40 weeks and not dilated at all - someone tell me that it's ok?

traveltheworld · July 2012

So at my 40 weeks and 1 day appointment my OB told me that my cervix is still up high and I'm not dilated at all. We have an ultrasound scheduled at 41 weeks and induction scheduled for 3 days after that. But it could still happen naturally right? When I asked my OB, the answer I got back was "sure, it might". Which is less than comforting

Ultimately, I know all that I care about is a healthy baby. But my mom had 2 failed inductions, followed by an emergency c-section, followed by a long list of complications, so I'm not feeling all that great about it right now.

hrock74 · July 2012

I was at my 40 week 1 day appointment and the Dr. didn't check me but basically said she had just checked someone two days earlier who was in the same state as you...no cervix dialation and the baby was up high and she was convinced she'd be performing a C Section on her in the next few days...she said that same night the patient went into labor and had the baby.

She told me this story as a way of making me feel ok about the baby not being ready and she wouldn't even check me internally at 40wk 1 day. My dr's office is making me wait out the weekend and monday they said they'd check and then schedule something.

So who knows...and good luck.

knitstrong · July 2012

Of course you can still go into labor on your own! No harm in trying all of those natural methods of inducing - walking a lot, spicy food, sex, etc. Even if they don't end up working they might take your mind off of your fears?

coromble · July 2012

Ok, this JUST happened to me....have no fear! The worst part is the the mental waiting game. I was induced on Wednesday at 40w 3d and after 7 hours on Pitocin...NOTHING! So she checked me, said that despite not going into labor, I had made some progress and scheduled me to be induced again on Tuesday. And gues what? Yesterday I started losing my mucus plug, so I'm definitely opening up! I feel that it's very possible that I could go naturally, but honestly, being induced was not bad. We had a set time to show up at the hospital, I wasn't in pain or anything and it felt nice to be monitored through it all. So even though it didn't work the first time, I'm willing to wait til tuesday to be induced again. I'm planning to get an epidural, so it's nice to know that it will be ready as soon as I need it and if it doesn't work, I'll also have to have a csection...that part is scary, but even then, people I've talked to have not had an awful experience with that. The worst part of my situation so far has honestly been mental. Walking out of the hospital on Wednesday with no baby in my arms was tough, but at the end of the day, I don't want her to come until she's ready! And ultimately, I have no control over how she comes into this world, so worrying won't help the situation, it will only make me go crazy! Try to enjoy the free time you have for these next few days and try to relax! I know it's easier said than done, but good luck!

Mrs.RockyM · July 2012

you could be dialated and effaced from like 30 something weeks and go into labor at 41 weeks, or your labor could just come on it's own out of nowhere, even if you were not effaced or dilated at all at your last appointment. There's no rhyme or reason! Anything could happen.

AprilAngie · July 2012

I was 37 weeks and high and closed no dialation. dr said to me (this was with my last LO) that I would go late as I always do. Then a few days later I went into labour. dialation and effacement means nothing just that something is happening. However, you can be 3 cm for weeks/months and 0 cm and bang have a baby. This is why many woman & Dr.s dont want to get internals.. really it means nothing..

So to answer your question- relax it CAN happen still even at 40 weeks.

skyejo · July 2012

I wasn't dilated at until I actually delivered at 41w2d.

I would try what you can now to get things moving. I had my membranes stripped but it didn't work for me, but sex, and nipple stim did the trick. Also, is your OB open to pumping back your induction date?

traveltheworld · July 2012

Thanks everyone! That does make me feel a lot better. I've tried walking, but haven't tried the other things. Sex is pretty much the last thing on my mind given how uncomfortable I feel right now, but I guess I can try all of the other stuff.

I haven't talked to my OB about pushing back my induction date. We'll see what the 41 week ultrasound says first and go from there.

Thanks again!

judahsmommy1 · July 2012

Sex is actually probably your best bet right now. If you're firm and closed then membrane stripping isn't really an option. Sex will help ripen your cervix and even if you don't go into labor naturally, the more ripe your cervix is the more likely it is that an induction will succeed. Good luck!

luvndazys · July 2012

This was my scenario....I actually began dilating at 19 weeks...and did not deliver until 41 weeks. You are completely okay! Things can change in an instant! I delivered during the night prior to my scheduled induction....Good Luck!

RockyMtnMama · July 2012

It can still happen...most first time babies are born closer to 41 weeks than 40, so just see if you can push that induction to 4-5 days past 41 weeks and substitute a NST for that.

Did the doc scrape membranes or encourage sex, etc. to get things going?

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40 weeks and not dilated at all - someone tell me that it's ok?

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