Ok She's Beginning to Panic ! Dilated 2 Cm and Having Contrations

I think that if the doctor thought she needed to be on bed rest he/she would have told her to be on bed rest. With my daughter I was dialated 2cm for a month and still stayed active. She'll be fine. Tell her to just keep doin what she's doin until the doc specifies otherwise.

N., I started writing this before I realized that I know who you are and this is your daughter. So I'm editing it and telling you this just in case you've already read what I wrote the first time.

I seriously do not understand why her doctor has not given her more information. Perhaps she was too anxious to hear what the doctor said. Is that possible. If so ask her to give the dr permission to talk with you.

And either of you should be able to get ahold of the dr or someone in her office today. The only advice she should be following is that given to her by the doctor. She can use other's advice to know what questions to ask but she should be able to trust the doctor to know what she's doing. If she doesn't trust the doctor then she should immediately find another one to get a second opinion.

From what I know as a non-professional with just a little knowledge, I think that she doesn't have to be so concerned. 37 weeks is officially considered full term. At 35 weeks she's real close. Time estimates can be way off and so she may actually be at full term. It sounds to me like she's nearly ready for delivery and at 5 lbs. the baby is large enough to be born. It used to be that a baby born weighing at least 5 lbs. was not considered premature. Why is she freaking out? As with any woman who is having pain, beginning contractions and dialation she should either go to work or not based on what she can handle. The doctor will write something for her employer if the employer requires it. Has she made arrangements for maternity leave?

Apparently she hasn't talked with her doctor about her concerns or even told her about the difficulty she has continuing to work. I do not understand any of that. Is she hysterical? Is she so freaked out she can't talk with the dr and find out wht to do?

My daughter is bi-polar and sometimes does freak out and during the time of her first pregnancy she often asked me to go with her to appointments and/or to talk with the dr by phone. Perhaps it would help both of you to feel better if she would allow you to do that.

Dealing with her patient's emotional state is a part of her role as her doctor. So please do not hesitate to call the doctor's office and/or to encourage her to do the same. Being upset will only make the delivery more difficult. It is the doctor's job to see that your daughter is reassured.

Good luck! Being a first time grandma is stressful because even tho you've had the experience of birth yourself it's really different to see your daughter go thru it. As with most situations it's somehow easier to handle it for ourself than to watch our kids go thru it.

Since your daughter is so stressed out over pain at this point I'd highly recommend that she consider having an epidural. My daughter had an epidural during her first delivery which was induced. So did her friend and her sister who has had 4 babies. They all say it's the way to go. However, my daughter was so anxious about not getting to the hospital too soon with her second that she delivered within 30 minutes or so of arriving, much too late for an epidural. She said the pain was bad but she could tolerate it. It helped that the labor was shorter than the first which took hours because it was induced. It does sound to me that your daughter's body is preparing for labor and I'd guess that baby will be here before the 2 weeks are up.

Congratulations, grandma.

I was dialated to 1 cm and having front contractions all night long at 35 wks too. I went in to the hosiptal and they told me that after 35 wks they do not do anything to stop labor and that it was my choice if I wanted to take it easy. If the baby was born it would be fully developed just a little small. I had myself convience that I was delivering soon. Well, I contiued my work as usual very stressful accounting job and the contractions went away on there own until 37 wks where I went to the hospital AGAIN (dialated to 3 cm) and was sent home again. A few days later (38 wk mark) I finally was in active labor (4 cm) and was admitted and delivered 11 hours later. I had a very healthy 8lb 13oz boy. So what I am trying to say is my dr. said that after 35 wks of pregnancy it is okay if you go into labor so if your daughter wants to take it easy she can, if not she still might have plenty of time left. :) Please keep us updated on her results.

She needs to be on bedrest and stop being so active until the baby is born unless she's planning on having the baby early. Because being so active is what will progress the labor. I have had the same problem, but I also had high blood pressure and was on bedrest for 5 months even though I had 2 preschoolers running around the house. And if her Dr. isn't telling her to do this then she needs a new DR.

Hi N., I take it this is her first child.there is nothing to be alarmed for her to freak out.I had my first daughter at 35wks and she weighed 5lbs 2oz and she was very healthy. just because she is 2cm doesn't mean she is going to have the baby that day. it could be a couple of days, has she lost her plug? if she is really worried or confused have her call her doctor leave a message to call her, and maybe you could be there when the phone call comes in then she can have the doctor also explain to you.so that there is clearity.then maybe she will be calm when you explain it. I wish you luck grandma. let us know when she has the bundle.hang in there! ~L.~

If the doctor told her she needs to be on bed rest... then she needs to be on bed rest. it can cause harm to the baby if she doesnt listen to her doctor... they get paid to know whats going on.

the thing is that women go around all the time dilated even to 4cm for weeks before they go into labor this is not uncommen at all if the dr is not concerned than she prob. doesn't need to be, however it never hurts to call the dr and explain the situation and her job again.
now on the other hand if she is stressed out and would like to take a rest before the baby comes there is no reason why she shouldn't unless she can't afford to. it might even be a good idea so that she can have some time away from children and time to sleep before there will be a much heavier demand on her attention and lets face alot less sleep. I had strong contractions for two weeks before I delivered so I took some time off from work pretty soon after they started not because the dr told me too just to mentaly prepare and to go over the check lists. remember this shouldn't be that stressfull of a time and she needs to relax, tell her to soak in warm baths and stay away from ankle massages and I heard lavender scents can induce contractions. good luck to all of you.

She needs to be on bedrest - especially if this is her first baby. For consecutive babies - delivery at 35+ weeks isnt optimal but it is okay.

it sounds like she needs to take off work for a while and put her feet up. she needs to wait at least another week or two, just to be on the safe side. i would follow doctors orders, and hopefully someone can take her place at work. good luck!

J.

There are alot of people saying that the dr. is wrong and your daughter should be on bedrest, first of all unless the dr. is fresh out of med school...even if they know what they are talking about...drs. before they have their own practice, have to for lack of a better word practice. They usually deliver hundreds of babies before they are on their own. With my first I was dialated to 2cm at 35 weeks and she was born at 41weeks and 4days and with my 3rd induced at 37weeks and she was just over 5lbs. They were all perfect, as will your daughter and granddaughter be! Good luck to you and your daughter and congrats!