Can you be in Labour at 1cm dilated?

Babynumbeeone · 2023-02-28T19:40:15+00:00

Had a check this morning - baby very low and 1cm dilated. Seem to have had a bloody show since then and random contractions (mild). i’m 39 weeks - could this be it or do you need to be more dilated for it to be go time?

AuntyMabelandPippin · 28/02/2023 19:59

Well, I had a show in the morning, started contractions in the evening, then I was 1cm dilated when I went in early morning with my first, but they wouldn't send me home as my contractions were too strong.

Could well be the start. Stay home as long as you can for comfort if you're feeling ok. Good luck!

Iwasntgettingasandwich · 28/02/2023 20:05

I was only 1cm dilated when I went into labour with dd1 and not at all with dd2 - only a few hours before the mw was completely unable to do a sweep and as was 10 days overdue she said I'd needed to be booked in for an induction. Few hours later, baby!

smokeyrabbit · 28/02/2023 20:08

I was 1cm for daaaaaaays- it was so frustrating as I was contracting too.

pebbles3004 · 28/02/2023 20:09

Yes - you are in early/latent labour :) have a Google at the different stages of labour if you aren't familiar with them.

This early stage could last a while - for me it lasted 48 hours. But it's different for everyone, so hopefully it's a bit quicker for you! The next stage is established labour, which is when you are 4cm dilated and the hospital will admit you to continue labouring with them.

Rest up as much as you can now, eat food and drink plenty of water to get your energy levels up - you have a big day or two ahead of you! Try and sleep as much as you can, this could be the last chance you get for... well, months 😆

Good luck 😊

GarveySister · 28/02/2023 20:15

smokeyrabbit · 28/02/2023 20:08

I was 1cm for daaaaaaays- it was so frustrating as I was contracting too.

Same! Was so annoying.

Blablablanamechangagain · 28/02/2023 20:29

I deffo was in labour and never went past 2cm dilated 🤣 46 hours of going through the motions, shit loads of drugs and intervention, 1 emergency c sec later, boom. Baby. 🤣 she wanted out, my cervix just said nooo thanks. Hopefully you'll have a much easier ride.

Good luck! 🥰

Chickenly · 28/02/2023 20:46

Anything is possible in labour. I was 4cm with DD and she was out 20 minutes later - in fairness, she had the world’s teeny-tiniest head.

Original poster

Babynumbeeone · 28/02/2023 20:47

Thank you! Fingers crossed this is the start

OP posts:

Chickenly · 28/02/2023 20:48

Chickenly · 28/02/2023 20:46

Anything is possible in labour. I was 4cm with DD and she was out 20 minutes later - in fairness, she had the world’s teeny-tiniest head.

Oh, and good luck and congratulations!!!

lifeturnsonadime · 28/02/2023 20:49

I went from 3 -10 in 30 mins for my children. For me 1 cm was definitely labour.

lifeturnsonadime · 28/02/2023 20:50

Babynumbeeone · 28/02/2023 20:47

Thank you! Fingers crossed this is the start

Fingers crossed. It is the start hopefully it won't be too long. Equally hopefully it won't be too quick. Super speedy births can be a bit traumatic.

KievsOutTheOven · 28/02/2023 21:03

Blablablanamechangagain · 28/02/2023 20:29

I deffo was in labour and never went past 2cm dilated 🤣 46 hours of going through the motions, shit loads of drugs and intervention, 1 emergency c sec later, boom. Baby. 🤣 she wanted out, my cervix just said nooo thanks. Hopefully you'll have a much easier ride.

Good luck! 🥰

Same with me, but I did eventually get to 4cm.

I had the opposite of an incompetent cervix. My cervix was fully competent.

Turefu · 28/02/2023 21:19

I was 1cm dilated, when I came to the hospital with regular contractions , every 3 minutes. I was sent back home, as I wasn’t in labour , went for burger, came back home and once I was passing my door, my waters broke. My son was born eight hours later and that long only because he got stuck and had to delivered with forceps. Fingers crossed for you, OP!

TheGoogleMum · 28/02/2023 21:24

Maybe but it could be a while. I found the hospital didn't count it for me until I got to 4cm

Original poster

Babynumbeeone · 01/03/2023 08:23

Thanks all - they ramped up overnight so I went in. I’m now 6cm (with epidural) and hoping the baby arrives today!

OP posts:

Minfilia · 01/03/2023 08:32

At 6cm with an epidural I think it’s probably safe to say it will happen soon 😁

I was 1cm to having a baby in my arms within 6 hours with my first!

pebbles3004 · 01/03/2023 21:01

@Babynumbeeone how are you and baby? Hope all went well

SeriousFaffing · 01/03/2023 21:14

Blablablanamechangagain · 28/02/2023 20:29

I deffo was in labour and never went past 2cm dilated 🤣 46 hours of going through the motions, shit loads of drugs and intervention, 1 emergency c sec later, boom. Baby. 🤣 she wanted out, my cervix just said nooo thanks. Hopefully you'll have a much easier ride.

Good luck! 🥰

@Blablablanamechangagain same! Plus baby in a funny position plus massive head. Think that no one believed how much pain I was in because I ‘wasn’t dilated enough’. Finally had a c-section 72 hours in. Awful.

SparkyBlue · 01/03/2023 21:30

Yes I was 1cm dilated and in proper labour

Blablablanamechangagain · 01/03/2023 22:05

SeriousFaffing · 01/03/2023 21:14

@Blablablanamechangagain same! Plus baby in a funny position plus massive head. Think that no one believed how much pain I was in because I ‘wasn’t dilated enough’. Finally had a c-section 72 hours in. Awful.

Show quote history

72 hours. Jesus, I thought mine was bad. Yes they kept trying to tell me I couldnt be in that much pain. Funnily it was my DH who convinced them I do normally have a decent pain threshold so he didnt think I was exaggerating! 🤣🤦🏼‍♀️

x2boys · 01/03/2023 22:24

My labours were very.long and drawn out i.was 1 cm for days with both my boys
I think they class it as active labour from 3/4 cm?
but obviously everyone's different and you can progress very quickly .

SeriousFaffing · 01/03/2023 22:39

Well done to your DH and thank god for him being there to advocate for you!

Ha yep and they were going to send me to be induced after that 72 hours… It was me who was like ‘sod this, this can’t be right!’ And I demanded the c-section and the assessing doctor thankfully agreed that a section was indeed an option that I could have (my midwife had said “no you don’t! Everyone says that!”). So grateful that the agony overruled my usual people-pleasing politeness…

It’s always interesting to find people with experiences similar to my own, as so little was explained after the first time around. Very recently had an ELCS (was NOT chancing going through all that again) for my second son and the surgeon very kindly shed a bit of light beforehand that it could potentially have been the shape of my hips causing the problem previously - do you think that this was perhaps the case for you too?

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 01/03/2023 22:49

Hope you’re enjoying some newborn cuddles op!

@SeriousFaffing
I had an emergency section cos of failure to progress - story of my life! I always wondered why too. A nurse once told me I had androgynous hips - maybe I’m the wrong shape 🤔

SeriousFaffing · 01/03/2023 23:03

@Allmyarseandpeggymartin ha yeah I feel it’s a bit on brand for me too.

Potentially makes the hypobirthing mantra of ‘your body is the right size for your baby’ quite incorrect.

Allmyarseandpeggymartin · 02/03/2023 19:01

@SeriousFaffing oh defo - DS was 9.5 pounds!!