I'm dilating... how long now?

[Glamourcide]

(I did a bit of searching and couldn't come up with anything terribly productive, so mods if there *is* something more useful around the place to answer my question, feel free to direct me to it and delete this thread!)

I'm 40+4 today, and had my last antenatal appt this afternoon. When I finally got in to see the doctor at 5:30ish (appt was for 2:30!!), he did a quick internal to check how things were going.
He informed me that I'm 2cm dilated - which I'm sooo thankful for because I've had a strange 'stretchy' or 'scratchy' feeling down there all day and was desperately trying to convince myself that I was just imagining it - and did what he called a 'strip and stretch'??, basically a manual stretching of my cervix to see if that would get things going (he said it would take a little while to take effect, probably tonight sometime).

Before he did the internal, I asked to be scheduled for an induction next week if nothing had happened... there are a few reasons for this, but never mind.
Anyway, the doctor was fine with my decision, did my internal, told me I was 2cm and scheduled me for an induction on Monday morning 'just in case'.

Whaa? Which leads me to my question - how long after dilation begins is it until labour is established, kwim? Could I seriously be stuck at 2 or 3cm for nearly a week with nothing happening?! How long does it usually take from dilation beginning, until your waters break/labour really gets started/baby arrives?

I'm having bad stomach pains (although that *could* be because I had a big feed of McDonald's earlier in case I go into labour tonight, I'll need my energy lol) and my tailbone is killing me again - baby's head pressing against it, I assume. But will I have to put up with this for another few days?!

[Inertia]

No idea how long it could take now, Donna.... but yes, the trial is getting to 4cms. Did he mention how effaced you were?

[lauren22]

Ohhhh how exciting!
im no help what so ever but i just wanted to wish you all the best and i hope bubs speeds up as im sure your desperate to meet your baby
best luck and i hope you have an amazing and worry free labour.

[kelebek]

Hopefully things start for you soon but I was shocked to read that it is uncommon to be dialated 2 -3 cm in the weeks leading upto to labour, it's that no-one checks

[Just Me]

Sorry, I'm not much help either but your thread title sounded exciting so I wanted to come and wish you luck. I really hope the s & s did the trick and I get to read your BA tomorrow. GL and lots of labour vibes

[Glamourcide]

Thanks girls
Poor DH is in for it tonight lol Hopefully it all happens on its own so I can avoid the induction on Monday... fingers crossed!

[~Raven~]

Hang in there hun, not much longer to go now!

I was 2cm at 39 weeks and 2 - 3cm at 40+4 (week and a half later) with bub coming the next day. I hadn't had an internal done previous to 39 weeks so it's possible I was partly dilated for a while and didn't know it.

Not every labour starts with the waters breaking. With the exception of my first being broken by the OB, mine have broken as I was feeling pushy so almost at the end of it.

I tried lots to bring mine on. Accupuncture, sex, walking and jumping on the kids trampoline ROFL.

[AliBaby]

I was 2cm at 39 weeks and 2 - 3cm at 40+4 (week and a half later) with bub coming the next day. I hadn't had an internal done previous to 39 weeks so it's possible I was partly dilated for a while and didn't know it.

Not every labour starts with the waters breaking. With the exception of my first being broken by the OB, mine have broken as I was feeling pushy so almost at the end of it..

My labour was exactly like that as well Raven.

I was 1-2cm and 95% effaced for 2 weeks before labour!!!

And waters were broken for me at 9cm when I started to feel all pushy.

I hope it comes soon for you hun