Is it normal to not be dilating at close to 38 weeks?

Question

I am close to 38 weeks pregnant and my cervix is not dilated or softened.

Answer 1

hey. its very normal. You obviously wouldnt be getting any sorts of pains, like period pain aching n stuff? They are signs that you are dilating and that the babys not too far away. I was dilated 2cms by 38weeks. Had been in constant pain for 4-5 weeks before i had my baby. and yet, my friend just had her baby last week and she felt not one thing and wasnt dilated at all even at 40weeks. She went over and they ended up puting her in hospital to be induced but her cervix wouldnt dilate more than 3cms so she had to have a c-section. I guess it is the luck of the draw. Personally, i think its better off being dilated some before 40weeks because at least your baby will most likely not go over the due date and also it makes your labour shorter aswell. I was dilated 4cms when i got to hospital after my waters broke, no pains yet, then from the start of the contractions it took me 10 hours until he was out. I think thats pretty good for a first baby. I was greatful that i dilated a fair bit before i hit labour otherwise it couldve been a hell of a lot longer. BUT also, if you are already dilated some you go straight to 2nd stage of labour almost, i started vomiting and shaking very badly. Had pretty damn heavy contractions from about half hour into them. Couldnt talk through them. where as if your not dilated they are lighter and slower and not as painful so your body gets used to them and wont go into shock.
Hope that all nakes sense, i didnt read back through for spelling or anything, i wrote too much. LOL Sorry! goodluck with your baby and birth

Answer 2

Not necessarily. Dilation is no indication of how close you are to giving birth, it only serves to tell you if you are actually in labour, and usually the contractions or waters breaking will let you know that! Checking the cervix for dilation just leads to frustration in the long run because, if you're not dilated at all, you feel like this baby's never going to get here, and if you are dilated a bit, you sit on edge waiting for labour to begin and it could be weeks away yet. At 39 weeks, I went to the hospital with painful contractions that had been ongoing for hours, I was kept overnight because the contractions were being picked up by the machine, but when they checked me (the first check I'd had all through my pregnancy), I was 0cm dilated, 0% effaced. I left the next day, sure I was going WAY over my due date. My due date the next week, I was 1cm dilated, 0% effaced, my daughter was born 2 days later. Dilation didn't mean anything...

Answer 3

at 38 weeks with my son (my first baby born 9-29-06) i was 1 cm dilated at 39 weeks to the day i was about 2 cm dilated, 3 days later I had my son. when i went to the hospital after my water broke i was only 3 -4 cm dilated, he was born 7 1/2 hours after my water broke. so it just varies depending on the person.

Answer 4

yes it is. if your cervix hasn't begun to soften then you won't dilate until it starts to do this. or you can be one of those women that do not dilate fully or at al on their own. i will dilate to about a 2 or 3 and then the rest has to be done by pitossin. good luck though. just talk to your doctor if you really want to know what is going on. but yes it is normal not to dilate by this time. good luck on the new baby!!! holly

Answer 5

Yes it is. My sister went for her 38 week checkup she was not dilated at all and then she had the baby the next day. It just depends on your baby and your body. Soon enough the baby will get there and be ready.

Answer 6

normal yes its also normal to be dilated for weeks at a time before anything happens i went through my last pregnancy being dilated 4 cms 60% effaced i started dilating at 33 weeks

Answer 7

That's no big deal at all. Technically you have 2 more weeks left of pregnancy until your due date. When you do dialate you could be at 1 for a week before you go in to labor. You're okay and there is nothing wrong with not being dialated yet.

Answer 8

Very normal. During this time they will also be checking your effacement to see that your cervix is thinning out and what station the baby is in (if they have dropped into your pelvis). Best of luck!

Answer 9

This is totally normal, your baby just isn't ready yet to come out. Many women (especially if its your first baby) actually carry the baby for over 42 weeks (unless there is medical intervention).

Good luck! You are in for a very exciting time.

Answer 10

Yes, I didn't starting dilating until i was in labor and even then it was only 1cm an hour.

Good luck and enjoy!!