Checking to see if I have dilated - is it worth it?

Question

I have a midwife and she doesn't feel as though checking the cervix is necessary... Because she says the baby is going to come whenever it wants to, and you can stay 2 centimeters dialated for a month..(which I completely understand her logic in it)... However, I am curious to see if my body is doing anything yet... but then again I don't want to get disappointed by being dialated to 2 for a month.... I have a strep b test in 2 weeks....I was thinking about having my midwife check then. What are your thoughts? I will be 37 weeks at my next visit....I have been feeling this prickly burning stabbing feeling in my cervix and she says it is probably my cervix softening and or/ the way the baby is sitting......so maybe my body is getting close!!!!

Also I know what dilating is, but what does effaced mean and + station?

Answer 1

I think it is worth it. I had been planning on staying home as long as possible as soon as labor starts. (we live 10 minutes away). But at my last appointment, on Friday, my doctor checked me right after she did my group be strep test because I had lost my mucus plug the night before. I learned I am 3 cm, 60% effaced, and at +1 almost +2 station. She basically told me that as soon as I start feeling contractions (I'm not feeling any yet), go to the hospital instead of waiting at home. She predicts I am going to have a fast labor. So I learned that way that I definately should not stay home as long as possible. Effaced means how much your cervix has thinned out and -/+ stations means the position of the baby in the pelvis. anything in the negatives means the baby is still in the pelvis, and anything in the + means the baby is past the pelvis. +4 station means crowning. Goodluck and congrats.

Answer 2

Effaced is the softness level of your cervix. If you want to increase your effacement, you can take evening primrose oil starting at 36 weeks (one tablet). Then at 37 weeks, 2 tablets. 38 weeks, 3 tablets and 40+ weeks, 4 tablets (or until you're 100% effaced, then stop taking them).

+station refers to where the baby's head is--how far down. I believe that +2 is either crowning or just about to.

And yes, your midwife is right--cervical checks can introduce bacteria and infection into you. So it's good that she's being minimal about it. If you want the checks, remind yourself that the numbers don't matter. That way, you know the information, but don't get disappointed OR excited. If you're worried you will get disappointed, don't get the check. Just imagine yourself opening up and trust that your body is doing what it's supposed to.

If you want to know how useless the checks are--I was 100% effaced by 39 weeks, and 3cm dilated for 4 weeks before I went into labor at 41 weeks, 6 days and I had my baby at 42 weeks--but I had Braxton Hicks contractions from 32 weeks on. I had full labor contractions from weeks 38-42. Everyone was certain that I'd go into labor and give birth at 38 weeks. It didn't happen and it made waiting all the harder!

Oh, and my labor was 22 1/2 hours long. Effacement and dilation mean NOTHING until you're 100% and 10cm!

Answer 3

Just ask her I don't think she can refuse to check you for dilation.

Effacement is the shortening, or thinning, of the cervix before or during early labour. Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina. The mucus may be tinged with blood and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show (or simply "show").

As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is followed by cervical dilation.

Station means where the baby's head is at as it descends

Answer 4

effaced is the thinning of you cervix. You have to 100% effaced to deliver baby. I would ask to be check for a piece of mind. My doctor is the same way about stuff and it makes me so mad! I have felt the same feeling in cervix but mine was more like it was being pinched. So I ask people on yahoo answers about it and most said that it could mean labor is near. How ever I don;t know yet. I go back to the doctor in the morning for my 37 week check up. Maybe I will know then and can tell you what my doctor said.

Answer 5

effacing is when the cervix opens from bottom to top (gets smallar) and dialation is from side to side. the stations are where the baby's head is at. Like -2 is high and +2 is in the vaginal canal on its way out. 0 station is right at the cervix. hope that helps...and I would also want to know where my body is at...you should ask about if you are dialated or not and have an idea about what your body is doing! good luck and congrats!

Answer 6

effaced means the thining of the cervix you have to be 100% to have the baby

Answer 7

your well-being care expert will verify to confirm once you're dialating via the thirty seventh week. i'm 36 weeks now i would be 37 on thursday and my next apt is wednesday. the well-being care expert reported thats while he will start up checking. you're nonetheless to early to be dialating, except you're having issues that would desire to point early dialation, then he will handle those issues.

Answer 8

No. You might as well be watching the Grass grow! The LESS attention you pay to the Baby's arrival- the SOONER it will come... Listen to your Midwife, she seems to know her stuff. :)