Contractions and dilation

[skyrme74]

Hi all im new to this so please bear with me! Im 40+1 and had a sho early this morning. Contractions are 5mins apart and just been sent home from hospital as only 1cm dilated!!! Gutted isnt the word! Any advice or similar experiences?

We are all individuals but in general it isn't just the time between contractions that means that the cervix is dilating but that they are all the same length and strength. For most women contractions need to be roughly 3-4 mins apart, lasting 60 seconds and strong enough to stop you in your tracks for them to be dilating the cervix. As this is your first baby I would advise a warm bath, some co-codamol and a nice light meal (even a glass of wine if you fancy one). Try not to get hung up on the number of centimetres and just focus on the fact that your body is working away for you, making the other changes necessary to birth this baby. Moving baby down, getting them into a good position, thinning the cervix. Good luck

Try and get plenty of rest too, you're heading in the right direction but this could go on for days yet. I was at 1cm at 40wks with my first and still had to be induced at 40+16.

Hi I am a slow dilater even on DC2 my cc needed to last at least 1min30secs every 3 minutes for 2 hours before I was 4 cms. But relaxing in the house can help you prepare for the later ones. Good luck and try not to feel down, Once I hit 4cms things really speed up.

With my first I was contracting strongly and when examined I hadn't even started to dilate and my cervix was posterior. I couldn't go home as the contractions were so strong and I wouldn't let go of the gas and air! The mw told me I had 12 hours to go and needed to get a grip . DD appeared 5 hours later, the mw only just made it having assumed I was miles off delivery! I just felt the need to push and there she was .

Don't get too downhearted, everyone is different. Take the opportunity to try and get some rest and eat if you can, and things will speed up for you soon I am sure. Best of luck.