Dilated without contractions

[waterlily13]

So, I went to my 36 weeks appointment last week and found out that I was 1 cm dilated and my OB said she could feel the top of baby's head. Then went for my 37 weeks appointment last Wednesday and I was 4 cm dilated with no big contractions. My OB told that baby would probably come till Sunday. Here I am, sitting on Saturday evening and feeling only lower back pain and a couple of contractions here and there. But I had these kind of contractions before as well.

So, then I talked to my sister and she told me that her contractions started after her OB broke her water at 8 cm. She said she didn't feel a lot of things until then.

Now, I am wondering, if nothing happens until Sunday afternoon, should I go to the hospital and be checked? I don't want to walk around with 6-7 cm dilated cervix. What do you think ladies? What would you do?

 

[nyllioness]

With my last daughter I only had lower back pain - no contractions. I went to my 38 wk appt and when doc checked me he asked (with surprise in his voice) if i had been having contractions - I told him no just an achey back and he said well you're 5cm dilated so go home get your bag and go to hospital. Once I got to the hospital they gave me the option of breaking my water to get things moving. Of course once they did the contractions came and I delivered about 6-7 hrs later. I'm a little surprised that at 4cm they didn't send you the hospital and get things moving along. I assume that your doc is just trying to give baby a little more time? If it were me I don't think I'd wait for my next appt - I'd probably go to hospital Sunday or Monday to get checked. Worse that can happen is they send you home - if you've been contracting since then you're prob still dilating. Good luck - either way it wont be too much longer if you're at 4cm!

 

[waterlily13]

Thank you for your response. My baby measured at 30th percentile last time, so I guess, as you said, my OB wanted her to stay in as long as possible. After she found out that I was 4 cm dilated (she was very surprised by the way), she sent me to have Non Stress Test to check how baby is doing and to check if I have any contractions, which I did not. But she was very sure that baby would arrive this weekend.

I guess, I will go tomorrow and be checked. My OB is on call this weekend, so that is a big plus for me.

 

[d_b]

I would wait it out at home, things will start naturally when baby and your body are ready. It's not like you can feel that you're 4 or 6 cm dilated if youre not contracting, you would have no idea unless your OB checks.. Mine doesn't check for dilation unless you are past due.

I hear some women can walk around 4 cm dilated for a month! Personally I don't like spending extra time at the hospital, and induction/pitocin do not exactly sound like fun so I plan on avoiding unnecessary intervention and staying at home as long as possible.

That said, you probably don't have long to wait anyway!

 

[Calif]

My coworker was 2 cm dilated (or 4cm i forget) for over a month. Doc told her to stop working out or moving too much to ensure that baby stays in and she doesn't go into labor.

 

[Cherrybump]

I think if your concern ring up and ask them if it possible to get checked out as ive noticed few girls saying they never felt there contractions. My mum also had this with my brother.

 

[Piggie669]

I have been dialated at 3 for almost 4 weeks now.. the only contractions i knew of was the BH.. so now im just to the point i dont know what is real and what isnt.. all i know is some is FREAKING painful..

 

[Agiboma]

If you are concerned go get checked out.

 

[waterlily13]

Thank you ladies, for taking your time and replying to me.

I called my doctor and she wanted me to come just in case. I am still 4 cm dilated and 60% effaced. I am having contractions now, although still not frequent enough for a labor, they are there. She sent me home but warned me to be careful, like not driving the car myself and not being alone outside for too long.

So, we are impatiently waiting for our little baby Sarah Nalan

 

[Steph82]

What do your contractions feel like?

Last Monday, at my doctors appointment, I was 2cm dilated and 95% effaced with absolutely no cramps or anything. Over the past 3 days (or better nights), I have had some mild period like cramps on and off. Nothing really painful. So now I am curious, if those could be contractions. I have another doctors appointment tomorrow, so I will know f I have dilated more.

 

[waterlily13]

Mine feel like sharp pain down from my belly button, but they are not very painful. And also I do have lower back pain since last Wednesday.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow. Mine is not till Wednesday.

