Quick question regardig Dilation

[JennaJayen]

Just a quick question for those who have dilated and been through natural labour before - Did you ever notice that you felt looser or more open down there in the pelvic area?
Just thought I'd ask as I woke up on friday morning feeling different down there, and every day I wake up and it feels more open and loose, not by physically touching it, just by how I feel when I stand, walk, sit down, lie down etc.

Sorry if this doesn't belong here, but wasn't sure where to put it

[~clover~]

It could be the babies head being fully engaged?
I never felt more open. Even in labour, while I felt the contractions, I never felt my cervix was any different... just hurting

[Kazzo]

I felt really cofortable the couple of days before DD2 arrived. DD was fully engaged. I am unsure if I had any dilation prior to going into labour because I refused all internals until I was in in established labour. I think I understand you feeling of opening though. I remember telling DH that things don't feel so tight down there.

[Trillian]

Do you mean your vulva? If that is what you mean, then yes, it is a sign of impending labour. My DH knew that I would give birth to our first baby within a day or so because of the way my vulva looked - it was very swollen and puffy and as he put it, it looked like it was opening. Mind you, he has pulled more than his share of lambs and calves and sheep and cows do the same thing prior to birth - their vulva's become very swollen. In my case he was right - I gave birth two days later. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are dilating, but the blood flow is definitely increasing to the area.

[JennaJayen]

Thanks for the answers ladies,

I had an internal on friday as part of my GD monitoring combine with an OB check-up and was 1-2cm dilated, s I know it's happening, but as I've never dilated on my own before without drugs - I was induced with my DS and wasn't even starting to dilate yet - it's all new and I don't really know what to expect.

I have been having irregular contractions daily since wednesday, and even more irregularly every 2nd day or so for about a week & a half before that, so they've obviusly been doing something.

Trillian - It's more of just a general loose and open feeling in the pelvic region, though that whole area has been looking puffy and feeling physically looser for about a week now lol

[kellsbells]

I just felt pain, not more open. Though in the thick of labour it did "feel" like it was opening but maybe that's just because I knew that's what was happening.