How long before i go into labor?

Question

My doctor informed me yesterday that my cervix has started to thin. i am not due until Jan 23rd.

Answer 1

you are just starting to thin.....this is a process and you may have a while....

my doc told me I was thinning and I still went another several weeks.

you have to thin and fully eface before your time comes. You will know.

Good luck

**Additional Medical facts:
Six Signs that Labor is Within a Few Weeks or Days
Lightening: You can breathe again!
This is an indication that the baby has dropped, settling deeper into your pelvis and relieving some of the pressure on your diaphragm, so you are not as short of breathe. You may feel increased pressure on your bladder, which means more trips to the bathroom. Others may comment on your changed appearance, or you might not be aware of it at all.


Bloody show: Loss of mucus plug
During pregnancy, a thick plug of mucus protects your cervical opening from bacteria entering the uterus. When your cervix begins to thin and relax, this plug is expelled. Some women think the plug will look solid like a cork, but it is actually stringy mucus or thick discharge. It can be clear, pink or blood tinged and can appear minutes, hours or even days before labor begins. Not all women notice this sign.


Rupture of membranes: Your water breaks Only 1 in 10 woman experience a dramatic gush of the amniotic fluid and even then it usually happens at home, often in bed. Sometimes the amniotic sac breaks or leaks before labor begins. This may be just a small trickle. It is common to be uncertain about whether leaking fluid is amniotic fluid or urine - many pregnant women leak urine in the later stages of pregnancy, so be sure to have it checked.

Until you see your physician or midwife do not use tampons, have sexual intercourse or do anything that would introduce bacteria to your vagina. Let your doctor know if the fluid is anything other than clear and odorless, particularly if it's greenish or foul smelling, because this could be a sign of infection. Your doctor should discuss what to do if your membranes rupture. Most doctors want to evaluate you and your baby as soon as the membranes rupture, because of the risk of developing infection. Your doctor may decide to induce labor.


Nesting: Spurt of energy
For most of the pregnancy you have probably been fighting the urge to take a nap, so you'll know when you experience this. One day you will wake up feeling full of energy! You'll start making hundreds of list of things to do, things to clean, things to buy and everything you've put off doing will become a high priority. In all your preparations, don't forget that "Labor Day" may be just around the corner so save some energy.


Effacement: Thinning of the cervix
Usually in the last month the cervix begins to stretch and thin. This process means the lower segment of the uterus is getting ready for delivery. A thin cervix will also allow the cervix to dilate more easily. Your doctor will check for effacement in the final 2 months of pregnancy. Effacement is measured in percentages. You may hear your care provider say,"You are 25% effaced, 50% effaced, 75%..." The Braxton Hicks contractions or "practice contractions" you have been experiencing may play a part in the effacement process. You will not be able to determine your effacement process, but by doing an internal exam each visit, your care provider will keep you informed of your progress.


Dilation: Opening of the cervix
Dilation is the process of the cervix opening in preparation for childbirth. Dilation is measured in centimeters or, less accurately, in "fingers" during an internal (manual pelvic) exam. "Fully dilated" means you're at 10 centimeters and are ready to give birth. In the same way that your care provider will be checking for effacement in the last 2 months, your care provider will also tell you how many centimeters your cervix has dilated at each visit.

Answer 2

first child i was dialated a 1 1/2 at 36 weeks and went a week past my due date. The labor was 14 1/2 hrs. then with my second child i lost my mucus plug at 32 weeks and went in and I was dialated to a 2 and 95 % effaced. I was admited to the hospital for 3 days got shot up with all sorts of drugs to stop the contractions, even a 2 shots in the butt that help speed up the growth of your babies lungs. Got sent home and was on bed rest and on a pill for the contractions for a 2weeks. I ended up making to 39 weeks ( a 14 hr labor) and having a healthy baby! Good luck to with your little one! Having my 2 children has been the most wonderful and amazing thing in the world. A mother's love is the most powerful thing in this world!

Answer 3

It could take you untill your due date to completely get ready for this baby to be born. I was dilated 4 cm for almost 3 weeks with my first child before I ever started going into labor and my child ended up being a week late. So just be patient. Things like this takes time. You want to keep the baby in as long as you can because it still has a lot to develope with its lungs.

Answer 4

You still have a ways to go. but dont stress ur self out over wondering when u will start labor. cause it will only delay it. i was pregnant with my daughter and the doc told me to walk cause my labor would stop and then start and i walked so much i thought i would die from all the walking and all it did was make me sore. i had contractions that bent me double while walking but when i would rest nothing. so a friend told me to stop worrying and thinking about it and she would come well thats what i did and low and behold before a wk was up she was born so dont sweat it just try and enjoy being preggers u wont be that way for much longer.congrats and goodluck

Answer 5

With my first I was like 3 cm dialated and a certain % effaced for like 3 weeks before I actually went into labor. It could still be a while.

Answer 6

You still have a way to go, I was dilated at two cm for four weeks before I went into labor. Relax.

Answer 7

dont get to excited yet you could still be late. I was thining and dialated and the dr told me I would more than likely go early and they wound up inducing me a month and a half later 2 weeks late

Answer 8

i would day around the fifth of jan.

Answer 9

could be a long time
u might even be overdue