what will happen?

Anna - posted on 08/27/2010

the only thing i can say is that every pregnancy is different and therefore so is every labor. i have a friend who was dialated to a three at 30 weeks and her doctor was worried about her delivering early but she didn't end up having her son until she was almost 42 weeks. I had my membranes stripped and ended up having to be induced with potcin. let me tell you contractions from potcin are hell and my epadural didn't work. worst pain i have ever had but compleatly worth it.

Erin - posted on 08/27/2010

i was induced with both of mine and contractions are really really bad. when and if i have any more kids i hope i dont need to be induced again

Teresa - posted on 08/26/2010

with my 3rd i lost the mucus plug and was at a 3 for 4 weeks. then i had to be induced. contractions were going all day and i was finally dialated to a 10 and water still hadnt' broke so the dr finally broke it and 15 minutes later my 3rd baby was born. they won't come til they are ready unless theres some medical reasoning behind it. my 3rd one was 8 days over. it was the same with my other two. my oldest was 9 days over being induced and my 2nd one was 4 days before just cause the dr induced on a day she wasn't busy in the office.

Josephine - posted on 08/26/2010

Sweeping of the membranes isn't anything to worry about but it will definitely put you in labor real soon. Basically what they do is take their fingers and just go around the cervix and get the soft tissue off...(like you're going around the bowel of icing.) It's not painful, uncomfortable but not painful! Good Luck!!!

Ashlea - posted on 08/26/2010

Yes it can...and that's why it took me 38 hours and a c-section to have my daughter. I was induced and it was at the discretion of my doctor because we lived 45 minutes away from the hospital.

Katy - posted on 08/25/2010

I was one cm for the last month and my doctor stripped my membranes at my 40th week appointment. I still ended up being induced four days later! It may cause labor and it may not. The thing is, if your body isn't ready there isn't much they can do to really make it ready. Even inducing can still take a REALLY long time if your body isn't ready.

Ashlea - posted on 08/25/2010

I should note that it also took me 38 hours and a c-section to have my daughter

Johnna - posted on 08/25/2010

Erin, I was dilated to a 3 for 2 weeks before my little one came. My contractions starting getting very close, so I went to the hospital, even though my water hadn't broke. I was only dialated to a 4, but I was 80% efaced, so they broke my water and I had her 2 hours later. Stripping the membrane is common and is uncomfortable, but not that bad. You should take long walks...it will help!

Brittany - posted on 08/24/2010

When I wa pregnant..i was dialate for almost a full month and i never went into labor on my own with my first baby. The doctor induced me the day before my due date. You may not go into labor but you are dialating early.

Kellie - posted on 08/24/2010

yes pretty much thats it I am expecting my 4th this will be my 3rd V-back if all goes well and all different I have learned not to compare my pregnancy & births where different experiences. when are you due? I will be 26 weeks on the 4th

Kelly - posted on 08/24/2010

It is definetly different for every pregnancy. I was 1 cm dialated for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy and I still ended up having to be induced a few days after my due date. You just never know! But, you know you'll have a baby eventually, thats about all you can count on LOL

Kellie - posted on 08/24/2010

well stripping of the membranes is kinda painful! you being dilated 1 really means nothing you could be at a 1-3 for the last month I was dilated at a 1-3 for 2 weeks and in low laber for a week with my second he was my first V-back they stripped my membrains 4 times in 2 days! late late/early early morning the 2nd/3rd i went in to full laber & had him late after noon!

Rebecca - posted on 08/24/2010

I was 4 cm dialated from week 36 on, and I only delivered 4 days before my due date. It could be a while...

Cynthia - posted on 08/24/2010

My grandma told me that when she was pregnant with my Dad she walked around 3-4 cm dilated for about 2 weeks before she went into the dr. and just told him to induce her a few days early because she was having trouble walking his head was so far down. Apparently he cam really really quickly, but she didn't go into labor on her own, despite being that dilated. It probably does mean you'll have your baby right around the due date though, and I would rather have my little guy come a few days early rather than a few days late. Less time feeling like a beached whale! LOL! :)

Ashlea - posted on 08/24/2010

I was at 3 cm for 6 weeks...it just depends on when the little one wants to make its grand entrance to the world.

Samantha - posted on 08/24/2010

i stayed 1cm dilated for about 3wks, and getting your membrane stripped could make your water break quicker, but also may not, i had mine stripped 3x and my water never broke, it didnt even break when they tried to break it themselves. Dont worry.

