my dr was pretty insistent on one today. I'm 39+3days, 2cm, 70%; 2 weeks ago I was 1cm, 50% and she said he was quite a bit lower than last time. So I made a tiny bit of progress, but not as much as either of us wanted. She wanted to induce me Wed or Thurs this week (due to GD), but we went with next Monday. I'm hoping he comes on his own.
@kbrands7 similar experience. Just 3 days before I went into labor I was between a 2 and 3, and it hadn't a changed since the previous appointment. 3 days later after less than 6 hours of labor, I was already to an 8. Things can move fast, and how far you are dilated before hand doesn't seem to be a measure of that.
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
Me too! I wasn't dilated at all two days before my water broke. The checks made me a little crazy and obsessed with trying to predict when I'd go into labor. It drove me to eat 5lbs of pineapple for chrissake!
still 2cm from last week but now 70% effaced up from 40% .. I have never had spitting or bleeding after checks and by the time I walked to my car I bleed through my leggings and now I'm home and still bleeding & cramping
Oh man, I'm regressing! Over a week ago I had an early labor scare and was 2-3 cm dilated. Yesterday I'm back down to 1 cm. I didn't know it was possible to "undilate". I'm happy waiting another couple of weeks for this baby (due May 20) but still sucks to feel like things are moving in reverse.
OB checked yesterday, 36+4, and said I was not dialated but I was 50% effaced. I guess that's better than nothing. I've got time still, but hoping this baby drops sooner rather than later.
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
Me too! I wasn't dilated at all two days before my water broke. The checks made me a little crazy and obsessed with trying to predict when I'd go into labor. It drove me to eat 5lbs of pineapple for chrissake!
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
How many weeks were you when your water broke? I'm 38 + 4 days. I'm starting to honestly just accept that I'll go to 40 so I can stop obsessing.
At 37.4 weeks, I'm still only 1 cm. I was "barely" a 1 cm and 25% effaced last week. My doctor even agrees that cervical checks don't mean much at this stage but I'm facing a 39 week induction so I requested a check. She did say baby was head down and low so hopefully things will progress and I don't need that induction!
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
Me too! I wasn't dilated at all two days before my water broke. The checks made me a little crazy and obsessed with trying to predict when I'd go into labor. It drove me to eat 5lbs of pineapple for chrissake!
I third this from the other side of the spectrum. I was at 4, then 5 cm for almost 3 weeks in total, and even when I was having regular contractions my body wouldn't dilate any further without intervention. Cervical checks are the devil.
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
How many weeks were you when your water broke? I'm 38 + 4 days. I'm starting to honestly just accept that I'll go to 40 so I can stop obsessing.
I'm jumping in with a follow-up here to possibly give those who are worried that they are at the end and not very dilated hope (or scare the crap out of you depending on what you're hoping for)-- before my water broke yesterday, I was around 2cm. Within 30min of it breaking, contractions came fast and furious and I jumped to 9cm. That's two labors now in which I began labor spontaneously with very little dilation; one with ridiculous progress. I'm casting my vote with the lot who say cervical checks mostly drive women crazy.
Me too! I wasn't dilated at all two days before my water broke. The checks made me a little crazy and obsessed with trying to predict when I'd go into labor. It drove me to eat 5lbs of pineapple for chrissake!
40 according to my doctor, 40+2 according to my sonogram place. Doctor did a cervical check today- said it was very thin and then when he was feeling around my cervix to check for dilation, I started bleeding, like I actually felt it pouring out of me- I though my DH was going to punch the doctor in the face lol. Anyway, doctor said its just about 1cm dilated and that my cervix was very tender and sensitive- um yea, I guess when you're poking it like that and it bleeds, you can say that! Anyway, sono tomorrow for fluid level check, placenta health check and biophysical profile, I'm over the doctor's appointments already lol
I was tempted to get things checked today, but my midwife confirmed that at this point (36w5d), it would only be for the sake of my curiosity. She said the only time it's actually helpful to know beyond that is if I'm in labor or possibly need to be induced. She was totally on board with checking for curiosity's sake, but after hearing how uncomfortable it can be I decided to at least wait until next week - if not go without entirely until I'm in labor.
But what I really wanted to say is, I really appreciate this thread and all the updates - it helped me make a decision about cervical checks that I'm happy with, I think otherwise I would have felt like it was something I supposed to do, or read into the results more than I should. Not to say that getting checked isn't a good call for all of you who did, just glad I was able to be more informed about my decision thanks to everyone here
@Pascal86 I totally agree. I got checked last week at my 36 week appointment but did not feel the need to check again this week, which I think is at least partly due to the info I've gotten on this thread.
Finally had a check today. Will be 39 weeks tomorrow and 2 cm dilated, not effaced but "thin". Now I just want to go home and bounce on my ball until this baby falls out. I did not read this whole thread, so forgive me if I am repeating anything, but someone just told me that cervical checks can induce labor? Any experience with that?
@yogahh I don't believe having a cervical check could induce labor, but having a membrane sweep definitely could.
Please dont crush my dreams like that!
It's true. They can speed things along. When I was in the hospital 3cm dilated at 32 weeks they didn't want to check me too often for fear it would make me dilate more.
