So, at 27 weeks I went into preterm labour and started dilating and effacing. I stayed on bed rest for about 2 months before going into preterm labour again at 34 weeks. When I was examined at 34 weeks, I was told that I was 5 cm dilated, 85% effaced and that the baby's head was visible through the cervix. Needless to say, I'm very close to delivering! lol. They allowed me to go home at the beginning of 35 weeks and I've been home for about a week now. I'm 36 weeks and constantly worried about my cervix. I did all of my dilation and effacement with only mild discomfort at the worst of times and since I've been home, I've been having contractions on and off, plus a lot of general achey feeling in my lower back and pelvis that doesn't come and go. The contractions start up for an hour or two but quickly stop on their own, never coming close to 5 mins apart and my water hasn't broken. But i'm constantly worried that since I didn't notice the changing of my cervix at all before, that it could be dilating and effacing a little bit each day without me being any wiser! I have a doctor's appointment on the 4th at which I will request a cervical exam, but I have no idea how dilated I might be in the mean time! My worst fear is that I will have dilated almost completely without knowing and suddely go into the pushing stage of labour right here at home with no time to get to the hospital, even though we only live 10 mins away.
Has anyone been through anything similar? Does anyone have any advice for me?