I need some comforting words

[nova22]

I finally let my OB do an internal check; my cervix is posterior, slightly dilated, and very soft. After hanging out on pregnancy boards for 3 pregnancies now, I keep seeing women get internals at every visit from 36-or-so-weeks until the baby is born, and so often women are dilated and anterior for weeks before the baby is born. This was my first internal check ever besides the 2 I had when I was in labor with DD, and the 3-4 I had while in labor with DS. I have no idea how dilated I was in the preceding weeks, and now I'm worried that it will take several days to dilate, and then it will be weeks after that before the baby is actually born. Please tell me that won't happen. Well, don't lie to me but I really need to feel confident that I will go into labor on my own before my OB starts pushing pitocin.

[mamacatsbaby]

I don't really have too much to say that would be helpful in easing your mind mama, I just wanted to send you a big cyber hug. Could your dates be off at all?

[nova22]

Originally Posted by mamacatsbaby

I don't really have too much to say that would be helpful in easing your mind mama, I just wanted to send you a big cyber hug. Could your dates be off at all?

I was just telling my doula today, this is my 3rd pregnancy but the 1st time I have REALLY been certain of my dates. I was charting when we conceived. Thanks for the hug.

[mamacatsbaby]

Originally Posted by nova22

I was just telling my doula today, this is my 3rd pregnancy but the 1st time I have REALLY been certain of my dates. I was charting when we conceived. Thanks for the hug.

Ahhh....

Well I've got "Come on out baby and see the world!" labor vibes comin' at ya. I certainly don't want to see you being pressured to induce either. Hmmm, I hope some of the other mamas here can offer some insight.

[Snowdrift]

I wa posterior until about hour 30 of ny labor. She was born three hours later. I was panicky bc I couldn't find my cervix, it was so high and posterior. Ellie was born on her EDD despite my stubborn cervix.

[beansavi]

Yeah, babies turn right before birth sometimes, and come right out, They are all individuals. With my third, I didn;t dilate much, but when labor started, he came out in about 1.3 of the time as the others. Very short relatively speaking.

[AugustineM]

Ahh, I actually can answer this question! You shouldn't worry at all. I just went to my birth refresher class with an excellent teacher and she said second or third time moms sometimes don't have their cervix move forward, efface, or dialate AT ALL before they go into labor. She said the second (or more) times around it sometimes all happens at once, right when the mama goes into labor. Apparently the first time around it's very common for women to efface, dialate, move forward, etc. for weeks before they deliver. So you're totally normal! Oh, and the same as me, too! I'm due in a week and still have a posterior cervix, with little dilation, though very effaced & squishy...

It will all work out great, don't worry. s

[DreamsInDigital]

I didn't dialate at ALL prior to going in to labor with my third baby. I was like 41 weeks 5 days and not even a fingertip dialated.
I finally went into labor at 42 weeks 1 day and he was born in 5 hours.
Happy birthing, when ever it happens!

[CrazyCatLady]

Nothing to worry about. Your water could break and your baby could be in your arms in just a few hours after. Things happen fast sometimes in second and third labors. Just because nothing looks like it's happening now, doesn't mean it won't. It could even be tonight for all you know! So relax, get plenty of rest, and try not to stress too much.

[cymbeline]

Ditto what the other ladies have said. With my first, I had an internal the day I was due, nothing, no dilation, no effacement, nada. 12 hours later, I delivered!!!! Very fast labor.

No worries.

[Vanessa]

I'll share too, but I don't think you need to worry. With ds1, I was 3 cm dialated at 36 weeks. He was born 40w1d. I didn't have a check this time until 39w5d, so I was suprised when I was barely a 1, with no real progress. Had another check Thursday, and I was 3.5 and 80% effaced. Went into labor on Friday night, and delivered him less than 5 hours later.

The baby will come.

[luv2eatamango]

Right there with you

Oh Amanda, I am starting to worry too! I have a spirited DS (3yo) too and we are both wondering what's holding up his baby sister. EDD was yesterday and I was just SURE she was going to come early. I had a day's worth of fast and steady BH about two weeks ago and hardly any since. I wanted to avoid all internal exams but after being induced 10 days post-EDD the first time around (low amnio), I am worried about my amnio amount. I have been 2 cm for two weeks now and hardly any contractions. I am encouraged by the pp that said that second and subsequent pregnancies sometimes have everything happen all at once. I hope so!

Good luck and try not to stress too much over this... Easier said than done, I know! Hopefully within the next week, we'll both have our babies in our arms!

Marta

[JuicyPakwan]

Just thinking of you and hoping to offer encouragement. I had posterior cervix as well until well into labor.

[Peppamint]

mama... we have all sorts of starting places, wishing you a quick birth really soon. :

[flowmom]

Hi Amanda,

You are in charge of your body - no one can do anything to you without your consent. Remember that your body is capable of dilating very quickly - no one has the crystal ball that tells when your body will dilate. That's why internals are kinda pointless - they have virtually no predictive power. Hang in there and try to relax...