If you have a sensitive cervix/uterus and are close to delivering anyway, I suspect a cervical check could start a chain reaction that would lead that way. I definitely had a lot more contractions after mine, and while it didn't lead to labor (which is a good thing, as I really needed to stay at work a little longer!), one of the reasons I didn't push too hard for a cervical check at my last appointment was that I just didn't want to risk it.
I would guess it's a lot less likely to be an effective inducement than a membrane sweep (which already only works for a certain percentage of ladies), but I'd be equally confident guessing that it's not a zero percent chance, either.
I had my first check today - 38.5 weeks and I'm sitting at 1cm and 30% effacement. But, but, but...my doctor was very adamant that these numbers mean very little in most cases. He said he often sees patients in his office with little to no dilation and sees them in delivery a few days later. He also said many women begin dilating early and go into labor "late". Straight from the horse's mouth, you guys. It means something or nothing 100% of the time.
40 weeks today with baby #2 and had a cervical check. Been stuck at 1 cm and they weren't able to do a membrane sweep. This baby is never coming out. Losing my shit slowly.
At my 38 weeks check-up I was 3cm and 70% effaced. She said my cervix is still behind his head, whatever that means. Due May 16th. At my 36 week check up I was at 2cm and 50%. Slowly but surely moving along. Excited to meet him but still trying to keep him cooking
like @TXmamatobe said, I think this means very little, but at 39W2d I was 1.5 cm dilated. I'm either going into labor tomorrow or will be 2 weeks late.
38 weeks, 1 cm, didn't talk about effacement, but she said I was soft last week. So no changes at this point.
She scheduled my induction for 41 weeks on May 26th. I'm starting to second guess whether or not I should push the induction date back further. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it though. Baby is measuring small, so it's not like I have to worry about a huge baby. My dates are correct, too.
I was 3 cm at my appointment a few days ago. My doc says that if I get to 4cm at the next appointment they send me to labor and delivery. So I am curious if I get that far without feeling any significant contractions, is it best to NOT go to the hospital? Maybe just go home and labor there for a while?
I was 3 cm at my appointment a few days ago. My doc says that if I get to 4cm at the next appointment they send me to labor and delivery. So I am curious if I get that far without feeling any significant contractions, is it best to NOT go to the hospital? Maybe just go home and labor there for a while?
I'm not sure about the answer to your question, but according to my OB's nurse, she had to send someone to L&D last week because the patient was 7 cm dilated and hadn't gone into labor yet.
Did you doc say why they send to L&D at 4 cm? My next appointment is tomorrow, and I was 3 cm. last week (progressing nearly 1 cm per week thus far, so it's not unreasonable that I'll be at 4 tomorrow). I'm so ready for any light at the end of the tunnel!
Got my first check this morning at 39w on the button. No dilation but cervix is "slightly soft." I don't know what I was expecting but it HURT! Felt like she was dragging a toothpick all the way up my vag. Next appointment is on Wednesday, two days before my due date. Any more dilation checks and I'm gonna start to doubt my natural birth plan
Just to give some hope. From the time I was checked with my GBS swab at 36w I was a fingertip, same answer every week. My final appointment I was 1 cm and 50% effaced. Had an induction scheduled and then bam! Labor started and I walked into the hospital 7cm, bag of water right there with baby's head.
I've been 6cm dialiated and 90% eff, laboring at home with horribly painful contractions every 10-20 minutes for 2 damn days now. Spent a night in L&D 2 nights ago, only to be sent home to wait until contractions are closer together. still waiting. and it SUCKS! I'm hoping to beg doc to consider inducing, but there's no guarantee they will do it since it would be eclective, but these contractions are horrible, and not doing anything!
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Re: How far along are you and how dilated?
BFP 1: 9/15/2013 | DD 5/23/2014
BFP 2: 9/15/2015 | EDD 5/26/2016
DS: 9/18/12 - 40w5d // DD: 05/17/16 - 40w
But what I really wanted to say is, I really appreciate this thread and all the updates - it helped me make a decision about cervical checks that I'm happy with, I think otherwise I would have felt like it was something I supposed to do, or read into the results more than I should. Not to say that getting checked isn't a good call for all of you who did, just glad I was able to be more informed about my decision thanks to everyone here
I would guess it's a lot less likely to be an effective inducement than a membrane sweep (which already only works for a certain percentage of ladies), but I'd be equally confident guessing that it's not a zero percent chance, either.
DS: Born 5-17-16
DD: 05/14/16
He said it could be anytime or it could be two weeks from now.
I've been contracting quite a bit the last few days, but they don't get stronger. Hopefully, things progress in the next couple days
I peeked over the Dr.'s shoulder to get all the stats today
39+0 weeks, 0 cm, 10% effaced, baby is -3, induction date of 5/18
This means zero changes from 37 weeks... and I only post so other 0 cm people know they are not alone!
She scheduled my induction for 41 weeks on May 26th. I'm starting to second guess whether or not I should push the induction date back further. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it though. Baby is measuring small, so it's not like I have to worry about a huge baby. My dates are correct, too.
Dr. said if I don't progress more within this next week it's best to induce. FX things move along faster naturally!
Did you doc say why they send to L&D at 4 cm? My next appointment is tomorrow, and I was 3 cm. last week (progressing nearly 1 cm per week thus far, so it's not unreasonable that I'll be at 4 tomorrow). I'm so ready for any light at the end of the tunnel!