Pro Moms: Dilation from 1 to 5/EPO use/back labor? Etc?

effinga · July 2014

With my first pregnancy, I went from 1cm to 5cm in 5 days with no contractions at all. In fact, I didn't feel any contractions until I hit 7 cm, and then they were basically one on top of each other until I gave birth. I just had crippling back pain and no other indication of labor. (From 5cm to birth was exactly 3 hours by the way, so I'm kind of scared I won't have any clue what's going on and not get there in time!)

With this kiddo, doc says I'm 1cm (as of Tues) and he anticipates birth in the next 7-10 days. Which is great and all, but since I don't really have any idea what early contractions are like, I am freaking out. I've been having the same back pains as last time, but then again, I'm due in two weeks and chase around a very active 2 year old and why wouldn't my back hurt?

So anyway. Sort of in an effort to control the situation to the best of my ability, or to ease my mind, or to just research things, I'm trying to see how quickly other moms dilated from 1 to 5. I know for some women it can take weeks and some it can take hours, but I find that people's personal stories make things make more sense.

I've also started EPO and wonder if that helps speed things along once you've already started the dilation process. Anybody?

If anyone has experience in these areas if you could share, I would appreciate it!

SGC29 · July 2014

My personal experience the past 2 times was that I did not dilate at all until labor began. Both times I started having regular steady contractions for several hours, headed to the hospital and was dilated to a 1. They had me walk the hospital both times until I was dilated to a 3 and they could admit me. Labor with my first took 36 hours start to finish, and with my second about 20 hours start to finish. I'm not sure how quickly I went from 1 to 5 but it was a matter or hours, not days in my experience.

This time (as of last weeks appointment) I was still high, closed, and not effaced. However, at 34 weeks I spent 6 hours in L & D with contractions 2 minutes apart that I could barely feel. Thankfully those fizzled out. I've had irregular contractions every day since then. I'm waiting to go in until they become too painful to talk through and heading in this time. I feel like both times prior I arrived too early and I could have labored at home.

allonsyalonso · July 2014

I was 4cm dilated from 36 weeks and had my son at 40w6d. At 3:30 PM the day I went in to labor I was at a 4 and had gotten to a 5 by the time I got to the hospital - 5 hours later. It took another 4 hours before my son was born.

For me, early contractions were a mix between mild menstrual cramps and mild gastrointestinal distress.

thegoodpotato · July 2014

I'm the same as PP. I never started dilating until labour actually hit, with both my pregnancies.

With my first, I went from 1cm (I was admitted at that time, luckily) to 10cm in three hours, so I have no idea how long it took to do the first 5cm. I had been closed, high, and firm just the night before (I had gone into the hospital with false labour).

With my second, I was induced. I was not dilated at all at the start of the induction, and it took 4 hours to go from 0cm-10cm.

It really depends on what your body does. Trust yourself to know when you need to go in.

flyinmommy · July 2014

It's so hard to tell. I think each labor is different. My first two I was induced and progressed really quickly with pitocin and the epidural (under 5 hours). My third I went on my due date and went from 0 to her being born in 4 hours total. A little nervous for this time too.

Justabean3 · July 2014

The problem with your case is most fast delivery moms stay fast delivery mom. I suspect once you start you will just progress and go.

Back labor to me is more radiating pressure to the front and not a general "pain" per say. Also Tylenol doesn't relieve back labor for long of at all.

Justabean3 · July 2014

My SIL's 2nd went from 0-5 in about a week from one appointment to the next and then nearly had hers in the car a day later. She was crowning when she walked in after her water broke in the 30 min car ride. 38 weeks

Her first she was already there for pre-E and her labor started on her own at 37 weeks. Her entire labor from 1-done was about 8 hrs.

thegoodpotato · July 2014

Oh yeah... Back labour. Fun times.

My prodromal labour was more like classic 'labour'. I had pains that were like tightening through my stomach and pelvic area. It wasn't until full-on, all-out labour that I experienced back labour. And then it was like being struck full-force in the small of the back with a baseball bat. It wasn't subtle. From my experience, early labour, even with back labour later on, didn't give me a backache.

I hope you find some resolution... And that you get to the hospital in plenty of time. I knew my second would come really fast because my first did (I had only an hour of painful contractions with my second before delivery). It was kind of a relief being induced, because if isn't have to worry about getting to the hospital.

Good luck!

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Pro Moms: Dilation from 1 to 5/EPO use/back labor? Etc?

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