how early for normal dilation and pelvic pressure

[snugglebug14]

With ds I don't remember having these symptoms untill closer to like 38 weeks. I will be 33 weeks tomorrow. I have been having some contractions that are strong and somewhat painful either in my back or low pelvic area. I am dilated to 1 1/2-2 cm and pretty soft and squishy. The past couple of days I have started having some achy pelvic pressure. My midwives said that it's kind of pre-preterm labor since I'm not actually in active labor at all. They have me on "modified bedrest". With ds I had a csec and only dilated to 4 cm. I know many 2nd time moms are always a little bit dilated but this dilation began when the strong contractions/backache started. Maybe like a week before all of this I was very firm and completely closed. Just wondering if this is "normal" third trimester stuff or if it is really happening earlier than it should. Thanks so much

[courtenay_e]

I had cervix changing labor for six weeks before each of my kids was born. I have friends and clients with the same experiences. But, when you go into active labor, you'll know it! I started at 33 weeks with dd and 31 weeks with ds. Dd was born after 8 hours of active labor at 39 weeks and ds was born after 4 hours of active labor at exactly 37 weeks. I was moving furniture, having sex, walking a few miles every day,etc with both pregnancies. Now, that's not to say you shouldn't follow "orders" until you're considered term...but the liklihood is that it's just prodromal labor and you'll be in active labor at term!

[MsBlack]

If I were your midwife, I would not consider that degree of dilation to be bad...but I would be investigating the possible reasons for contractions like that, at that stage. Are you sure you're getting enough: food, fluids, rest? Are you doing too much, on your feet too much, over exerting yourself such as lifting too heavy of things? Are there big stressors in your life right now (or too many small ones)? Is it possible you have an undiagnosed UTI or other underlying infection, including a dental infection? (if infection seems a possibility, some labs could help to determine this)

While I might not be 'worried', I would be concerned enough to ask those questions to rule out true preterm labor. Bedrest is not necessarily a good idea, and has its own risks--although modified bedrest may be just the thing if you are indeed short enough of good rest that your body is trying to reduce your 'workload' by trying to get the baby out sooner than baby is ready for. A pregnant woman simply MUST have enough food, fluid, rest, peace of mind, etc, to carry to term because pregnancy is a lot of work for the body. Remember that stress is another form of work for the body that does consume calories and nutrients, as well as cutting into good rest-- meaning that what 'might be enough' for healthy pregnancy for a non-stressed mom, might NOT be enough for a mom under stress by way of food, rest, fluids. When your body does not have enough to support YOUR health AND the baby's, then it will try to get rid of some part of the work--in this case, letting go of baby too soon.

I hope this helps you figure this out...

[Alison Cole]

:

Well-said.