Carissa - posted on 08/24/2010

I was walking around 2 cm dilated (and maybe even 3) for awhile. They kept saying I might go early, but I never did. They also stripped my membranes when it was close to time, but alas that didn't do the trick,either! The thing is, what works for one woman, might not the next. Each woman is so unique, that you just can't tell. :-) Cherish those last moments of being pregnant!

Amber - posted on 08/24/2010

I never had my membranes stripped when I was pregnant with my son. I was dilated 1cm for about 2-3 weeks before I went into labor. When my water broke it didn't even brake all the way until they went to check me at the hospital. Even after my water broke it took my body forever to dilate. I didn't hit 10cm until 22 hours later. I had him a little over a week before his due date. However everyone's body is different so what may of happened to someone else after having there membranes stripped/ being dilated weeks may be different with you. I wish you the best of luck && Congrats on your baby girl =)

Sarah - posted on 08/24/2010

i was at 2 cm at 6 weeks and went overdue dont worry trust your ob

Brenda - posted on 08/24/2010

You'll probally go right after they strip your membrane. The more you walk the more you'll dialate, and the sooner you'll have the baby.

Tanya - posted on 08/24/2010

I was 2cm dialated for a really long time. You may have braxton hicks contractions at 1cm dialated, as I had and I was 3cm before my water even broke! So don't get to excited yet. LOL I was dialted at 2cm for a month before Noah was even born and was dialated to a 3 about two weeks or so before my water broke so it still could be a while even if you are having contractions. In terms of stripping your cervix, my doctor did that as well. That also doesn't mean that you will go in, but it may speed up the process, and I think that most doctors do that with patients who seem to be progressing in terms of dialation without any labor contractions or anything like that yet. You can expect to feel some pressure when your doc completes the procedure, but you will go home and it still be a while before anything happens or baby comes. Its a bit different for every person. For me, Noah didn't come for about a week after my doctor stripped my cervix, so your getting close. Just give the baby time! :) He/she will comes when they are ready to come, and you will know! Just stay on top of everything with your doc and know what honest to god contractions feel like (pressure, and it will start from the front in your hips and such and then will move around to your back area and such) and then just know when its time to go!! :) Good luck and remember when your in labor that you are blessed and you are going to be blessed again!

Holly - posted on 08/24/2010

my first pregnancy, the doctor did the swab one day. that put me in minor labor in an hour. i went in to check and see caz i thought i was about to pop, i was 1 jumped to 2 back to 1 centimeters, early in the morning till later that night i went up to 4 then it stayed like that till 10AM! from being checked till she came, every hour or so they grew. doc broke my water, it wouldn't break on its own! my second, i didnt have the cervix check, i had braxton hicks all day then the next day at 9am i went to 2 centimeters. it got pretty strong and i was dilating fast! the day before that i had strong labor pains! i barely couldn't get out of bed from braxton hick. the doc had to break my water! my third, two week ago lol. this one was way different! my water broke on its own while i was sleeping and it woke me. my labor pains started contracting an hour later after my water broke. they sent me to my clinic that was away from the hospital but they are like 5 or 10 mins away from each other. i had a pretty gross experience and when the docs checked me they freaked and said okay whatever you do, do not push and told my husband to drive fast a carefully to the hos caz it was jumping 3 to 4 centimeters! when i got to the hosp it went down to 2 and stayed till 6PM. it hurt soooo bad, the pain was annoying and i felt like i was gonna pass out! she was right there, her head was showing, it was like she was coming out her self almost! lol but usually when they check you, it varies. you could stay 1 centimeters or it could just happen now! just watch out for your labor, if its 15 to 10 mins and the labor is like longer then 3 then call them and let them know! but if its small minor pains and dosnt last much then its braxton hicks. the baby is settling to come and your body too!

Leslie - posted on 08/22/2010

I was a week overdue and they had to strip my cervix, once stripped I was starting to have labor pains within 5 hours and had the baby withing 24 hours

Debbie - posted on 08/19/2010

everyone is different

Angela - posted on 08/19/2010

I had to be induce because my daughter was a week late even thought i was 1 cent dialated at the first of Dec. and I didnt have her till Jan 5. I was 3 cent a week before I had her, I guess they come when they get ready. They could have your due date a little off. I was scheduled to be induced at 4am but I went into labor at 3am. Good Luck!!!

Erin - posted on 08/19/2010

I had a previous c-section. and i have liver problems. so i cant be induced due to a higher chance of tearing of my uterus. i went and had an ultrasound today and everything is looking well.

Becky - posted on 08/19/2010

i was 33 weeks and i was already dialated at a 3.. i spent a whole week in the hospital so the contractions would stop.. they wanted to get me at 34 weeks.. 3 weeks later my water broke... but it all depends when the baby is ready to come..

