4cm, 70% effaced...what would you do?

Alaina117

I went to my dr's appointment today and the midwife said I was 4cm dialated and 70% effaced (5 days ago I was 1cm). She said they don't like to do inductions, but if I'm still pregnant in a week, they'll probably induce me. She also said, "Don't mess around," if my contractions are 10 minutes apart and painful--and that if I go to the hospital now (at 39w3d) that she "doesn't see" them sending me home. I live 30-40 minutes away from the hospital and though we can drop DD off at my MIL's 5 minutes away, I'd prefer my parents come for her and they live 30-40 minutes in the opposite direction of the hospital. DD came 10 minutes shy of 5 hours after I got to the hospital at 3cm (this was with a different obgyn office and hospital). I'm kind of freaking out that they just sent me home--or maybe I'm just being paranoid? And from what she said, I'm wondering if that was her way of saying that when I'm ready to have her, just come in?? (I have contractions most of the day, usually just 2-3/hour until dinnertime, then it's every 4-7 minutes until I lay down--then they immediately stop until morning). I'm worried that if my water breaks, I'm going to not going to get to the hospital in time, or it's going to be crazy-rushed and mgoing to be a big blur like it was with DD. What would you do? Go to the hospital once contractions start tonight? Wait and stay home if they go away when I lay down?

kris_kelsey

I would only go to the hospital if I were in labor, not just because I was having contractions.  Because if they watch you and your contractions stop when you get there, then they will most likely send you home and that would be very frustrating. 

LenMont

I had the EXACT same discussion with my OB this morning. Seriously--I could have written this post  

I started contracting at 11am, I've been about 10 min apart since then and they're relatively strong. We're planning on heading in to the hospital in about an hour. 

If she said they won't send you home at this point, I'd take her word for it and go.

Alaina117

LenMont:

I had the EXACT same discussion with my OB this morning. Seriously--I could have written this post  

I started contracting at 11am, I've been about 10 min apart since then and they're relatively strong. We're planning on heading in to the hospital in about an hour. 

If she said they won't send you home at this point, I'd take her word for it and go.

Good to know I'm not the only one. I'll be counting contractions tonight then for sure. GL! Sending you easy labor T&Ps!

winter-shock

I would just go in when contractions start.  I live 40 mins from my hospital so i get why you are a bit worried. But for me with my first nothing went fast until they broke my water. After that DD was born in an hour. 

busywifey

i would go as soon as they start.

since u are 4cm already and 39 weeks, they wont send u home.

Crossingfingers

*lurking*

I was at 4 cm for about 3 weeks before having DS2, and I went to the hospital after waking up in the middle of the night with contractions. After I had been there for about 3 hours they stopped and I hadn't made any progress so they sent me home. I had him about 3 days later.

It's totally up to you if you go or not, but if they won't be sending you home they may try to start pitocin if your contractions stop. (And that also is totally up to you)

Good luck- you are SO close! 

AprilAngie

Crossingfingers:

*lurking*

I was at 4 cm for about 3 weeks before having DS2, and I went to the hospital after waking up in the middle of the night with contractions. After I had been there for about 3 hours they stopped and I hadn't made any progress so they sent me home. I had him about 3 days later.

It's totally up to you if you go or not, but if they won't be sending you home they may try to start pitocin if your contractions stop. (And that also is totally up to you)

Good luck- you are SO close! 

Thisis what Isay too.  Im also learking...

 

BelleIsa

If it was me, I'd only go in once I was in active labour or my water broke.  I'm a believer in 'babies come when they're ready' for the most part.

Basically, this woman just told you that if you go in with contractions and they stop, they will give you pitocin to push you into active labour.  If that's what you want, well, no one can decide but you.

kjg5445

i wouldnt go until i knew i was in active labor. But really its up to you. Usually when i went in they would check me, monitor me for an hour and if i didnt change in dilation they sent me home. even if it was 4cm (because like PP said, you can walk around weeks like that) 

good luck either way!!! 

Damiensmommy45

I was dialated 4cm for 2 weeks. Good luck, not to scare you but they just told me to come back if I was in labor.

RichInLove

You can walk around dilated like that for a while. I wouldn't go to the hospital until I knew I was in active labor.

thefarmchick

I was 4cm 90% effaced at a zero station for 2 weeks.  DD came out with a bald spot on the front of her head where the hair wore off from rubbing on my pelvic bone.

I would wait until you are in active labor.  I would rather it be a blur getting to the hospital then get there and be sent home or have pitocin.  I am anti-pitocin though...

LesleyT

4cm is nothing. You got a long way to go baby But- seeing as how your hospital is 40 min away...I can see why you're indecisive.  My Doula AND my OB  also said that at night- ALWAYS go to bed....sometimes/many times labor will stop during sleep - so, you may as well get your beauty sleep for when the active labor really kicks in. ...oh! And they said at night- have a glass of wine (bonus!) --Good Luck! 

nopegoat

I went into PTL with my son at 31wks. I was 3cm and 80%. Of course I was put on bedrest but was taken off at 35wks. At 36wks I was checked and was 4cm and 80%.. At 38.5wks I was checked again and was 6cm... I went home from that appt like it was any other. I ended up going into labor later that night and when I called L&D they told me to wait till they were 5 mins apart and lasted 1 minute. I was freaking out because I to live about 40 mins from the hospital.. but I'm glad I waited till I knew for sure I was in labor so I didn't have to stay in the hospital longer than I needed to. 

Its your choice though! Good luck!! 

Asquared

W/ my second- I walked around for at least 4 days at 4cms, then woke up w/ contractions coming quite rapidly- I was told in triage that I was at a 7 and when they checked me they also broke my water. Almost immediately I felt the urge to push- they told me to pant and when I got wheeled into my room it was 15 minutes and she was out.  Would your in-laws or someone come to your house if you go into labor in the middle of the night?  Sounds like you just might go fast and waking a kid to take them somewhere might just leave you having a baby in your car... 

This time around I have a neighbor lady that will come over and wait for my mom to get here if it seems to move that fast again- which I fear it will as well!!! 

04TerpBride

I walked around at 4cm for over 3 weeks with my 3rd (my first 2 were similar and came fast and easy).  I constantly felt like I was in labor and was waiting for it to progress and then it would stop.  The docs were telling me for 3 weeks that it was going to be "any day".  FInally they had to induce me at 41 weeks because they suspected meconium.  You are still a few days away, so I wouldn't worry too much.  Unless you deliver in less than an hour, chances are you will be fine getting to the hospital.  Have you list of friend's phone numbers that you can call to take your other child and help you get to the hospital in a rush if you need to.  Wish I could give better advice, but unfortunately I've been in the same situation and it just sucks and is so stressful.  Hang in there!