4 cm dilated and 80% effaced at 36 weeks

ccwalker26 · June 2011

I have been having contractions for the past week. Nothing too bad, my doc has had me come in and hooked up to monitors everyday. I am 4 cm dilated and 80% effaced. Doc says that the baby is coming this week. I do hope he does come this week because my DH is on leave from the Navy till Thursday. Do you think there is any way my doc would induce me? I feel bad asking her this. Do you think he really may come soon? I just don't know what to think. So tired of waiting!

sourapplemartini · June 2011

No, I wouldn't ask to be induced, and I'd side-eye a dr who would induce before 40w unless medically necessary.

Is he serving overseas or just taking vacation?

ccwalker26 · June 2011

He's still in job training. I doubt my doc would induce. I'm just so tired of having contractions and feeling like crap. It's so uncomfortable!

dinonugget1517 · June 2011

I understand wanting to have the baby before your husband leaves...but 36 weeks isnt considered full term...I would be praying the baby stayed in for AT LEAST another week

memali26 · June 2011

At 36 weeks you aren't even full term yet. If your baby comes on his own at this point that's one thing - nature taking it's course. But inducing this early without a medical reason would be completely out of the question, in my opinion.

SPerry0376 · June 2011

No.

I understand you want your husband to be here for the birth... but are you really willing to have a preemie in order to fulfill that want?

Annabelle81 · June 2011

A lot of being a mom is considering what's best for your baby over yourself. I'm sorry you are uncomfortable, it will be over soon. Unless there is a medical reason...no, I would not think a Dr. would induce you so early. I would question one that would.

ccwalker26 · June 2011

No I totally agree with you ladies. I want him to stay in as long as he needs to. Just the way that my doc was talking she is so sure the baby is coming this week. She was adamant that my husband stay till the end of this week so that he wouldn't miss the birth. I guess I am just confused as to what really may happen as far as the baby coming. My doc isn't the best at explaining things.

samanthadarneille · June 2011

I only recently found out that 37 weeks is full term. I always thought once you reach 36 weeks, you're good to go. But what seems weird to me, is that if you were a week or two ahead and you were measuring 4 cm already doctors would send you/admit you to the hospital to be induced.

I think whatever happens will happen soon. But I couldn't imagine your doctor inducing with pitocin unless your baby was in danger.

Woodwife · June 2011

I can see how desperately you want your husband to be there for the birth and I sympathize with your physical misery - I'm having the same experience. But really, 37 weeks is full term and even babies born that early can have issues that 38, 39 and 40 week babies won't. We had 8 hours of false labor this weekend and thought she was coming and I was a mess because I don't want her to have a moment of trouble and to be separated from me for observation, which is required for non-full term babies at our hospital. So I guess I do think it would be better for your baby to stay in a bit longer.

I wouldn't bring up induction with the OB since it would be unethical for them to deliberately bring a preterm baby out without the baby or mother's health being at risk.

No chance of compassionate leave for your DH? Sorry to be ignorant of the Navy policy.

SPerry0376 · June 2011

Ummm...I'm sorry. See, I thought you said, "I do hope he comes this week...Do you think there is any way my doc would induce me?"

ETA: My post is in response to this- "No I totally agree with you ladies. I want him to stay in as long as he needs to. Just the way that my doc was talking she is so sure the baby is coming this week. She was adamant that my husband stay till the end of this week so that he wouldn't miss the birth. I guess I am just confused as to what really may happen as far as the baby coming. My doc isn't the best at explaining things."

jillybean222 · June 2011

I was 4cm at 36 weeks with DD #2 and she arrived a day after my EDD. Sure, baby could come early on its own and would be fine, but that is not a reason to induce in my opinion.

ccwalker26 · June 2011

I've made a long story short with my posts, but he's already extended his leave. I was already sure that he wouldn't be here for the birth anyways. If he's here, he's here. I just wish I had a better idea as far if the baby really could come soon or if I could go another 4 weeks like this. I guess there's no real way to tell.

kmv68 · June 2011

no, you are not even considered full term until 37wks, a dr will not induce you. GL

jessicaclare · June 2011

samanthadarneille:
I only recently found out that 37 weeks is full term. I always thought once you reach 36 weeks, you're good to go. But what seems weird to me, is that if you were a week or two ahead and you were measuring 4 cm already doctors would send you/admit you to the hospital to be induced.

