50% effaced 0 dilation

Ashlanglois

ftm, I'll be 40 weeks in 2 days. Dr said today I was about 50% effaced and she could feel the head but not dialated at all. Then said we could talk about induction next week if we needed too. Being a ftm and wanted to have as natural birth as I could I'm wondering if anyone else was in the position and had things work out for them. I really don't want to be induced. Anyone go from 0 dialated to baby out in a week? I know everyone is different and there is hope for me but just feeling discouraged...

Liss1481

I was only fingertip dilated at 40w3d (the same at my 39w appt) with DS1 and I went into labor on my own 2 days later.  It could happen.  Hang in there!

Maggie6424

Try walking or hip circles on a yoga ball to help baby drop. But as PP said, you can go from 0 to baby in a matter of hours.

Saragoeswest

savagek7 said:

crawford411 said:

It doesn't matter if you are dilated or effaced in advance. People can go from thick and closed to giving birth on their own in a matter of hours. Don't worry about it for now, but you can consider natural induction methods like sex or nipple stimulation if you feel like trying something proactive.

Just don't drink castor oil and come running to us wanting to know if you leaked anal juices after sex. )

That is such stellar advice.

Lindzoid

Have sex. It might help, it might not. But at least you'll pass some time and do it before you can't for 6 weeks!!
FWIW I walked around dilated and effaced with both my boys, and right now I am 37w... 1cm dilated and 70% effaced...baby is still inside.

vrj0522

With DS I was 0 cm dilated and 0% effaced when I went in for my 39 wk check up. Dr pretty much told me the same thing yours did, except mine wouldn't induce until 41 wks so I had some time for things to change. Two days after that appointment I had a full day of prelabor... I could tell my body had changed, my mucous plug came out and I had irregular contractions all day long. I'm guessing that whole day my cervix effaced and I began dilating. The next day I went into real labor and delivered my son. So yes, it can happen. Doesn't always, but it can. 

melszum

IMO getting checked is such a waste of time and it's so painful. You could be 3 cm and still not go into labor for a week or you could be 1 cm and have the baby the next day. There's just no way to know.

melaniedel

With both, I didn't dilate until right before labor. Even with DS2, I went to my appt, was 40% effaced, and maybe a fingertip dilated. They gave me a NST and found out I was contracting every two minutes, but it was so early I didn't even feel it. I left and walked and walked and basically kept it going. I ended up giving birth 3:35 the next day. gL! It can oaken very fast!

KrissyR13

I am in the same boat.. 40 weeks in 2 days, my 39 week appointment I was told my cervix was open on the outside by closed inside. Baby's head was there but not all the way down. I've been using a medicine ball and going for walks. My OB said she will strip my membrane at my 40 week apt so hopefully that gets things moving along.

Klavanga74

My dr. Said last week what PP's said...she's seen people totally closed go into active labor that night and on flip side, she's seen people walk around at 3 cm for a couple of weeks

Dubsgirlie

With DS, I was exactly 39 weeks, 50% effaced and not even a fingertip dilated. My water broke almost exactly 12 hours after they checked me and I gave birth less than 4 hours later. So, in basically 16 hours I went from pretty much nothing to baby in my arms. You just never know!

atraveller

I'm in the same boat - I'm a ftm, and am 40 weeks today and have maybe 1 cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. I've been told what many of the other PPs have posted - that it can happen just like that I've been trying to go for a walk each day and sitting on the medicine ball (Ironically I don't want labor today as the one doctor in my doctors office who I don't like is on call and so I'm actually resting a bit more today). For me if no labor by Tuesday - when I got into my appt, they will do a NST and if all is okay, let me go into week 41 before making a decision about induction. My closest friend went in two days past her due date with 0 dilation and was told she'd be not going for a bit and then gave birth to her first that very night - so I'm holding onto what other PPs have said and believing it will just happen. One question for the STMs on here about having sex - I'm of course open to it - but honestly sorry for the TMI - we found it quite difficult and difficult for me to enjoy with this big stomach of mine - as no position was quite right. Any advice on that? Sorry if TMI.

Lindzoid

atraveller said:

I'm in the same boat - I'm a ftm, and am 40 weeks today and have maybe 1 cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. I've been told what many of the other PPs have posted - that it can happen just like that I've been trying to go for a walk each day and sitting on the medicine ball (Ironically I don't want labor today as the one doctor in my doctors office who I don't like is on call and so I'm actually resting a bit more today). For me if no labor by Tuesday - when I got into my appt, they will do a NST and if all is okay, let me go into week 41 before making a decision about induction. My closest friend went in two days past her due date with 0 dilation and was told she'd be not going for a bit and then gave birth to her first that very night - so I'm holding onto what other PPs have said and believing it will just happen.

One question for the STMs on here about having sex - I'm of course open to it - but honestly sorry for the TMI - we found it quite difficult and difficult for me to enjoy with this big stomach of mine - as no position was quite right. Any advice on that? Sorry if TMI.

Of course it's not comfortable, nothing is! But try with DH standing next to the bed, prop yourself up with some pillows so your not flat on your back and just do it!!!

suncake

A ton of October mom's that are on baby center are taking Castor oil and are getting results. I'm just following for updates. But I would say at least ten woman in two days have tried it.

Crazy I know. I couldnt/wouldn't try it. But it seems to be working for women who are over due and/or trying to avoid c-section/inductions.