Can you "undilate"?

anmorgan32

So I had my first internal today at 36 weeks and the doc told me that I was 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. I told this to one of my friends who is due only 2 days before me (she had her appt Mon and was completely closed) and she says "Yea well that can change...". Is that true? Can you "undilate" or get thicker after you have begun to efface?

la79al

Yes, you can 'undilate'.  It's sort of a measurement that is open to interpretation.  One doctors 1 cm may be 2 cm to another doctor and vice versa. 

southernsweetieal

i think its possible to undilate, or stop all together, but not thin out. I could be wrong though.

anmorgan32

Well I understand that it is subjective and could vary from doctor to doctor, but once it begins to open, can it close again?

bluejayway

anmorgan32:

Well I understand that it is subjective and could vary from doctor to doctor, but once it begins to open, can it close again?

Yes, I think it can. It totally depends on your body and a number of factors. I remember reading about some cases in Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. 

whatstalkn

anmorgan32:

Well I understand that it is subjective and could vary from doctor to doctor, but once it begins to open, can it close again?

 I would recommened sex!!!! Maybe it will keep you open and move things along. :-)

anmorgan32

whatstalkn:

anmorgan32:

Well I understand that it is subjective and could vary from doctor to doctor, but once it begins to open, can it close again?

 I would recommened sex!!!! Maybe it will keep you open and move things along. :-)

lol I'm one of those wimps that thought the internal hurt...I'm still sore so sex is the furthest thing from my mind. I want to keep the progression up, but I don't want him to come before 38 weeks (I take my nursing boards July 8th!) None of it really matters anyways...they come when they want to come right? It's just fun to see a bit of progression and be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

jennyslp

I had asked my doctor this question a few weeks ago and she said no, you can't undilate once you start.

Tmakes3

I was actually put on pelvic rest at 31 weeks because I was 1 cm dilated. The doc checked me again at 33 weeks and the lack of activity/sex/exercising had reversed the dilation. So, yes, you can "undilate"!