Went to the doc last weeks (at 35weeks) and was told to be 2cm dialated and 75% effaced. He said "ohh could be anyday now"....So everything now has been driving me crazy. the past 2 or 3 weeks my discharge has been a little pink at times (he said nothing to worry about, just thinning out) and today it it was even more pink, my stomach gets tight all the time and uncomfotable, i can tell she's dropped by peoples comments and I can breath again. Walking the past few days has been different more pressure sometimes I feel like I will fall over haha. I'm just confused, how can I tell if I'm having contractions? and how soon could this baby be coming? are these sign of labor coming soon? I'm 22 and this is our 1st baby.
2006-12-27 12:21:24 · 9 answers · asked by ashleylynne_84 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
The baby can come anytime between now and 44 weeks. Sorry but dilation and effacement aren't really a reliable indication of when labour will start.
Also it is much better for your baby to stay in until at least 36 weeks.
2006-12-27 12:24:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What you can be sure of is that your body is definitely gearing up for labor. No one can tell you when the baby will be coming. Its a bit misleading when they tell you that you are somewhat dialated and effaced yet nothing will happen until true labor starts.
What is true labor? Its when your contractions come closer together over time and you cant talk through them. That is the guideline I use. Ive had 5 babies so far and I had walked around for weeks 3-4 cm dialated and nearly 100% effaced and still went to full term.
Other signs of the possible onset of labor are diarrhea or loosening of the bowels, loss of the mucus plug, restlessness or a 'need to get everything done', and the steady increase of the intensity of your contractions.
I would say that you shouldnt worry too much right now. Of course they say the baby can come at 'any time' but you shouldnt make yourself a basketcase in the process. Take this time to relax and let Nature do its thing. Most care providers wont induce labor until you are 2 weeks late (42 weeks along) so you still have a huge window in which to give birth.
Keep taking good care of yourself and get as much rest as you can, youre going to need it once that little bundle arrives!
Good Luck!
2006-12-27 20:32:24 · answer #2 · answered by KhaliMamma 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Im also 36 weeks pregnant and having the same symptoms so dont feel bad... Im only dialated to a 1 and Im not even thining yet...but this is my second baby so I pretty much know what to expect.. My doctor told me when your lower back has real sharp pains consistent with your contractions(2 minutes apart) then you should call your OB... You have to naturally lose your mucus plug first before being in labor, but you could be losing it slowly... When you have dropped so much that you cant even close your legs when you sit down then you know that the baby will be coming soon... There really is no way to tell when you are in real labor... Get lots of sleep now while you can and keep going to your appointments..good luck and congratulations...!!
2006-12-27 20:41:24 · answer #3 · answered by happy2BAlive!! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
44 weeks??? No doctor will wait until 44 weeks to deliver a baby, the placenta starts to disentigrate putting both mother and baby at risk.
To answer your question, you can go at any time. Ideally, you will have your baby closest to your 40 wk due date(ensuring the baby's lungs are most likely to be mature outside of the womb) Your tummy getting tight and uncomfortable are practice contractions that acutally help the dialation and thinning of your cervix in preparation for birth. They are called Braxton Hicks. Changing position and/or drinking water usually allieviate them, they go away after an hour or so, and are usually erractic in intervals, but sometimes you can go for an hour with contractions every 5 mins or so, but doesn't end up causing labor.
Real contractions that lead to labor generally start in your lower back, and the pain can encircle to the front of your belly(tightening). Sometimes you can have diarrhea on the onset of labor. You might lose your mucous plug(snotty looking glob with red or pink streaks), although some women lose their plug weeks before they actually go into labor.
You should time your contractions just to ensure whether or not you are in labor. Keep yourself hydrated. Get plenty of rest because once the baby is here, sleep is a commodity. Good Luck!
2006-12-27 20:46:37 · answer #4 · answered by RetroDiva65 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my first at 21. Everything your expierencing is normal. You are at the point in your pregnancy when you just want your baby here. You can walk around dialated for weeks before you deliver. Your discharge is also normal-if it becomes very watery or bright red call your dr.
Every women feels contraction differently. YOur best bet at knowing they are real is you will be able to see your tummy actually contrract, and it will look and feel tight. If you are having back labor it will be evident, it's a bit more painful.
When in doubt go to the hospitol. babies do best at 36+ weeks. Best of luck to you and the baby. Hang in there!
2006-12-27 20:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you are having some contractions already...ie tightening of the stomach and pressure. It will start to get more painful as time goes on, but that 's pretty much what a contraction feels like at first. I have had all 3 of my children at 37 weeks, so just keep an eye out for how long the contractions are and time between.
Good luck and congratulations.
2006-12-27 20:28:18 · answer #6 · answered by Sillygirl 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Im 38 weeks, the baby dropped and I've been dialated 2cm and 70% effaced for two weeks, it doesnt mean that the baby will cme sooner. The pink stuff is your mocus plug
2006-12-27 20:31:35 · answer #7 · answered by audrey 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
contractions feel like menstrual cramps. when they get to be 5 min. apart and you are having 6 or more an hour you need to go to the hospital. or as soon as your water breaks you need to go.
2006-12-27 20:32:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
all your symptoms sound normal to me. don't worry when you go into active labor you will know it.
2006-12-27 20:27:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