Hi all:
With my first baby, I dropped about 2 weeks before the birth and was 2 cm dilated at the 40 week appointment. To make a long story short, they induced the labor 3 days after my due date because of a slightly elevated bp and did not wait the usual 8-9 days.
As for the current pregnancy, at 36 weeks I was already dilated 2cm and the head had already descended. She said I was also 80% effaced. However, the doctors still indicated that the actual labor may be close to the due date or after. From information I've read, it sounds like second time mothers don't have these symptoms until labor is actually closer.
Right now, I'm almost 38 weeks and extremely uncomfortable with the head so far down. I have on and off braxton hicks that can be painful. How many others have experienced these symptoms so far away from the due date? Did it mean that you went into labor a few weeks early or did the baby wait until the due date or after?
Any stories appreciated:)
Nothing is for sure unfortunetly. I have three and all different labors etc. Keep active. Stimulate breast and of couse have ---. My water broke and I was not contracting so my midwife said to stimulate breasts and it worked.
Where do u teach? Good luck!
M.- SAHM WAHM and student!
http://www.WorkingGreenMoms.com
I agree with the others who say that it depends and each labor is different. With my first child, as soon as my baby dropped I went into labor even though I was only at 36.5 weeks. I have heard of other women who were 3 cm dilated for a few weeks before going into labor.
Hi L.,
There is no set pattern for everyone. I have had 7 and I've never dilated early with any of them. However, I did have very strong braxtons with many of them, to the point where I thought I might be in labor. Also, lots of pressure and discomfort from baby being so low in my later pregnancies. I have friends who were dilated weeks early and still spent hours in labor when they finally went in, while I was never more than 3 cm arriving at the hospital and was delivering in just a few hours. So there's no way of knowing. But take heart -- you're almost there. And at this point, they must be checking you every week, so you'll know where you stand. Good luck.
It is very common for women to dialate earlier with susequent babies, but labor to not even start. As a matter of fact, when I went in with my 2nd (4 days before she was due) the nurse actually indicated that I could go home despite being almost 5 cm dialated. Because it was my second. I did end up staying. I think the nurse thought because I wasn't screaming and writhing in pain that I couldn't possibly be in labor. The thing is with my first I had no idea I was in labor. I went in on my due date with my bp elevated. They sent me to the hospital and put me on the monitor and I was contracting every 5 minutes. I didn't feel a thing. They checked me and I was 5 cm dialated. I walked the halls completely normal while other women were stopping and in obvious pain. I felt nothing. Not until they broke my water. So anyways, my point is that you definitely dialate sooner with subsequent pregnancies, but can stay that way for a while. However, I would talk to your doctor at your next appointment about moving this along a little. 38 weeks is definitely full term and they would not stop you if you went into labor. I'd start taking some long walks if I were you. Congrats on the upcoming arrival.
M.
L., my first baby was born 2 months early, so I can't comment on that. However, # 2 was only 2 weeks early- 38 weeks and they consider that full term. No need to worry at this point. One thing that helped was getting on hands and knees in a deep warm tub. It takes the pressure off your belly and helps you relax!
2nd babies can drop into position much earlier and easier than first babies. I was dilated for weeks and my son was right in place long before labor started. I was 11 days late with my first and they induced after a week with my second. each pregnancy is very different and no one can tell what is going to happen when. try to stay patient. good luck
Although I only have one child so my experience is with a first birth, I was in prodromal labour (lots of pressure and erratic contractions which did not result in full labour) for about 2 weeks before my son was born. So, judging by my experience you very well may not give birth until your due date or after. Its difficult to tell.
They also do say that subsequent babies tend to be born earlier that the first, so this could be the cause of your symptoms.
