(I used the search bar but didn't see a thread about this. Sorry if it is a duplicate).
I am 36 weeks and went in for my appointment yesterday afternoon. This was the first time I was checked and my doctor told me I was 1 cm dilated and 40% effaced. She also said she could feel the baby's head! How amazing! After my appointment I had some spotting and contractions, but she warned me and said it was normal and to be expected.
*Just curious as to where you all are in regards to dilation and effacement!?
*Experienced moms, how did you progress at the end when checked weekly?! How soon did labor start?!
It's so exciting and I keep thinking about all of you! I don't write on here often, but read daily!
Re: Dilation and Effacement
This time 35/5-3cm/75%, 36/4-3cm didn't tell me effacement
With DS I didn't dilate until 2 days before I had him. Dr. said the first go around you really work for every cm.
All pregnancies are difference so you can't really estimate when labor will begin based off of this. Some people walk around dilated for weeks. Others go from 0-10 in hours.
With my 3rd I was NEVER checked, not even when I got to my birthing center in full labor. I was in my third stage of labor when I arrived so they didn't feel the need to see if I dialated.
Pretty much the moral of the story is baby is going to pretty much come when they are ready and you can walk around dialated for weeks or go into labor and quickly dialate. I wouldn't put too much thought into it or it's going to feel like it's taking forever for LO to get here.
I keep having contractions here and there but I'm definitely ready to have this baby!!!
DD2- I've been just under 2cm since 31 weeks and I am now 35w2d.
They never mention effacement.
I went into L&D this afternoon. I was having consistent and regular contractions. They were about 3-5 mins apart. I was about 80% sure I was going in to have this baby.
She didn't tell me anything about being effaced. The only thing she said "You're only dilated to 1, honey". She was really nice and sympathetic, but I wanted to kick her in the head. That was HORRIBLE news. My OB said I should go home and take it easy. Ugghhh!!'
I'm being induced in 15 days for my personal health issues anyway, but OMG with these contractions! And only at 1cm?
*sigh*
Good luck ladies!!
Did your stomach hurt a little while they checked?? Mine hurt for a good 5 minutes after my OB checked.. And while she was checking it make me extremely uncomfortable and my stomach started to hurt.. Not like "oh my I feel sick" but it was noticeable upset stomach feeling..
I was checked for the first time yesterday (at my 36w appointment) and the doc said my cervix is "tightly closed"...so no dilation here yet. She didn't mention anything about effacement. Guess LO won't be making an appearance imminently (thankfully)!
Sometimes I really wish there was a clearer indication of just how much time is left at this point.
Don't get to discouraged, with my first 2 I was in full labor, contractions were a min or two apart and when the hospital checked me I was at a 2! I thought they were going to send me home! Of corse because my contractions were strong and very consistant they kept me and I dialated quickly after that. But I wanted to punch them when they said just a 2!
Baby Boy born on 1/14/13
Why would she "need" to check me?
My doc gave me the option of being checked bc I had to do the strep b test, and I was thinking (naively, I suppose) that it would be like when they do my annual exam. Soooo, if I had to do it again, I would prob opt out if I were given the option! Ouch!