5 cm and still no labor ...

[Divina]

Anyone had a similar experience? At my checkup, I was dilated just under 5 cm. I have been having contractions on and off for a couple of weeks now, water still intact, lost the mucous plug a couple of days ago ... and still no "real" labor. I'm 41.5 weeks, too, so I'm starting to worry about induction, although my MW is much more flexible than most OBs would be.

I'm wondering if the baby is holding out to be a Pisces instead of an Aquarius!

Anyway, any support, shared experience, ideas would be appreciated. Prayers, sending Light, etc. also.

[Bladestar5]

I had a similar experience with my son. I was only 3cm, but I had no labor signs other than nesting. I lost my mucous plug about a week before I was induced.:(
See if your midwife will let you use caulophyllum. I used it with dd because I had labor on and off for days. The caulophyllum helped me stay in labor. I had her the day I started to take it:thumb I also walked around ALL DAY that day, hoping to stay in labor. It worked 100%!!! I had a VERY quick delivery!!

[candiland]

My friend went to 42 1/2 weeks with both her kids. With her second, she walked around at 6 cm. for a few weeks!!! Then - BAM! - a few really heavy contractions and the babe was born. Thankfully, she was having a homebirth, so her friend caught the babe before the midwife arrived :)
I'd try not to worry too much. Your body is making sure that your babe is done cooking..... it's not unusual for a normal pregnancy to go this long if it is not interfered with.
Good luck!

[Eman'smom]

First off ((hugs)), remember you can't be pregnant forever, even though right now it might feel like it.

I'm sure you won't need to be induced but if so, being 5 cm's already you'll go quick.

With both my babies the midwife broke my water at 4cm's I wasn't in labor yet with either, and I delivered both within 3 hours.

Good luck, your body can do this.

[pamamidwife]

I have two clients right now that are past their due dates - client A is 5cm with off and on contractions over the past week.

Client B is 4cm with no real contractions at all.

It's a race! Divina, I'll add you to the roster and we'll see who births first! :)

[kimberlylibby]

I'm so jealous!!! I had to labor 48 hours to get to 4 1/2 cm!!!

Just think, your labor is going to be AWESOME when it finally kicks into gear!!!

Your baby is going to be perfectly plump and chubbalicious too :)

Hang in there!!

Kimberly

[IfMamaAintHappy]

I was 4 cm and 100% effaced for 12 days with Lily. Drove me nuts. I was so far beyond uncomfortable "down there" when I was that dilated and effaced. The pressure was truly horrible!

My first 2 contractions with Lily were 3 minutes apart, and she was born in just over 3 1/2 hrs.

Wishing you a great, wonderful, easy, fast labor and a healthy baby!!!

[lilyka]

look at the bright side. Once you get going you'll be done.

It seems as though someone here walked around at 8 for a few weeks.

[TurboClaudia]

We have a friend who started laboring on a Thursday, opened to 5cm and then contractions petered out. Baby had his head bent to one side and was not engaging in the pelvis. So their midwife sent them home, where they went about their usual activities until 5 days later baby shifted and his head engaged, 3 hours later her water broke and 3 hours later baby was born.

sending you warm opening baby-birthing thoughts...

with love,
claudia
mama-to-be in late spring 2004!

[georgia]

Ugh! That's exactly why I don't do cervix checks. I'd just get frustrated! That is awesome that your body has already done a lot of the work of laboring. Keep telling yourself your body knows what it's doing......baby knows, too! S/he will certainly let *you* know as well when the time is right!!!! Worry is not our friend:) Accepting the unknown and mysterious---and your great gift of patience is serving you well!!!

Peaceful thoughts,

[Divina]

Thanks, y'all! It's nice to know I'm not some sort of freak of nature--although I guess, if I were, we could make some money off it (think of the tabloid headlines! "Alien pregnancy causes unnatural dilation"! Well, okay, maybe not.) My MW has been very reassuring, but I still was getting worried. All of your stories and kindness are very steadying--I'm sure you all know how obsessive we can get at this stage in pgy.

My first two were born right around their due dates, and my last one was 7 days after, so this is a bit unusual for me. I certainly hope everyone's predictions of a quick labor are true--I'd like to think there is some bright side to all this! My previous ones, while well within normal range, were rather long.

Although they're still irregular (ranging from every 10 min to one or two an hour), the contractions are getting much stronger. I think I'll go take a walk to the library and see if that settles them down at all. (DP is worried that my water will break at the library. I told him, if it does, I'll call and he can drive the 2 blocks to come get me!)