Dilation Check-In...

sfoster63 · March 2016

Thought this might be a fun thread for us ladies to get involved in!

FTM here and I'm due April 9th with our baby girl. I just had my 37 week check and the doctor says I'm 1.5cm dilated and baby's head is "nice and low". I know this doesn't mean much of anything as far as when labor will begin but it's still exciting to see things progressing!

Anyone else, anxiously awaiting the arrival of their little one?!

cmjenkies · March 2016

Yep, every single one of us! Haha

I won't be checked til my appt at 36.5 next week, but I was 3cm/completely effaced for about 3 weeks with my first so I try not to get too excited about those early checks.

lreni529 · March 2016

I'm 37 weeks and at 3.5cm as of yesterday. My Dr is confident I won't make it till my due date, Apr 9, but I'm not trying to get my hopes up too much!

Cwyatt2571 · March 2016

Last week for my 36 week I was at 1.5cm but he's also told me I'm measuring ahead so my due dates are either the 7th or 14th. But I will be checked again tomorrow!

WiseUsagi · March 2016

Had my 36 week checkup yesterday and she said "nope just a fingertip" so I'm assuming that means no dilation at all.

sfoster63 · March 2016

@LauraNae528 we're due the same day! Good luck!!

sfoster63 · March 2016

WiseUsagi said:

Had my 36 week checkup yesterday and she said "nope just a fingertip" so I'm assuming that means no dilation at all.

@WiseUsagi I wasn't dilated at all at my 36 week check...exactly a week later and I'm 1.5cm, you never know what could happen!!

sarahufl · March 2016

I am 38w1d and declining cervical checks. Since they don't mean anything, I don't see the point in getting them.

Jules08 · March 2016

I was supposed to get checked last week, but there were 2 medical emergencies in the office while I was there and the two OB's that were in the office that day both rushed to emergency surgery. I am getting checked today after my NST (and doing my GBS test).

I agree with @sarahufl about internal checks not having much of a point UNLESS of course you are high risk / being considered for induction. I had pre-e with my first and have pregnancy induced high blood pressure with this one (along with an early maturing placenta) so they want to keep an eye on my Bishop Score (how favorable my cervix is) in the event that we have to induce again.

momofmanyinthemitten · March 2016

I've never been dilated until my water breaks. No point in me getting checked.

wildtot · March 2016

I was 1 cm at 32.5 wks. I got checked last week at 34.5 wks and she said I'm still about 1 cm (she seemed a bit unsure, maybe somewhere between 1 & 2?). Not sure if I'll get check again this week but I feel like I'm slowly progressing with all these contractions and being about 70% effaced. This kid is definitely super low ouch! EDD is April 23rd but I think he's coming super early.

TKaiser91 · March 2016

I was checked on Sunday at l&d because of contractions. I was 2 cm, maybe 3, and 50% effaced. She said it was favorable for my induction on Friday which is what I was worried about. When I was at my appt on Thursday last week I was only a 1 and not effaced, so not favorable, but still had to schedule the induction for medical problems. Glad I'm favorable now because that decreases my risk for a csection!

Monicagail1 · March 2016

No internal checks yet, but yesterday (35.2) via u/s, while they were checking for some other cervix/placenta related concerns, the doctor made the comment that my cervix was still "long and closed up tight".

I guess this is a good thing, as I'm not super interested in delivering early, but I am high risk and would like a favorable cervix in the event they have to induce, especially as a VBAC hopeful. Fingers crossed!

jonesl12 · March 2016

Last Thursday at 36weeks I was 2 cm 90% effaced and still waiting for progress.

blonde_mama · March 2016

Last week at 37.5 weeks I was 2cm/70% effaced. Gonna get checked again on Friday! Hoping to have thinned out some more

korpatch · March 2016

Told baby was really low but declined the cervix check last week because... lets face it, they don't really mean anything and who else thinks they are incredibly uncomfortable!?! This week my OB will really want me to do it, so I guess I'll find out then... unless I go into labour... Which I really want... but statistics are against me. I just so don't want to be induced!

mrstrax · March 2016

Checked 37+3 and 38+3 (today) - 2 cm and 50% at both. The good news is that I'm favorable for if we were to induce late next week (my OB is out of town 40-41w1) but we'll see how everything is looking next Tuesday (39w3) before making that decision. Heck, I may go naturally tonight for all I know. We'll see.