Good luck with everything :-)

Jessica - posted on 08/19/2010

Im sorry to tell you that I was 3 cm for about three weeks before my water broke...so it could still be awhile or it could be today... you just never know :)

CJ - posted on 08/19/2010

You can start dilating weeks before going into labor. I was dialted 1cm when they did my strep swab too, and if I remember correctly, that was about 2-3 weeks before I went into labor.

Holly - posted on 08/19/2010

your Dr shcedules csections just in case you go over? or is there an underlying medical problem that would indicate the need for one at a certain point? I am just curious because 3/4th of csections are unnecessary. If you are induced and your body isnt ready to have the baby, you willend up with a csection unnecessarily.

Holly - posted on 08/19/2010

A lot of people get all worked up when they are told they are dialted or effaced. Fact is, it really has no bearing on when you will go into labor. I think Dr's give a false hope when they tell moms that and then DON'T tell them that they could go 4-6 more weeks! With our first son, is was 32, yes 32! weeks along and started havign contractions. I was THREE cm dilated and 80% effaced. My dr told me this NEVER happens with first time moms ans put me on bedrest. He was right to do that just to discourage my body from having a baby that early, but I stayed that way until 36 weeks, when he finally broke my water because of toxemia (also called preeclampsia). With my 2nd i was dilated at about 33 weeks to 3 cm, and went into labor at 36 weeks. My 3rd however, I had with a midwife. They dont believe so much in being invasive and checking for dilation until labor. but,I had bloody show at 32 weeks and so she did check me, bloody show indicates a change in cervix. At 32 weeks with our 3rd I was 3cm and 80%effaced too. In the next few weeks I dilated further to a 4 and 4.5. I was completely effaced and 5 cm dilated before I EVER went into labor at 40.5 weeks! yes, dilated for over 8 weeks. I started dilating early as well with our 4th, and she was born over 41 weeks old. Of course I am only 15 weeks with our 5th, so i have no idea this time around!
I know this is your first,but most moms do not ever go back to 0 cm dilated after their first child. The cervix changes, becomes harder, instead of soft and porous. Most ladies will be 1 cm dilated their whole pregnancies with subsequent pregnancies.
Hope this helps!

Sara - posted on 08/19/2010

If your strep swab comes back positive you have to have an IV durning delivery so you can get antibiotics before while and after delivery.

Allison - posted on 08/18/2010

I don't understand why Drs wanna get in there and strip membranes!!! It introduces possible infections and is completely unnatural!!! let your body take care of itself!!!!

Erin - posted on 08/18/2010

its dragging by but going quickly at the same time. i have several appointments so the time is going quickly which is nice. i saw my ob today and im getting an ultrasound tomorrow along with some wonderful bloodwork done for my liver. but to make sure my baby girl is healthy ill do what it takes. will have membranes stripped next week. so maybe ill be in the hospital and holding my baby the day after or ill be waiting. but with all the walking and such that i do. i wouldn't be surprised if that has gotten me a little further in the dialation process. i requested a pelvic exam every visit and shes fine with that. so heres hoping i maybe get my little one in my arms the day after the stripping and i dont go over . . . if not c-section booked just to be safe!

Jenette - posted on 08/18/2010

I was also dilated for several weeks with both of my pregnancies. I don't think that it has a whole lot to do with how soon you will go into labor. But once your labor starts, it is nice to be ahead of the game.

On a side note, I thought that I was two weeks farther along with my first pregnancy than the doctor thought. It made the last two weeks really drag on. It is so exciting and it is hard to wait. I hope that the rest of your pregnancy goes quickly.

Amanda - posted on 08/18/2010

being 1 cm dialated could mean anything. the stripping of the membrane is a bit painful, but not horrendous. you will bleed quite a bit but don't worry, it's normal. when i got my membranes stripped, i lost my mucus plug that day and went into labor a day and a half later. i was sore after she stripped them too. kinda hurt to walk for the rest of the day. but, to me it was whatever would get that baby out of me! ha ha good luck! it could be soon!

Bevin - posted on 08/18/2010

i went for my 38 week and i was 3 cm, i had my daughter my daughter 2 days befor her due date, i walked around for a while at 3 cm

Alexandria - posted on 08/17/2010

i walked around for 2 months 3 cm dilated nothing to worry about. you may go soon you may not it all depends on the person. the more you do the more likely you are to go sooner my dr always told me if you do alot you will induce contractions and help move things along.

Erin - posted on 08/17/2010

i cant be induced the risk of tearing is greater and could result in me or baby dying. all because of a liver problem and a previous c-section.

