5cm 2 days ago, now what?

[bubbaloo]

Hi,

I'm currently 2 days from my EDD with my very first bub . On Thursday morning, my Ob did an internal to see how things were looking and announced that I was 5 cm dilated already. I think he also did and S&S (without asking! ) which may have contributed to this - but that's another story. Anyway, this was a bit of a happy surprise as I hadn't felt a single contraction and I was expecting the first 5 cm to be slow and painful.

He said that given that I had gotten to 5 cm without feeling any contractions that I should call/go to the hospital when I experience regular contractions 10 minutes apart, as when it all starts to happen it is likely to happen quickly so I should get to the hospital if I didn't feel like having the baby in the car.

Given all this, I figured I'd be in full-on labour within 24-48 hours. But no .

It's now 2 days later, and I'm still waiting and waiting. I have occasional tightenings which I suppose are contractions - but they don't really hurt as such, just feel more like pressure/squeezing. They also don't fall into any consistent pattern - sometimes they start to build into a pattern (around 10-15 minutes apart), and then they just disappear.

Today I've only felt a few tightenings/contractions.

Anyway, my questions are.... how much longer is it likely to be before i get to meet my baby?? I thought the first 5cm was supposed to be the slowest and then things sort of speed up?? Is it common to be this dilated and then nothing??

Any advice would be much appreciated. We're starting to get a tad impatient!

Thanks heaps!
NelleBelle

[StrawberryMumma]

Wow NelleBelle! 5cm with little effort! I am very impressed!
Haven't got any answers for you sorry, but surely you must be so close now!!

Just wanted to wish you good luck

[bubbaloo]

Thanks Lee! Yeah, I was pretty impressed/excited too, especially having read so many birth stories with ladies enduring hours and hours of strong pain only to find out they are only 3 cm.

So after hearing that I really thought that birth was going to be pretty iminent .

As I didn't feel any of the contractions that got me to 5cm, I'm now wondering if I might now be even further dilated, and why it's now taking so long!

I mean, I was more than happy to go overdue and was very keen to avoid any medical induction, but after learning that I was halfway dilated, my patience levels are starting to plummet!!!

Hopefully Alan or one of the lovely bellybelly doulas might appear with some ideas!

[Heaven]

Oh, exciting.
Jeez I hope when my time comes, it's as easy as yours, lol.
Wishing you heaps of good luck for the birth!!!!!!
Hope bubba makes an appearance soon!

[bubbaloo]

Thanks SaraJane!

I know - it's all seeming way too easy, but I'm trying not to get ****y! I'm sure the pain will well and truly catch up with me before I get to the other end of this!

And best of luck to you with TTCing. It took us about 20 months to get a BFP, so it's so exciting to be getting so close to meeting our bub!

[Trillian]

It really is a 'how long is a piece of string' question as to how much longer. I have known women to be quite dilated with several weeks to go only to go to term or even past dates (sorry, thats probably not what you want to hear, but it can happen). Or you could go tonight. There are a few things you can do to help things kick along on the main site. I will dig it out and post it for you.

ETA - here they are Natural Induction Methods and Early Labour Tips and Suggestions (although you have gotten through the early part some of it might be helpful to get you through the waiting part)

[bubbaloo]

Thanks Sherie. You're right - it's not exactly what I was wanting to hear, but it is what I was beginning to suspect!

Thanks for the links also - I guess it's just going to continue to be a waiting game.

[MumofLewis]

Wow I am green with envy! I would love to be 5cm dilated without any pain! Fingers crossed that you will start labour anytime. Have you been doing the natural labour stuff like walking, nipple stimulation etc etc?

I am only 1 cm dilated with no pre labour signs apart from some purply mucous which is nothing huge so am a little over it too now!

Good luck anyway

[bubbaloo]

Thanks Sarah.

Re natural induction methods, the only things I've been doing are Raspberry Leaf tablets (for the last 2-3 weeks), Evening Primrose Oil tablets (for about the last week), sitting and rocking on a fitball (last week or 2), and walking (for the last couple of days now that I'm getting impatient!!).

And the only sign of impending labour I've had (other than the very mild tightenings/contractions) is a bit of a show/MP over the last couple of days.

I just wonder how far labour can possibly progress without major signs/symptoms - I mean if I got to 5cm with nothing - where am I at now? surely I'll know before I get to transition? My DH is worried about me birthing the baby in the car during a mad dash toward the hospital!!!

Really it's probably less that I'm impatient, and more that I just hate not knowing what's happening.

Anyway, best of luck with your labour - I hope things get moving and you get to meet your little man really soon!

[BellyBelly]

I'd suggest walking and nipple stimulation but over all, trust that your body and baby knows what its doing and that you will eventually labour - when the time is right, when your baby initiates it.

I stopped at 5cms with Marisa after not too bad labour, only my Ob sent me straight into hospital after my appt and within 7 hours was put on the drip, which was not pleasant So letting things take its course is the best way to avoid all the interventions.

[bubbaloo]

Thanks Kelly. Yeah, at this point I'm really glad by Ob didn't send me to the hospital. Sure I would have had my bub by now, but I'd really rather take the natural route. and let my little boy decide what's right for him... and avoid the slippery slope of intervention (I'm hoping/planning for drug-free).

It's just really weird being 5cm dilated (at least!) without having any pain at all, and then going nearly 3 days now with still no major signs of anything happening. Not at all what I was expecting!

Thanks again.

[BellyBelly]

I'd go book myself in for a nice pregnancy massage Make sure that body is nice and relaxed. Both Cailin and myself saw the same person and went into labour within 48 hours, same happened to my client Lots to be said for some relaxing pampering, does more than we think

[bubbaloo]

Oooooh, I like your thinking Kelly! I'm not sure where I could get a pregnancy massage nearby (and I do get nervous going out too much in case my waters break in public! ), but I'm definitely passing this advice on to my husband!

[MumofLewis]

My friend was 5cm dilated when she got to hospital and she still had 6 further hours of labour so you won't necessarily give birth in the car!! When is your next OB appointment? Maybe you can bring it forward if nothing happens in the next day or so.

By the way, you said you've had a bit of a show for the last few days. Does that mean my 'bit of a show' is going to last a few days too? I was praying it would mean labour by tomorrow!!

[bubbaloo]

Thanks Sarah for the reassurance that my DH won't have to help me deliver our baby en route to the hospital!

I don't actually have a next OB appointment booked in. He pretty much said the chances of me having not having had my baby by mid next week are really slim so he didn't even suggest a next appointment. I guess if my baby still hasn't decided to come out by Monday/Tuesday I'll phone him and go from there.

As for the show, yeah, I haven't had any substantial amounts of MP come away yet - just little dribs and drabs! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though - it must really start getting challenging when you see your EDD come and go.

[~Raven~]

Oooh NelleBelle you're still here

Perhaps you could go for a walk about today at a market or go to the shops. Wear a nice thick pad and chuck the hospital bag in the car JIC!

[bubbaloo]

Hi Sammi-j! Yes, it seems like it's groundhog day for me again today! I've actually just finished telling my DH that maybe we should start doing some fate-tempting things - like heading off for a drive in the country! He's not so keen/brave/stupid! (whichever you think best applies!). Although my bags are in the car - they've now been there for 3 days!

Although, I did just hear that Pumpkin Patch are having a sale (I think I'm allowed to mention that?? If not SORRY!!) so maybe a trip to the shops might be possible. They do say you can never have too many cute little bubba clothes!

[Trillian]

Now that might be a plan LOL - oohing and aahing at all the cute little things might start something happening