How dilated and effaced were you when you went into labor?

[Tigermom]

I agree... I don't think that is possible, but I'm not an expert on that. I just asked my husband who is an MD and did an OBGYN rotation in residency, and he also said no, but this was his answer, "If anything, you might not have progressed since the last week, and at your first measurement, it may have been closer to a partial cm rather than a full cm, and the same went with this one?!?! So the person measuring might have just said 0cm since they couldn't get a full finger?!?!" I know that doesn't sound encouraging either, but remember that you can sit dilated for weeks and weeks with no progress and then go into full labor the next minute! You can also have 0 and go into labor... I promise

Well it's good to know that I can't go backwards, it sucked hearing something less the a week later. And yeah, I know that I could go from nothing to something without notice, but I feel like I'm not going anywhere and last week hearing I was 1cm gave me a sense of hope that my body was at least progressing whether I felt it or not. Now I feel like I'm going nowhere, and that's how it will continue to go.

I know. That must have been such a low blow If it is of any comfort, labor typically feels like nothing then it's just suddenly there. I know those numbers are awesome to hold onto for hope, but just like dilation, the labor process will come out of nowhere. You'll be there soon enough (easier said that done). I'm keeping everything crossed that your next visit prove everyone wrong and you are super dilated!!

 

[Mushymilkfor2]

That is what I'm hoping for, and I know I still have some time left before I should start worrying too much. I'm just so anxious to meet my baby! It's more of an impatience thing!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

Can I ask, is this something the MW Checks. How dilated and effaced you are (I'm UK)
I have my 38 week appointment tomorrow. I'll be 38+4, and would love to be able to find out! X

I'm in the US, but from what I've heard, most UK midwifes don't check until after you're overdue and they're doing a sweep, or in labor. Although it can't hurt to ask anyway!

 

[babylove x]

DD - 3cm 80% 12 hour active labor
DS - 1cm 0% 1.5 hour active labor

 

[MollyNorwood]

how do they check if you are dilated? Do they put their whole hand up there???

 

[caitlyn2009]

how do they check if you are dilated? Do they put their whole hand up there???

My midwife just uses 2 or so fingers and pushes them up there and then she usually uses her other hand to press down on my bump. I find them fairly uncomfortable so at times it seems like her whole hand is up there lol

 

[vickyandchick]

I started labouring at 4.30am and when I was checked about 10/half 10 I was 1cm dilated and my cervix was 'paper thin' (midwife's words).
18 1/2 hours from start to finish for him to be born

 

[Krippy]

Vicky.... Did you have your baby? Wooo hoooo!

 

[Spiffynoodles]

DD - 3cm 80% 12 hour active labor
DS - 1cm 0% 1.5 hour active labor

Wow, that's quite a difference! And here I am, thinking that because I was 3.5cm and 4cm with my previous labors, I probably wouldn't go into labor until I was at least that dilated again. Goes to show that nothing is predictable in pregnancy!

 

[JustRhi]

Can I ask, is this something the MW Checks. How dilated and effaced you are (I'm UK)
I have my 38 week appointment tomorrow. I'll be 38+4, and would love to be able to find out! X

I'm in the US, but from what I've heard, most UK midwifes don't check until after you're overdue and they're doing a sweep, or in labor. Although it can't hurt to ask anyway!

Thanks lovey. Midwife today so may have to ask her x

 

[Rickles]

Can I ask, is this something the MW Checks. How dilated and effaced you are (I'm UK)
I have my 38 week appointment tomorrow. I'll be 38+4, and would love to be able to find out! X

I'm in the US, but from what I've heard, most UK midwifes don't check until after you're overdue and they're doing a sweep, or in labor. Although it can't hurt to ask anyway!

Thanks lovey. Midwife today so may have to ask her x

Hmm - the UK generally don't check until 40 weeks plus - the view here is the less hands up there the better as they don't want to introduce new bacteria / risk infection.

I have only ever been checked in labour. (And trust me, it's not that nice so a bit easier with gas and air!). As the others have said it makes no real difference as to when you are about to go into labour. I was also told by my midwife not to check myself... I know the US is totally different but it's like the HCG testing in the first tri - each country is different.

OP - when I went in for my induction I was 3cm and she said my cervix was paper thin (no idea what that means!) On the plus side I hadn't felt a thing so was advised with this baby to go straight in when it starts to hurt!

xx

 

[mummy2_1]

Don't be disheartened by other ppls experiences. Every women, pregnancy and labour are totally different. Personally with my son I was 2cm at my +7 day sweep, at +9 I was 4-5 cm 50% effaced. 12 hours later I was 6cm and still 50%. Started pushing at 8cm. My lb was born nearly four hours after. Am sure next time it will be different again.

 

[Sunseal]

I wish I could feel my cervix, honestly if I found it I'm not sure I'd know what I was feeling anyway but I can't even seem to reach it, which is quite disheartening!

 

[babylove x]

DD - 3cm 80% 12 hour active labor
DS - 1cm 0% 1.5 hour active labor

Wow, that's quite a difference! And here I am, thinking that because I was 3.5cm and 4cm with my previous labors, I probably wouldn't go into labor until I was at least that dilated again. Goes to show that nothing is predictable in pregnancy!

I thought the same things for the same reasons!!! I thought for sure if go over as I did with dd, I went into labor 4 days late.. But he came 8 days early! it truly is unpredictable.

 

[junebaby08]

I was 4cm and had my section 15 mins later, but had contractions for 13 hrs prior

 

[mammag]

I was 1 cm and 50% effaced on a Monday, my water broke that Friday.