Patience - posted on 08/17/2010

being 1 centimeter dialated has nothing to do with an early labor. with my 2nd i was 3 centimeter's dialated for 2 weeks at my 39 week check up he stripped my membrane i was in the hospital by by midnight and had my daughter by 4am. i realized the 2nd pregnancy gows fast when i went into the hospital i was 5 1/2 cent. when i got to my room i asked for me epidural it came 5 min later after that i was 7 cent. i needed penecilin for strep B found out i am alergic to penicilin so after that i was ready to push

Tiffany - posted on 08/17/2010

When I was told I was 1 cm dilated I thought for sure that meant she was coming.........I was wrong lol. I was 1 cm dilated for 2 weeks before she came. I was due October 8th and on my last appointment October 15th, my ob tried to get me going and strip my membranes. She said it may or may not work. I went into labor on the 15th not even 3 hours after that appt lol. I was STILL only 1 cm dilated. So, there really isn't any way to tell until you start feeling those contractions! Good Luck!

Andrea - posted on 08/17/2010

my ob checked me and i was 2 cm. she did my membranes and i had my son by c-section 8 days later becaus ei would dialate more than 7 cm. it really is acase by case basis. you could go into labour tomorrow you could be another week . the stripping the membrane might cause contractions but they may go away.

Heather - posted on 08/17/2010

Well, I know for me, I was 2 cm dialated for about a month and a half before I went into labor. My OB said she wasn't worried about me going into early labor and I didn't. She said she also didn't think I would carry full term, and I was only 6 days before my due date...So it doesn't nesecarily mean anything

Melissa - posted on 08/17/2010

I just seen were you said you had to have a c-section with your first child... a friend of mine just went through all of this. she had to have a c-section with her 2nd child and she wanted to have her membranes stripped but learned that its not safe to strip them once you have had a c-section it can cause lots of problems for mother and baby.

best of luck with everything!! hope your little girl comes soon!!

Melissa - posted on 08/17/2010

you could be dialated at 1cm for the longest time or you could go from 1cm to 5cm within hours. you can never tell what your body is going to do this is part of why they tell you give or take 2 weeks from your EDD. just like when you lose your plug, it could happen right away or you could wait for days, weeks... just do lots of walking, and even sex helps jump start the labor. i have 3 little ones and all 3 of were different.

Caitlin - posted on 08/17/2010

When I went in for my 36week appt. I was 2cm dilated and 80% effaced. She had dropped by then and it was uncomfortable. But I walked and walked some more, ate spicy foods, road over railroad tracks...you name it I probably tried it to send myself into labor. The day before my daughter was born (at 38weeks exactly!) I was still 80% effaced but 3cm dilated...about 4hrs aftr my doctor told me that my water broke and Madelynn was born 18hrs later!

Chrystal - posted on 08/17/2010

I was 1cm dialated 2weeks before my due date. It all depends on what your baby wants to do. You can try everything to try and move labor along, but all in all the baby will come when the baby wants to come. Or unless of course you are induced LOL

Jamie - posted on 08/17/2010

I was dialated to a 2 for 2 weeks before my water broke, I was in labor for 12 hours before he popped out. Trust me nothing is set in stone, The baby will come in his time and the docs wont let him/her be too late, Usually theyll scedule to induce at a week late. This one was about my second child, first time i didnt dialate till i was in labor for 6 hours and they had to strip my membranes to force the action, THAT sucked! Its does not feel good at all when they have to do that! I wish you the best and Just relax it will happen wheather or not your ready! lol

Erin - posted on 08/17/2010

OBs always get new moms all excited by telling them that they're dialated a whole centimeter! You could sit at 1cm and 50% effaced for a whole month with nothing happening. Stripping the membranes often helps labor progress, but not always.
The strep test: Make sure you find out the results!!! With my third baby, I tested positive, when I'd been negative with the first two. But nobody ever told me I was positive. Then, when I arrived at the hospital at 10cm, they finally informed me that I'd tested positive, and I had to hold the baby in until they could give me the necessary antibiotics.

Toni - posted on 08/17/2010

I was dialated 1 cent for a week with my second child. A few days before my due date, my water just broke! ( the only one of my children that my water broke on its own) About 6 hours later, baby arrived! My second pregnancy was extremely different from the first, however, the labor was quicker.
When I went to the hospital, I was only 1 cent still, and 5 hours later, I was only 6! The dr came and checked me, told me it would be a few more hours. About 10 minutes later, i was holding my second little boy!
Your body will tell you when it is time. Good Luck!