What does dilation feel like?

Echowysp · July 2010

I know, weird question for someone who gave birth vaginally, but I had to have my cervix dilated for me during labor, which hurt like a biitch. So, I never had the experience of dilating slowly.

I'm asking because recently I feel, well, TMI, but sort of "open" inside when I'm using the bathroom. Sort of how I felt shortly after having ds. Can't really explain it, but it's sort of sore and feels like there is pressure from inside coming out. Not to mention I'm feeling those sharp pains in my cervix.

I'm way far away from internals and there are no leaking, but I was just wondering what it should feel like.

ncbelle · July 2010

I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??

Um...how are you this pregnant!

Echowysp · July 2010

ncbelle:
I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??
Um...how are you this pregnant!

So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!

And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.

eesome · July 2010

I know what you mean.
When I dilated, I would first feel lots of pressure down there that was somewhat painful. When I was walking around at 3cm dilated for 2 weeks straight, I also felt that "open" feeling.

mommy411 · July 2010

YIKES maybe you should let your DR know! I know with DD Ifelt like she was going to fall out and guess what I was 80% effaced and 2 cm at 32 weeks....I was also contracting and didn't know it.

Maybe call in the am

grinsandgiggles · July 2010

Has the baby flipped yet? Could it be the baby kicking your cervix?

Echowysp · July 2010

pigtails1031:
YIKES maybe you should let your DR know! I know with DD Ifelt like she was going to fall out and guess what I was 80% effaced and 2 cm at 32 weeks....I was also contracting and didn't know it.

Maybe call in the am

It's not a consistent feeling, but I think I will mention it when I have my OB appointment on Tuesday. Would it be weird to ask for an internal already?

LyndsayQ · July 2010

I'm 3 cm now and I don't feel any different down there. I was 3 cm b/f going into labor w/ DD and again I didn't feel any different, nor did I ever feeling dilation occurring.

Echowysp · July 2010

grinsandgiggles:
Has the baby flipped yet? Could it be the baby kicking your cervix?

Not sure if she flipped, but it feels different than when she kicks me there. It feels almost like I'm swollen inside and it's pressing down.

Maybe this is the feeling everyone talked about with their first where the baby feels like they are falling out. I was a zero cm dilation after a day of active labor, so I never had that feeling.

ncbelle · July 2010

Echowysp:
ncbelle:
I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??
Um...how are you this pregnant!
So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!
And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.

Nope! I was 3 cm when I went in to the hospital but didn't feel anything but contractions.

10 weeks is gonna fly ;-)

grinsandgiggles · July 2010

Echowysp:
grinsandgiggles:
Has the baby flipped yet? Could it be the baby kicking your cervix?

Not sure if she flipped, but it feels different than when she kicks me there. It feels almost like I'm swollen inside and it's pressing down.
Maybe this is the feeling everyone talked about with their first where the baby feels like they are falling out. I was a zero cm dilation after a day of active labor, so I never had that feeling.

Oh wow, I completely forgot about that feeling. lol Yeah, that's probably it (baby dropping). That happened for me around 35 weeks though I think.

Echowysp · July 2010

ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:
I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??
Um...how are you this pregnant!
So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!
And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.
Nope! I was 3 cm when I went in to the hospital but didn't feel anything but contractions.
10 weeks is gonna fly ;-)

God, it took me about 27 hours of active labor and 2 painful procedures to get me to 3 cm!

Yeah, it's going to fly for sure. I'm praying Adam's sleep is back on track by then.

ncbelle · July 2010

Echowysp:
ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:
I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??
Um...how are you this pregnant!
So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!
And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.
Nope! I was 3 cm when I went in to the hospital but didn't feel anything but contractions.
10 weeks is gonna fly ;-)
God, it took me about 27 hours of active labor and 2 painful procedures to get me to 3 cm!
Yeah, it's going to fly for sure. I'm praying Adam's sleep is back on track by then.

Hope things go more quickly for you this time. I swear by bouncing on an exercise ball - helps open up your hips and gets baby in the right spot!

Oh, and I haven't mentioned it much yet for fear of a jinx but Callum has been...gasp...STTN! Not every night but many nights. Whoa!

Now he will wake up at least twice tonight ;-)

mommy411 · July 2010

ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:

I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??

Um...how are you this pregnant!

So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!

And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.

Nope! I was 3 cm when I went in to the hospital but didn't feel anything but contractions.

10 weeks is gonna fly ;-)

God, it took me about 27 hours of active labor and 2 painful procedures to get me to 3 cm!

Yeah, it's going to fly for sure. I'm praying Adam's sleep is back on track by then.

Hope things go more quickly for you this time. I swear by bouncing on an exercise ball - helps open up your hips and gets baby in the right spot!

Oh, and I haven't mentioned it much yet for fear of a jinx but Callum has been...gasp...STTN! Not every night but many nights. Whoa!

Now he will wake up at least twice tonight ;-)

Ditto on the ball. I made the mistake doing this at 30 weeks. I did it because my hips hurt. I swear this has something to do with me going into PTL.

No not to early for an internal...they will check if you say you have the pressure and open feeling.

I didn't have a open feeling either. I was 6 cm when I got to the hospital...

ncbelle · July 2010

pigtails1031:
ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:
Echowysp:
ncbelle:

I never really felt anything "opening" even in labor. It might just be increased pressure - maybe baby dropped??

Um...how are you this pregnant!

So, when people are 2 cm dilated at their OB checkups, they don't feel the dilation happening? Weird!

And I know, isn't it crazy? I have less than 10 weeks left if I go completely full term.

Nope! I was 3 cm when I went in to the hospital but didn't feel anything but contractions.

10 weeks is gonna fly ;-)

God, it took me about 27 hours of active labor and 2 painful procedures to get me to 3 cm!

Yeah, it's going to fly for sure. I'm praying Adam's sleep is back on track by then.

Hope things go more quickly for you this time. I swear by bouncing on an exercise ball - helps open up your hips and gets baby in the right spot!

Oh, and I haven't mentioned it much yet for fear of a jinx but Callum has been...gasp...STTN! Not every night but many nights. Whoa!

Now he will wake up at least twice tonight ;-)

Ditto on the ball. I made the mistake doing this at 30 weeks. I did it because my hips hurt. I swear this has something to do with me going into PTL.

No not to early for an internal...they will check if you say you have the pressure and open feeling.

I didn't have a open feeling either. I was 6 cm when I got to the hospital...

I don't think the ball would cause PTL - I used mine my whole pregnancy and never had a problem. It doesn't trigger contractions, just helps things open up ;-)

tarebear9891 · July 2010

I think it sounds like your baby dropped. I dropped early with DS#2 (around 30 weeks like you) and felt tons of pressure. I felt like he was going to fall out for the rest of my pregnancy. If you are concerned it is probably better to call.

ohfour · July 2010

I didn't feel anything, even in labor. I actually didn't even have any pressure until after the nurse had me practice push a few times. Baby was up really high before I started labor though, so maybe that's why?

Smores730 · July 2010

I never felt anything. My water broke and I was 3cm by the time I got to the hospital and had no idea.

macchiatto · July 2010

I was dilated "to a 2 or a 3" for about a week before my induction. And the night before I got Cervidil so I was a 4 by morning. I never was aware of the dilation happening. I would go ahead and call your OB just to be safe. Hope all is well!

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