what's the magic number?

miss2697 · June 2013

So reading all the LD and birth story posts, it seems like the doctors tend to admit and start the labor process if you are 4 cm or more. I was wondering if this is a universal number or is every doc different? Just curious as I have my first cervical check on Tuesday.

MrandMrsFireFighter · June 2013

I'm a FTM so I have no idea...

I would think if you are 4 cm with no regular contractions they would send you home. Listening in for other responses!

notaffected1 · June 2013

I'm curious about this also. I've had lots of contractions the last few days and have an appointment Tuesday where they will check my progress. If they've been productive at all I could easily be 4cm

thegoodpotato · June 2013

I think it's a combination of things. 4cm plus contractions I think means admission... 4cm, but no signs of labour means go home and wait it out.

I think water breaking almost always = go to hospital. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

But I'm not a medical professional, and I don't play one on tv.

periwinklebloom · June 2013

thegoodpotato:
I think it's a combination of things. 4cm plus contractions I think means admission... 4cm, but no signs of labour means go home and wait it out.
I think water breaking almost always = go to hospital. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
But I'm not a medical professional, and I don't play one on tv.

This is what I was thinking.

I remember that during my hospital tour they said no epi until 4cm, and assumed that meant that 4cm was their minimum. Any time I've talked to my OB about it, it seems that the contractions are the big indicator for us moms to know when to go in.

Bmore721 · June 2013

I've been 4 cm, 80 percent effaced for over a week, but have been riding out early labor at home. Went to L and D on Wednesday night with contractions at 4 1 1, but they sent me home because even though they were consistent and painful and I was already dilated to 4 cm, the contractions did not change my cervix any further during the 2 hours that I sat in triage. So, unless your water breaks, it seems like the OBs and MWs are looking for consistent contractions that actually change your cervix while you are in triage. If not, they may send you home.

The triage nurses assure me that when it is time, I will know, but I'm a little gun shy about going back to LD unless a foot pops out or my water breaks. I know other J13ers are in a similar boat, but it is difficult to identify when it's time when my "normal" is at least 4 contractions an hour, all day every day.

eggymaye · June 2013

To my OB dialation doesn't seem to matter. If my water breaks or I have regular contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart then I have to go to LD.

lancomechica · June 2013

My doula told us that it's best to go to hospital when contractions are 5 min apart and lasting more than 30 seconds. She said at that point you are pretty sure that labor will not slow down. But FTM too so who knows.

Cookies2013 · June 2013

With my second, I was a VBAC so kind of treated like a FTM....I was def 4 cm with contractions every 5 mins and sent home after a walk through the hospital for an hour and no change...on the drive home tho we decided to drop me off at the house and my husband would run out and grab takeout. When he returned with the food I was in a ton of pain and went straight back to the hospital and had my daughter 4 hours later. Think most docs just evaluate a lot of different things going on....as well as how you are acting and how far you are from the hospital.

kaylakim · June 2013

I've been at a4 for two weeks now and having inconsistent contractions and they didn't even mention having me stay. With my DD I was a 5cm at my apt and my MW stripped my membranes atmy apt and sent me on my way but told me not to go far because she was sure I would be back. Sure enough I came back that day and delivered less than 5 hours later.

jennipalmer · June 2013

I was 5 with DD at regular appointment but no contractions so doc told me to go home and nap. By the time I went to hospital with regular contractions I was 7. With DS I was a 2 for weeks no regular contractions water started leaking so I got pitocin which sucked cause couldn't get Epi till 4cm 45 hours after pitocin. But I fully dialated almost immediately after getting epi he was out about 2 hours later.

Tammyhull82 · June 2013

Bmore721:
I've been 4 cm, 80 percent effaced for over a week, but have been riding out early labor at home. Went to L and D on Wednesday night with contractions at 4 1 1, but they sent me home because even though they were consistent and painful and I was already dilated to 4 cm, the contractions did not change my cervix any further during the 2 hours that I sat in triage. So, unless your water breaks, it seems like the OBs and MWs are looking for consistent contractions that actually change your cervix while you are in triage. If not, they may send you home.

The triage nurses assure me that when it is time, I will know, but I'm a little gun shy about going back to LD unless a foot pops out or my water breaks. I know other J13ers are in a similar boat, but it is difficult to identify when it's time when my "normal" is at least 4 contractions an hour, all day every day.

this... lol this is me . i am not 4cm but have been having reg contract and feel silly going to the hospital.. las night i thought for sure it was go time. but i took some tylonal and went to bed thinking i would be woke in the night with crazy contract or my water breaking... and here i sit with no pain and doing laundry lol.

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