 

[lily28]

Your doc was surprised because this is something that happens at 2nd time moms, almost never first timers
When my mom had my sis went to the hospital with waters broken and no pain at all. When they examined her she was already 8-9 cm dilated and she didn't feel a thing, so she was walking around doing shopping and stuff with almost full dilation. Then the 1 min apart contractions started (she felt those after the enema) and she had my sis within 15 min.
Painless contractions are not that rare. They usually just feel like a sore back. You do have them, so consider yourself lucky

 

[pinkstarbinks]

Lucky you! Hope it goes okay xx

 

[Logan's Mum]

Your doc was surprised because this is something that happens at 2nd time moms, almost never first timers
When my mom had my sis went to the hospital with waters broken and no pain at all. When they examined her she was already 8-9 cm dilated and she didn't feel a thing, so she was walking around doing shopping and stuff with almost full dilation. Then the 1 min apart contractions started (she felt those after the enema) and she had my sis within 15 min.
Painless contractions are not that rare. They usually just feel like a sore back. You do have them, so consider yourself lucky

I had this! My waters broke early hours of morning and only got lower back pain. Went in to hosp to be checked and said to go home as nothing happening, to go back the nxt day due to risk of infection. I walked round town for a bit and went home. Had back pain all day and night (in regular intervals weirdly but never pains at the front). Next day at hosp found I was 7-8cm dilated I was still induced though as no contractions could be felt round the front.
Best of luck xx

 

[JillMc]

With my DD I was 3cm for well over a month and then had to be induced when she was over 2 weeks late. This time I have been 3 cm now for 2 weeks and OB says that my waters could go at any moment. The only difference this time is I have had alot of pressure pain and a sore back. With DD I just still felt like a huge giant pregnant whale

 

[waterlily13]

Your doc was surprised because this is something that happens at 2nd time moms, almost never first timers
When my mom had my sis went to the hospital with waters broken and no pain at all. When they examined her she was already 8-9 cm dilated and she didn't feel a thing, so she was walking around doing shopping and stuff with almost full dilation. Then the 1 min apart contractions started (she felt those after the enema) and she had my sis within 15 min.
Painless contractions are not that rare. They usually just feel like a sore back. You do have them, so consider yourself lucky

Yes, I guess I am the lucky one . My OB mentioned that with 4 cm dilated cervix, my labor would not be very long. I hope she is right, we will see.

 

[waterlily13]

Lucky you! Hope it goes okay xx

Thank you! I hope so too

 

[waterlily13]

Your doc was surprised because this is something that happens at 2nd time moms, almost never first timers
When my mom had my sis went to the hospital with waters broken and no pain at all. When they examined her she was already 8-9 cm dilated and she didn't feel a thing, so she was walking around doing shopping and stuff with almost full dilation. Then the 1 min apart contractions started (she felt those after the enema) and she had my sis within 15 min.
Painless contractions are not that rare. They usually just feel like a sore back. You do have them, so consider yourself lucky

I had this! My waters broke early hours of morning and only got lower back pain. Went in to hosp to be checked and said to go home as nothing happening, to go back the nxt day due to risk of infection. I walked round town for a bit and went home. Had back pain all day and night (in regular intervals weirdly but never pains at the front). Next day at hosp found I was 7-8cm dilated I was still induced though as no contractions could be felt round the front.
Best of luck xx

I am scared of being induced. I am planning all natural birth, but with induction I will probably get the epidural. My sister had the same thing, she was 8 cm dilated and no big contractions. So, she was induced and still tells me that it was horrible.

 

[waterlily13]

With my DD I was 3cm for well over a month and then had to be induced when she was over 2 weeks late. This time I have been 3 cm now for 2 weeks and OB says that my waters could go at any moment. The only difference this time is I have had alot of pressure pain and a sore back. With DD I just still felt like a huge giant pregnant whale

I am feeling the same. Lots of pressure down there. I cannot stand for too long and I am already 60% effaced, so my OB thinks she will be here any day now.

Good luck to you as well.

 

[waterlily13]

Well, today I lost my mucous plug I know it does not mean that I will go to labor, but I am hopeful now