Dropping and Dilating

With my first baby, I was dilated to almost a 3, and baby was very low about 3 weeks before I was due. With my second, I was only dilated to 1 starting at 36 weeks, and she stayed high right up until I was in late labor. I actually felt her drop, and it made me throw up. It was a very strange sensation :D

With my third and fourth babies, I think they stayed pretty high, right up until I was going into labor. I don't recall how dilated I was. With my third baby though, I was due August 9, 2009, and he was born on July 24. My labor started at home, I was not induced, so it was just his time to be born. Due dates are not always accurate, and baby will come when your body is done making him/her. I wouldn't worry so much about your conception date. If you had any first trimester ultrasounds, I'm sure that's how they are calculating your due date, and they are usually pretty good at dating a pregnancy.

I know it's frustrating when doctors blow off your questions, and they give the generic "that's normal" answer to everything. You know your body best, and if you think you're going to deliver earlier than your doctor believes, then definitely prepare for that, because you're probably right. Good luck. I know it's hard not to get antsy toward the end.

K.

With my second child I was fully engaged from 34 weeks and was convinced that I would be early , but actually went past my due date by 6 days. If you have a feeling that you are further along than they say then just make sure you have everything ready. Even if the baby comes now based on the Dr's due date you are almost at full term so no need to worry about that side of things.

Yes it is normal for you to drop and be dilated for weeks with nothing happening. So just go on and do your day to day stuff and baby will come when it's ready.

Good luck

At 30 weeks, I dialated to about 1.5ish with my second. At 38 weeks, I was dialated to 5cms! I thought for sure he was to come earlier than the planned induction, but he waited. For me dialating and dropping early was normal. Good luck!

Every woman is different but things can be similar as well. With both of my pregnancies my baby would drop and I would be dialated to a 4 for a month or more before they decided to make their entrance into the world. Yes it does make you a little uncomfortable but this can be normal. My first child I even dialated to a 10 before I went to the hospital because I had the misconception from the movies that your water had to break first. I was in pure pain but they will come when they feel like it. Good luck and congratulations.

With my 3rd pregnancy I dropped around 34 weeks & was dilated to 2cm at 35 weeks...and NEVER dilated more!! I actually ended up having to be induced!! So, I'd definitely say that everyone is different, but it can definitely last quite a while!!

Yes, I had the same experience and stayed that way for weeks!

1st off, premature labor is often triggered by either malnutrition, esp lack of good quality protein, or a GBS infection. I assume since you are seeing doctors, you have had your GBS test? So, that leaves not eating enough protein in your diet. If you are getting 100 grams of protein daily, you will most likely go to term.
Was your EDD figured by LMP, US or quickening? Is your fundal ht matching your weeks? Why do you think it is off?
With one of mine, I didn't have any periods between pregnancies, so we just figured, by best reckoning, that I was due sometime in Feb or Mar. she came Feb. 20. and looked to be full term. I usually start dilating about 6 months, at a rate of 1/4 cm a wk, until I hit 4 cm, B-H ctx coming frequently. Then one day, my water breaks & a few hours later, I have a baby! Dropping is usually more gradual after your 1st. Lifting heavy things can make your baby drop, and even come out, prematurely, so if you are doing a lot of lifting - stop, at least another few weeks! Best outcomes happen when baby is born between 38 & 42 wks.