I'm always amazed when I read posts from those who are dilated to 2, 3 or even 5 cm days or longer before baby comes. And I'm more amazed when I read that early labor to 4-5 cm can go unnoticed by the mother over a period of days.
For me to get to 4-5 cm is a MAJOR ordeal. Each time was. I guess I'm one of those that has only BH (although they are almost constant by now) and a handful of painful CX every day until the real thing starts. I am never effaced very much and never dilated at ALL before hard labor starts. Usually once hard CX start, it takes all day of labor to get to 4 or so.
I know everyone is different and each scenario has is pros and cons. Pre-labor that dilates the cervix can make for less work when labor kicks in. Having said that, I realize how awful prelabor can be. At least you can feel like something is going on, though.
For me, you'd think I'd not be bothered at all when I hear I'm not even a fingertip on my due date, I'm so used to it. The last time I heard that, baby came the NEXT day. I told my mom yesterday nothing was happening (except the increased BH and some CX). No effacement. No dilation. No dropping. No plug or even a piece of it, etc. She said, "Well, I guess it'll be a couple of weeks." I'm due in a week, so I doubt it. I'm usually right around my due date, although you'd never guess by any signs right before then.
Just curious how many others are like me. I should stop checking my own cervix and tell my Dr. not to tomorrow....but I'm not strong enough for that. Even if it does mean nothing! LOL!
Dee
For me to get to 4-5 cm is a MAJOR ordeal. Each time was. I guess I'm one of those that has only BH (although they are almost constant by now) and a handful of painful CX every day until the real thing starts. I am never effaced very much and never dilated at ALL before hard labor starts. Usually once hard CX start, it takes all day of labor to get to 4 or so.
I know everyone is different and each scenario has is pros and cons. Pre-labor that dilates the cervix can make for less work when labor kicks in. Having said that, I realize how awful prelabor can be. At least you can feel like something is going on, though.
For me, you'd think I'd not be bothered at all when I hear I'm not even a fingertip on my due date, I'm so used to it. The last time I heard that, baby came the NEXT day. I told my mom yesterday nothing was happening (except the increased BH and some CX). No effacement. No dilation. No dropping. No plug or even a piece of it, etc. She said, "Well, I guess it'll be a couple of weeks." I'm due in a week, so I doubt it. I'm usually right around my due date, although you'd never guess by any signs right before then.
Just curious how many others are like me. I should stop checking my own cervix and tell my Dr. not to tomorrow....but I'm not strong enough for that. Even if it does mean nothing! LOL!
Dee
