Remind me how inaccurate cervical checks are

[WifeofAnt]

Okay so at 36w2d the doctor said I was 1.5 and 75%.  At 37w2d it hadn't changed.  Now at 38w3d he says I'm 2.5 to 3 cm and 80%.  I know they aren't that accurate but its hard to not feel something about it!  He's going to be out of town for the Thanksgiving weekend (and we have really important things to do on Monday).  I really don't want a different doctor!

For those who did get cervical checks during pregnancy (I'm too curious to say no) how far did you get before labor?  How long after 2 or 3 cm did you stay pregnant?  Do you think labor was 'easier' or shorter if you started out a few cm dilated from the beginning?

[AFWife]

My only experience may not help...I was 38 weeks and not dilated or effaced AT ALL. They said, "See you next week." and I went on my merry way...

only to have my water break at midnight and have a baby in my arms 7 hours later.

So yeah, not accurate at all. I've heard of women being dilated to 3 and not deliver until their due date.

[~Adorkable~]

i think it ranges the whole spectrum, my best friend walked around 4 cm for nearly a month with one kid and never dilated till labor started with the other. the wild variance seems pretty common

how are your other signs if there are any?

i might be a bit of the cautious side this weekend to not bump things around too hard and stay extra hydraded.

[splath]

I was not dilated at all two days before I went into labor (and was 50% effaced).

[hannybanany]

I was 2-3 cm  two full weeks before my dd was born.

[WifeofAnt]

Originally Posted by ~Adorkable~ 

how are your other signs if there are any?

Well I'm having contractions off and on but nothing serious.  Sometimes I only feel them in the front and actually need to poke around to make sure I'm feeling what I'm feeling and sometimes it feels like they wrap all the way around to my back but its not more than an annoying discomfort.  No mucus plug, no bloody show, but I'm thinking I might have a smidge of nesting starting.  I'm re-washing all the laundry that DH didn't dry right.  Maybe that's just me wanting the house clean for my mom though.  Baby feels kinda low this morning too.  Not drop-on-the-floor low but he's heading in the right direction.  My dad doesn't think I'll last another full week, lol.  My intuition is a little foggy.  I don't have the feeling like he's going to come in the next day or two but past Saturday I'm not as sure.  As long as I can make it to Monday evening so we can finish off our to-do list I'll be okay...

Oh and I still have a cold if that counts for anything.  Hopefully my body will be smart enough to let me get over that first!

[~Katie~]

I didn't dilate/efface and had a posterior cervix until labor was well under way with my first baby, had an 11.5 hour labor with him that started on his due date. I walked around at 4-5cm and 80-90% effaced for two weeks before going into "real" labor 3 days before my due date with #2, had a 3-4 hour labor with her.

[kalamos23]

I started dilating at 32 weeks with DD, was 4cm and 80% effaced by 35 or 36 weeks (can't remember which appt it was) and finally went into labor with her at 39w0d - had her 48 hours later. So yeah, dilation doesn't mean much to me lol

[L&K'smommie]

Dilation means nothing to me as well...with DD, I started dilating and effacing by 37 weeks...was 3cm and 80% effaced 2 days before she was born(at 39w4d)...12 hour labor.  With DS1 I was dilated to 3cm/80% effaced at 36w, at 39w was 5cm and 90% effaced...he was born on his due date...so I walked around at 5cm for a week before he was born...tried TONS of stuff to start labor to no avail. Active labor with him was 2 hours. With DS2 I was 3cm/80% effaced 3 days before he was born at 39w 6d...again active labor was 2 hours.

[amaayeh]

With my first I was 2 cm at 36W, 3 at 38W, and 4 at 39W.  I had her on her 'due date' and it was a relatively short labor...about 8 hours.  With my second I was 4 cm at 35W5D and stayed that until 41 weeks when she born.  My labor was 3 1/2 hours.  Mine like to 'hang out' for awhile.  :D  I'm not getting checked at all this time around because it obviously means nothing for me!

[rad]

I only let them check me with my first 2 babies, then realized what a waste of time it was. Both times I had nothing going on at all. Everyone figured I'd go another week. With both my water broke 2-3 days later and my babies were born within 3-4 hrs.