and was so high and tight she couldn't even reach it.

Went into labour on Monday.

Also? Evening Primrose Oil - when I went into labour the first time I was checked I was only a fingertip dilated, but 'paperthin'. That's what every single person who checked me said. "Oooh, you are paper thin."

[Mosaic]

I really didn't get any early checks. My second birth, I had some very slight spotting and in-denial-that-they're-every-9-minutes waves when I went in for my regularly scheduled 37w appointment. At 9:30am I was 2cm, and DD fell out at 5 that evening.

Based on my experiences, I'm pretty sure I stay sealed shut until B-day. So yeah, dilation means nothing!

[rightkindofme]

If you have ever had anything 'done' to your cervix it really messes things up. I didn't start dilating until 36 hours into labor when my midwife reached in and broke up my scar tissue. I had been fully effaced for days. It's festive.

[BreakfastyMichele]

Originally Posted by rightkindofme

If you have ever had anything 'done' to your cervix it really messes things up. I didn't start dilating until 36 hours into labor when my midwife reached in and broke up my scar tissue. I had been fully effaced for days. It's festive.

Ouch. My cervix hurt just reading that.