[blairinargentina]

i went for my 35 week checkup with the MW today and to my surprise (okay, not completely) I am 1cm dilated and 25% effaced. She was surprised at how remarkably soft my cervix was. Although after I told her about some recent cramping and tons of BH the surprise faded into a "hmmm, well that makes sense" kind of look.

i am wondering if i will likely be like this for weeks (it's my first baby) or what? is there a general timeline once you start dialating... like two-four weeks, two to four days? anyone else in the same boat?

would love to hear people's thoughts, dh and i are trying to figure out what to expect in the coming weeks (which would really take a crystal ball, i know

).

 

[myhoneyswife]

I'm 1.5-2 ish cm dialated, a couple weeks ago I was 1 cm. I don't know effacement, but my cervix is getting shorter. I thought I could touch the baby's head in it, I can touch *something* but I kinda doubt it's the baby's head because I haven't lost my plug yet. I can feel babe's head engaged and pressing against the top (?) of my vagina. Not too great with all the real terms...

Hardly any contractions, just BH when I walk briskly or up hills, and that's it.

It's exciting! Feels like something is happening! Wahoo!

 

[blairinargentina]

yes, thing are happening! now that i know it's happening i think i am being hyper aware! have you had any sharp cervix/vagina pain? all these new things, i don't know what to think of them!

 

[huggerwocky]

I don't know, my midwife never asked to check and I don't want to be checked anyway.

 

[littleteapot]

Because I've had a vaginal birth before, it's normal to be dilated some. I pretty much stay 1-2cm from the beginning of the pregnancy onward. My cervix is never hard and long either. I'm always effaced.

With my son I made it to 5cm dilated before labour ever started!! I felt like I cheated!

It left me with a labour that was barely a few hours, which totally blew my mind because with my daughter I had hard labour that lasted 44 hours (I don't count early labour as part of it).

Here's hoping I do that again!

 

[mum2be]

I'm about a pinky's width dilated and 50% effaced. The midwife said she could feel the baby's head!

I'm only 34.5 weeks, so I'm hoping she stays in there for a couple more weeks...

I haven't had any BH, but I do get these really sharp pains in my cervix like someone is stabbing me with a knife. Ouch!

 

[littleteapot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mum2be I'm about a pinky's width dilated and 50% effaced. The midwife said she could feel the baby's head!

My cervix is too posterior for me to do this!

One of the most amazing moments in my last pregnancy was when I was checking my dilation (about 3-4cm, weeks before I had him) and I didn't realize I was so effaced so I ended up feeling a little too far by accident... I touched him through the bag of waters. It felt like silk. He responded to my touch and moved a little bit. It was so amazing... an absolute joy to know that I had touched my unborn son, and he felt me. I'd never before felt so bonded to a pregnancy.
This was especially meaningful because I was not able to hold him before he died after he was born. That moment meant everything to me.
It was just such an incredible thing: knowing that I'd physically bonded with the child that had yet to come into this world, and even though he never knew my arms in life, he knew my touch before it.

 

[jadzia's_mommy]

That's amazing, Babs.

To answer the OP, I walked around at 2 cm for I guess about 3 weeks (at least) in my last pregnancy. I went more than a week after my mucus plug fell out, too.

 

[Funmi]

Hi All, I'm new to the site and thread.

I've been having BH since about 22 weeks. I've been getting cervical checks since then...ouch. During my 33rd week I found that I was 1 cm dilated. The very next week I was 2! They rushed to give me steriods for the baby's lungs and Terb for the contractions. I got a shot right away and was sent home with pills. I'm now 34.5 weeks and luckily still 2 cm -because I'm still having contractions, lower back pain, pelvic pressure. Oh, I forgot to mention the baby (boy) is very low. He's at a minus 1 station. My pelvic area is very sore and sometimes I feel like I can't even walk. I've been on bedrest since week 33 and I'm ready to go nuts. A couple more weeks and I can stop the Terb - (which makes me feel crazy). I'm hoping to make it to 37 weeks or more. I had the same preterm problems with my first child, Daisy, 8 years ago. The doctor said I have an irritable uterus. ? Oh yeah, on top of all that, I've had a bladder infection and UTI! It's been a rough road, but I realize it could be worse. Best wishes to everyone.

 

[blairinargentina]

well... apparently there was a reason for all that cramping! just got back from the hospital after trying to talk my mw into letting me stay home. after being on the monitor for a while it turns out that i had some random contractions. and a raging infection...yuck.

after getting antibiotics we are home now and were able to fend off the terb. yah! hopefully things will settle down once the medicine starts to kick in and i can stay away from any anti-contraction meds. meanwhile the cervix is staying put at 1cm and the baby is still high. the goal is to stay that way for two more weeks (37 weeks) and then see what happens!