34w, dilated to 4.5...

emilynashea

warning this is sort of a rant mainly because in scared and frustrated by being so helpless on bedrest!I went in Monday night to LD for the pain I was having, it turned out those were contractions blehh anyway they checked my cervix and I was at a 23 and my little man had not dropped down yet so the gave me some very painful shots, watched me a few days and sent me home in bedrest and with an appointment to see my doctor the next day about 24hrs later. At my appointment he checked me again and said the baby had now dropped and I was dilated to 4.5 and rippening ?. I was 7075 effaced in the hospital. I guess my main concern is knowing when ill be in labor. Especially since I seem to be progressing as fast as I am and now that he has dropped it could be faster. According to my doctor, ill just know. I'm in a world of emotions and bedrest just plain sucks. He was even a little uneasy allowing me to take showers. Anyone else had this issue and if so how long was it until you delivered??? Was there any "just knowing" feeling you had?? I knw they say animals act weird when things like this are going on and yes I get laid on and starred at by the dogs allll day. Other than water breaking and contractions is there something else I could look for?? I know its unpredictable but and idea would be nice! Thanks in advance!!

sucrets4

Everyone is so different, so I really don't have too much advice for you in terms of what to expect.  I'm so sorry you're here and are going through all that stress.

The good news is that from 34w on, most babies are just feeders and growers.  DD was born at 33w5d and spent 9 days in the NICU and has been thriving ever since.  

I really hope your LO stays in there for a few more weeks! 

LnR70707

Obviously everyone is different, so comparing one experience to the next can make you even more anxious, but I went into labor at 34weeks 4 days.  I went in because I had pain I couldn't get rid of and knew I wouldn't be able to sleep so I needed answers one way or another.   When they checked me in triage I was a 4, 80% effaced and they could feel DS's head.  I was admitted, but I was too far along (gestationally, not labor wise) to give any meds to stop contractions, so it was just a waiting game.  Luckily, my water didn't break for about 32 hrs after I was admitted, so they didn't give pitocin until the very end because contractions were still erattic.  I delivered at 34 weeks 6 days.

Our pets never sensed anything and I really thought I'd get sent home with gas pills. Any all over tightening or pain that comes and goes even inconsistently and doesn't quite seem like labor is worth heading in to L&D IMO.

pooman

I don't want to scare you.  This was my second pregnancy (which tends to go faster) and it was twins.  

I went to the doctor a week ago today at 34w5d and was shocked to find out I was dilated to 4cm.  I hadn't felt a single contraction.   They were sending me to the hospital anyway to check my blood pressure so I don't know if they would have just from the 4cm.

A few hours later - also with zero contractions that I could feel, I was re-checked and was now 6cm.

At this point it was decided these babies were coming some point soon.   I got an epi (required with twin vaginal births at my hospital) was rechecked and was at a seven.  The doc said tell the nurses if I felt pressure.  I did pretty quickly after that.   The babies were born in the next thirty minutes.

So basically I went  to 6cm without having any feelings that i was in labor.  If I hadn't had the epi I wonder how far I would have gone.    

That 6cm was at 10:30pm.   The babies were here by 12:39am.  I would not have gotten to the hospital on time - a half hour  to an hour drive away.

I'm sure I'm an abnormality but there were no signs for me.  When is your next doctors appointment?  Are you close to your hospital?

If it makes you feel better the twins were born at 34w6d and were big and healthy, had no NICU time.

Good luck! 

emilynashea

I live about 45 min to an hour away...another reason I'm worried. I know he needs to stay in but the anticipation and other fears make me just want to have him. I have extra fluid so he has grown really fast. They said he is about 8lbs already. Thank you everyone for the advice. Like I said I know there is no real way to predict anything but its nice to hear your stories!