Good news part 2 is that it took 8 hours of laboring at home with DD to get to where I am now, so yay for a head start on real labor!

imrachellea · March 2016

@mrstrax I have that same outlook on how dilated I am now lol. Two weeks ago I was 1cm and softening (didn't say how much) and will be checked again tomorrow, but all I could think when they told me that was that I didn't have ANY dilation when I went in to be induced with DD1! Every little bit helps I guess

mrstrax · March 2016

imrachellea said:

@mrstrax I have that same outlook on how dilated I am now lol. Two weeks ago I was 1cm and softening (didn't say how much) and will be checked again tomorrow, but all I could think when they told me that was that I didn't have ANY dilation when I went in to be induced with DD1! Every little bit helps I guess

Exactly! I was in noticeable/real labor for about 21 hours with DD (with the first contractions only picked up by the NST 6 hours before that). It makes for a long day, even with an epidural. Fingers crossed this means things will go quicker this time!

mojomama6 · March 2016

I've not been checked by a professional yet, and won't be doing regular checks (although I'll probably allow it next week with some testing, since I'll be undressed anyway). As far as I can tell, I'm only about 1cm, and maybe 40% effaced, if that.
This is my sixth, and I have previously walked around 3 and 4 cm, completely effaced, for weeks before going into labor.

MrsCayEye · March 2016

Only a finger tip as of 36 weeks, but I wasn't dilated at all going in to be induced with DS at 41 weeks so I'm excited for some progress this time around!

olivemomma · March 2016

My ob doesn't do them until 40 weeks since as others have mentioned, they just don't mean very much - and seeing as I find them crazy uncomfortable I'm just fine with that. They did tell me today that babies head feels nice and low but that's as good as I'm going to get for now!

shawnacrest · March 2016

Only a fingertip dilated at 38 weeks today..

klingonboxer · March 2016

37 and 1 on monday, and I was 80% effaced but cervix shut tight. Baby is at -1, doctor says, so he's getting nice and low.

jonesl12 · March 2016

I never find cervical checks uncomfortable at all. Y'all have some rough doctors

shawnacrest · March 2016

jonesl12 said:

I never find cervical checks uncomfortable at all. Y'all have some rough doctors

Seriously though, I had a check today and have been bleeding ever since. I don't mean spotting either, actually bleeding.

kerinsara · March 2016

shawnacrest said:

jonesl12 said:

I never find cervical checks uncomfortable at all. Y'all have some rough doctors

Seriously though, I had a check today and have been bleeding ever since. I don't mean spotting either, actually bleeding.

Is it filling more than a pad? My OB said to call in if it's anything more than spotting. Keep us posted!

wildtot · March 2016

kerinsara said:

shawnacrest said:

jonesl12 said:

I never find cervical checks uncomfortable at all. Y'all have some rough doctors

Seriously though, I had a check today and have been bleeding ever since. I don't mean spotting either, actually bleeding.

Is it filling more than a pad? My OB said to call in if it's anything more than spotting. Keep us posted!

I was check last Thursday. Filled a liner shortly after and then slowly went away. Took about 3 days for spotting to stop. The most I have bled after a cervical check.

erind228 · March 2016

jonesl12 said:

I never find cervical checks uncomfortable at all. Y'all have some rough doctors

They don't bother me either.

jonesl12 · March 2016

I figured they would hurt being that I have been on pelvic rest for 8 months but maybe it has more to do with where the individuals cervix is sitting.
i know when we do paps in the office some are more uncomfortable than others for people due to having a tilted or irritated cervix.
Typically tho when he checks people after 36 weeks i never see a look of discomfort on people's faces.

