My sis in law is 41 weeks pregnant and at her MW appt they said she was 4cms dilated, why isnt she in labour?

Question

I thought if you were that much dilated you would be in labour how does that work??

Thanks for ur answers everyone i was just curious. She is booked in for her induction on tuesday.

Answer 1

My first I went 2 weeks over. My body wouldn't go into labor by itself. They had to induce me with pitocin.

Answer 2

I was 4 cm dilated six days before I went into labor. I went into labor at 41 weeks, 1 day.

It's a good thing. Almost half the work is done. My labor was 8 hours, 9 minute from start to finish, and that was my first and only baby. It just means her body is preparing her easily.

She might not need to be induced. Due dates are only estimates. I fought off inductions for five weeks (I was 3 cm at 36 weeks, and the OB/GYN was afraid I wouldn't get to the hospital in time...I wish I had a half hour first labor. :-) ). I naturally went into labor, and it was nice not to deal with pitocin, continous monitoring, and what not.

My baby was 7lb and 15 oz, by the way. The longer they cook, the better, as long as there are no contra-indications.

Answer 3

Sometimes you can be dilated, but not feeling anything.

I was 3cm dilated for 5 days, but paracetomol sorted that out..just tell her that at least when she is in active labour at hospital, she doesnt have to go from 1-10cms, just 4-10, so it should be quicker, my labour was only 3 hours, not that painful, and i had no pain relief at all...and he was breech and back to front!

Answer 4

Sometimes you can be dilated to active labor but not IN active labor. The baby will come when the baby decides to, but if she hasn't gone into active labor (by next week) the doctor will induce her.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

When i went in to my appt. my Dr. checked me and said i was 4 cm and that i was probably in labor and told me to go to the hospital i didn't have any contractions yet,until i left the office and then they started coming about a half an hour later.

Answer 6

No you need not be in labour to dilate. There just needs to be pressure. She will go into labour when she goes into labour.

Some women are 7 or 8 cm dilated for a long time before they go into labour.

Answer 7

Just b/c you are dialated doesn't mean you are in labor.. you have to have contractions and the water will have to break.... You can be 4 cm dialated for a month and not go into labor... her body just isn't ready for that little one to come out yet... but ofcourse by 42 weeks if the little one hasn't come out they will induce. Now if she was having contractions that were a few minutes apart and 4 cm dialated.. then she would be in the hospital preparing for her baby to come out.... don't worry when it happens.. it will happen when that baby is ready to come out

Answer 8

I know a lady that just gave birth 2 days ago, but she was dilated to 5cm a week before that! Just be patient, it will happen very soon! Congratulations to all!

Answer 9

Oh I wish I were like her right now,tht's so weird that she's into labor...hhmmmm....I'm 41 weeks too,not dilated and they're inducing my labor on Monday!!!I wish her good luck!!!!!!

Answer 10

you can dilate and not be in full labor, just like it can go the other way around, u can be in labor and not dilate. each pregnancy is different just like each delivery is different. tell her to walk a lot and whatever you do DON'T let her do that "drink caster oil" think to put herself into labor, one: it don't work two: it tastes GROSS and makes ya puke lol