so am i 1 cm dilated?

Question

the doctor told me that the she felt the baby head and its kind of low for me to be 31 weeks and i minus 1 cm diltaed is it her was of saying im 1 cm dilated

Answer 1

What your DR is talking about is

Station:
When your provider tells you about your baby's station, she is referring to how far down his head has come into your pelvis. If your baby has dropped, but has not yet settled into your pelvis to begin his decent, it is measured in centimeters as a negative station. This negative measurement goes from -3 to -1. Once your baby has settled into your pelvis, but before he starts his descent to the birth canal, it is referred to as a zero (0) station. Once your baby starts heading towards the cervix, it is referred to as a positive station from 1 to 3. During this time it is likely that you will feel an increase of pressure and pain in your pelvic bone and vaginal area.

(your still at a minus one thats normal at 31 weeks)

here is a little extra info for you...


Effacement
Prior to pregnancy and in the first and second trimester, as well as much of the third trimester, your cervix is long and thick. As labor nears it begins to shorten and thin out. This action is referred to as effacement. As your cervix begins to efface, the plug keeping the entrance to the uterus sealed is released. This is called your mucus plug and it may contain some blood. Effacement generally measured in percentages by doctors and midwives. When you have an exam your provider will tell you that it is anywhere from 0% to 100% which means not effaced at all to completely effaced and thin. When it is completely effaced it becomes a part of the uterine wall, allowing the baby to pass through.

Dilation
Until you are late in your third trimester, your cervix should stay tight and closed with no dilation. Dilation is the process of the mouth of the cervix opening and widening, which allows your baby to pass through. This is measured in centimeters. For most of your pregnancy it should be 0 centimeters. In order to deliver your baby your cervix needs to stretch open to 10 centimeters. As the cervix dilates, some people describe cramping and pressure, similar to what you would feel during menstruation.

If you begin dilating in the second trimester or at a rapid rate before the last month of your pregnancy it can be a sign of premature labor.

Answer 2

It just means your cervix is 1 cm dilated.... but even now it could stay that was for several more weeks.

Last year my daughter was due on Aug 5. Her doctor told her two weeks before that he would be very surprised if she lasted until the following Tuesday, about 4 days later.... at 4 cm dilated. Well she didn't deliver until the 10th... So it can be a process of weeks even when you start to thin out and start to dilate.....

Answer 3

If she said that the baby is minus 1 she probably meant at minus one station. This is just telling you how low your baby is. At minus one the baby is almost engaged in your pelvis! This is a good place to be at 31 weeks! It means your baby is most likely going to stay in a head down position. It also means that you are going to start peeing even more and that you will have a lot of pressure down there for the rest of your pregnancy! Congrats! :o)

Answer 4

No it means youve got 1 cm left until your in labor.

Answer 5

I walked around for 4 months of my preganacy with my daughter dialated to 3.. if it gets worse then that then bedrest but as long as ur plug is there then u r ok..

Answer 6

Did she say dialated or at minus 1 station? they are two different things...

Answer 7

you can be 1 cm dilated for weeks....especially if it's NOT your first baby...........totally normal.

***just keep alert for any signs of labor though***

Answer 8

Look like but the best is ask your doctor.

Answer 9

Erm.. it could be.. go back.. just incase.. just to find out there's no major problems. Good luck! =D

Answer 10

Shouldn't you call and ask her? Kinda an odd question to ask here. I think you are.