Sorry, but that's not true at all. I was 4 cm, 90% effaced at my 38 week 2 day appointment with DD2 and my doctor didn't induce me (which I was totally fine with).I went another 5 days and went into labor on my own.

OP, I think the best way to look at this is that its 4 less cm you'll have to dilate once you're in labor. Good luck!

Hbowers16 · June 2011

I hope things turn out well for you. You are a little early to be that progressed. On the other hand. I'm jealous. At 40 wks I wish this baby was here already. I hope if you do have your baby early there won't be an nicu time. GOod luck!

samanthadarneille · June 2011

jessicaclare:
samanthadarneille:

I only recently found out that 37 weeks is full term. I always thought once you reach 36 weeks, you're good to go. But what seems weird to me, is that if you were a week or two ahead and you were measuring 4 cm already doctors would send you/admit you to the hospital to be induced.

Sorry, but that's not true at all. I was 4 cm, 90% effaced at my 38 week 2 day appointment with DD2 and my doctor didn't induce me (which I was totally fine with).I went another 5 days and went into labor on my own.

OP, I think the best way to look at this is that its 4 less cm you'll have to dilate once you're in labor. Good luck!

Thats just what they did to my friend and a couple of my aunts, but I guess it depends on the doctor as well.

nopegoat · June 2011

I am bored and lurking...

I was 3cm and 80% effaced at 31wks and I made it till 38.5wks. For my last appt. I was actually 6cm and 80% and they did not send me to the hospital or anything they treated me like it was any other dr appt. I went into labor later that night.

Good luck!

MommySteph2009 · June 2011

I don't think any OB would induce before 37 weeks, the lungs are not mature enough yet.

I was induced at 38 weeks with DS and it was due to his size and my health (blood pressure and swelling)

indytara · June 2011

jessicaclare:
Sorry, but that's not true at all. I was 4 cm, 90% effaced at my 38 week 2 day appointment with DD2 and my doctor didn't induce me (which I was totally fine with).I went another 5 days and went into labor on my own.
OP, I think the best way to look at this is that its 4 less cm you'll have to dilate once you're in labor. Good luck!

Not that it has anything to do with OP....I totally love the bolded statement...thats what I keep telling EVERYBODY when I say I hope I'm dilated at my next appt....and I always get the "It means nothing as far as when baby is coming!!" Yahhh I KNOW.

But it means my body has done some work already! Big Smile woot woot

Baileysmommy2007 · June 2011

At my 36 week appointment I was 3 cm dilated and doc was certain id go into labor soon. Here I am still pregnant @ 38 weeks. I have been 4 cm dilated and 80-90% effaced for over a week (my 37 week checkup). They wouldnt do anything to help me along even though I was full term! Needless to say I am miserable and pretty much in constant pain and it is getting painful to simply walk!

mmhorn79 · June 2011

You guys, chill, I don't think she's seriously on the brink of being induced! (It's just wishful thinking.) She's asking your opinions on what it takes to get the baby on the OUTSIDE! This is the type of advice she's looking for:

Baileysmommy2007:
At my 36 week appointment I was 3 cm dilated and doc was certain id go into labor soon. Here I am still pregnant @ 38 weeks. I have been 4 cm dilated and 80-90% effaced for over a week (my 37 week checkup). They wouldnt do anything to help me along even though I was full term! Needless to say I am miserable and pretty much in constant pain and it is getting painful to simply walk!

So let's hear more like this, cause I'm curious too- what circumstances make you "ripe" for the "any day now" diagnosis?

ShandaLea · June 2011

I was 4cm and 100% effaced from 23wks on with DD#1 and told by several (4+) that it would be any day...yeah DD was born at 38.5wks. The day before I had heard I asked my Dr to just break my water and see if I'd progress, he wouldn't do it even though I was having regular contractions. I wasn't happy at the time but looking back it was best....when your time is right your LO will come

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