and was dilated to 1 cm the army doctor told her to go home until her water broke-how long does it usually take to go fully in labor?how long will she be at home until she goes back to the hospital?
2006-09-14 12:32:01 · 8 answers · asked by Terri L 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
A couple of things.
First, I'm shocked the Army Doctor said to wait until her water broke. About 12% of women have their water break prior to any noticeable contractions, about 50% of women have their water break at some point during labor (though it could be any point including during transition which is a wee bit too late to get to the hospital) and about 38% of women have to have their water broken for them by a practioner (my sister had this happen in both of her two pregnancies.) So don't use that as the only sign, I WOULD however understand that if her water does break, she does need to go in immediately since most practioners would like to hold a baby in their arms 24hrs (or up to 36hrs, depending on the practioner) after the breaking of the water due to the risk of infection to the baby.
Second, a personal story :) I had ongoing contractions for 3 days every 4minutes, lasting about a minute. But I was only dilated to a 1cm. I lost my mucus plug that night, but now, after three days, still no baby :( In my case, the earlier contractions were a tightening of my abdomen, but they've changed into something that resembles cramping, which is apparently a more "productive" contraction since it causes the cervix to dilate.
I was confirmed 1cm dilated a week ago, had regular contractions for 3 days after that (including runs and nausea), followed by a loss of my plug, followed by more irregular but effective contractions, and no clue of where I currently sit in the process.
I am in early labor, but they're telling me it could be up to 2-3 weeks from the time I lost my plug.
Third, most of the other answerers said this, but every woman and every pregnancy and every labor is completely different. My sister walked around dilated for awhile with her pregnancies, and she spent the last one in early labor for several days.
She could go into active labor in weeks or in hours. I would watch for the strength, consistency, frequency, duration and type of pain associated with her contractions. Unless she's prone to braxton hicks contractions due to an irritable uterus etc., she'll probably have a good idea when they are strong enough and close enough together to go in.
If they are steadily getting closer together, stronger, and longer... then that's a good indicator she's well on her way and we're looking at hours rather than days or weeks.
If her contractions seem to stop, it could be any length of time. Once she is 4-5 cm dilated (depending on the doc and the facility), she will be considered in active labor.
Good luck!
2006-09-14 16:36:29 · answer #1 · answered by thoughtfulwind 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stimulating the nipples can cause contractions, but if the baby isn't ready they can go away quickly. Walking can also cause early contractions, it may not help in dilating the cervix. With the first child you can be dilated at a 1 for several weeks. I would just tell her to try and relax, not think about it so much. Once the contractions are 5 mins apart for at least two hours go back to the hospital. If her water breaks no matter if she is having contractions or not she should go to the hospital. It will feel like she is urinating on herself and can't stop the flow. Good luck!
2006-09-14 13:54:45 · answer #2 · answered by redglass23 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depending on how far along she is. My sister was at 35 weeks and she was dilated at 4 centimeters and stayed that way for two weeks. My wife was dilated 1cm and waited a week and our third child was dilated 2 cm and waited 2 days.
2006-09-14 12:41:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends... it's individual
when she starts having contractions for about 45sec. every 4-5 minutes, that's for sure the time to go to the hospital. Water could not break though before that. So, feel and count your contractions. Good luck.
2006-09-14 12:36:48 · answer #4 · answered by miss 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go back when her contractions are 3-5 minutes apart continuously! I was at 1 cm for a week, sometimes it can be a slow process or sometimes quick! best of luck to ur neice!
2006-09-14 12:37:28 · answer #5 · answered by boobear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just went to my 1st birthing class last Sat. and they said not to squeeze your breasts towards the end of your pregnancy as it will bring on labor. She also went on to say that some midwives use this method to speed up labor. Try squeezing the boobs a few times as if you are trying to get milk out. Sounds gross, but she swore by it and she is a Registered Nurse. Won't hurt anything.
2006-09-14 12:51:10 · answer #6 · answered by Brooke's Mommy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IT REALLY DEPENDS-IT'S DIFFERENT WITH EACH PERSON, AND EACH PREGNANCY. HER WATER MAY NOT EVEN BREAK, I ENDED UP IN LABOR FOR OVER 24 HOURS, AND CONTRACTIONS LESS THEN A MIN APART. MY WATER HAD NOT BROKEN, SO THE DOC ACCTUALLY HAD TO BREAK THE WATER-THEN-10 HOURS LATER I HAD MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER.
2006-09-14 12:41:30 · answer #7 · answered by Alexis and Abbigails' mommy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it could be hours or days ....tell her to keep walking to get that baby out!
also...her water may not break so if her contractions are just a minute or two apart i would go back.
2006-09-14 12:34:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