I'm dilating... how long now?

(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?!

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

:hug: 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.

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. :D

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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..

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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 :hug:

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 :rolleyes:

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 :)

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!

I was 1cm dilated and almost fully effaced when the OB did a stretch and sweep. DP and I DTD that night and I went into labour the next morning.

With DS i was 2cm at 39+6 when i was given a S&S and i finally gave birth at 41 weeks!

Lol thanks for the replies, girls :) Still no news yet... although I feel like bubs' head is about an inch under the skin down there, feels like she's just about out! I've had a horrible pain *really* down low in my pelvis, like, *in* my vagina, all day... but no contx :(

Umm, just another question - wth is this pink discharge? It's not jelly-like or 'mucous'-y like I expect a show to be, it's milky, creamy stuff that's yellowy-pink instead of white? I haven't had a show or anything (that I know of, anyway) but I really don't think it is that... it's just a smudge on my underpants, kwim?
Sorry for the TMI girls lol... I'm just like 'whoa wtf is THAT?!' because I've been having milky discharge for weeks but today it's pink?!

Probably a result of the strip and stretch - some cervical irritation I would think GothMum. Go for a nice long walk, have a curry, get jiggy with it and this baby girl will come in her own good time... :hug:

I think it is a good sign hun, it sounds like a bit of plug to me. If you can reach your cervix yourself you can work out how far you are (clean hands of course ;))

:D Finally some good news to report - I've been in pain all day and having a weird 'pushy' feeling, so went up to the hospital a couple of hours ago and was told I'm 4.5cm dilated, 1/2 a cm thick and very soft and stretchy - of course, the contractions went away as soon as we got to the hospital but now that I'm home again they're coming pretty hard and fast, I can barely stand up anymore so once I've made DH some dinner to get him through the long night ahead of us, we'll be back up at the hospital and hopefully I will have some news for you all soon!

Thanks for the replies, girls :D So glad it looks like I'll be avoiding another induction - can't wait to do things spontaneously and see how I cope with a truly natural labour!

omg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! soooooooooooooo jealous but over the moon for you!!!! xxx

Thats Awesome, Donna. I believe active labour starts at 4cms, so you are "on the clock now" ... Can't wait for the BA! Good Luck, and enjoy your beautiful baby!

Oh good luck!!!! I was going to post that I was walking around 3cm for 2wks + before the dr took mercy on me and broke my waters - woohoo on getting labour going all by yourself - can't wait for the BA

Wow how exciting!!! Will look forward to your BA hopefully soon!!!