Edit: because I meant 36 weeks not 46 weeks.
Holy hell 46 weeks ... Lol

boomoolu · March 2016

This week at 37 weeks 0 days I was 3cm 50% effaced (this is baby number 3 for me). I've had crazy pressure today and lost more of my mucus plug...so I think I've made even more progress today. Doctors think I will go on my own before 39 weeks and if not I will be induced shortly after because of medical reasons.

WBORDERS · March 2016

jonesl12 said:

I figured they would hurt being that I have been on pelvic rest for 8 months but maybe it has more to do with where the individuals cervix is sitting.
i know when we do paps in the office some are more uncomfortable than others for people due to having a tilted or irritated cervix.
Typically tho when he checks people after 46 weeks i never see a look of discomfort on people's faces.

I sure hope that 46 weeks is a typo!

AmadorRose · March 2016

jonesl12 said:

I figured they would hurt being that I have been on pelvic rest for 8 months but maybe it has more to do with where the individuals cervix is sitting.
i know when we do paps in the office some are more uncomfortable than others for people due to having a tilted or irritated cervix.
Typically tho when he checks people after 46 weeks i never see a look of discomfort on people's faces.

I'm assuming 46 is a typo because that's a long tone to be pregnant, but I agree. I've assisted several different providers with paps and the one I worked with prior to December was so good that many women barely felt the four swabs after inserting the speculum. Now I'm a little nervous about having to get checked.

jonesl12 · March 2016

AmadorRose said:

jonesl12 said:

I figured they would hurt being that I have been on pelvic rest for 8 months but maybe it has more to do with where the individuals cervix is sitting.
i know when we do paps in the office some are more uncomfortable than others for people due to having a tilted or irritated cervix.
Typically tho when he checks people after 46 weeks i never see a look of discomfort on people's faces.

I'm assuming 46 is a typo because that's a long tone to be pregnant, but I agree. I've assisted several different providers with paps and the one I worked with prior to December was so good that many women barely felt the four swabs after inserting the speculum. Now I'm a little nervous about having to get checked.

Ha yeah I changed it... Was supposed to be 36 weeks.
46 would be hellish

ladylolly89 · March 2016

I don't think that cervix checks are uncomfortable either. I barely felt mine last week. Pap smears never bother me either.

I was still closed nice and tight last week at 36 weeks. We'll see what my 37 week check brings tomorrow!

mrsmtothek · March 2016

I've been 2 cm dilated since 36 weeks, last week I was 60% effaced. Going in for another checkup tomorrow so we'll see if I've made any progress since then! To echo other ladies, these things really don't play a part in determining how soon you'll deliver. But I can dare to hope that they *do* mean labor will progress easier...maybe?! Wishful thinking perhaps haha, its my first

littleredx2 · March 2016

Had my first check today, 36 weeks, 3 cm and 70% effaced. Baby is super low but he didn't mention station. I expected those numbers since it's been the same with all my babies.

thaisac1 · March 2016

AmadorRose said:

jonesl12 said:

I figured they would hurt being that I have been on pelvic rest for 8 months but maybe it has more to do with where the individuals cervix is sitting.
i know when we do paps in the office some are more uncomfortable than others for people due to having a tilted or irritated cervix.
Typically tho when he checks people after 46 weeks i never see a look of discomfort on people's faces.

I'm assuming 46 is a typo because that's a long tone to be pregnant, but I agree. I've assisted several different providers with paps and the one I worked with prior to December was so good that many women barely felt the four swabs after inserting the speculum. Now I'm a little nervous about having to get checked.

Do we *have* to get checked?
I've had no cervical checks and I don't think there are any planned for future appointments either.
From my little understanding of this, it doesn't necessarily predict labor or change management ...?

elasticheart13 · March 2016

We do not get any cervical checks here as far as I know. I have an appointment tomorrow though but I highly doubt that she'll check if I'm dilated.

jkeezy · March 2016

In the UK we don't do cervical checks until you are officially past 40 weeks, and even then it's only for the purposes of doing a membrane sweep if requested.

mumidi · March 2016

I'm a RCS so they won't do any checks, which I'm ok with. Last time the first one hurt a lot because I wasn't dilated or effaced so getting to my cervix was tricky. Even while in labor they were pretty painful because I wasn't progressing.

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