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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How quickly (or slowly) can cervix change? Is it possible to go from zero to labour in 3 days?

19 replies

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 18:58

Hi everyone,

This is my first baby & although am now 40+6 I was confident that things would happen soon, as the baby's head has been engaged for weeks and weeks. The midwife visited today and attempted a sweep but it seems by cervix is nowhere near ready. Still high and posterior. Think we were both a bit shocked and went ahead with booking my induction. As the day I will be 42 weeks falls on a Monday, they're keen to bring me in sooner (they don't seem to like doing inductions over the weekend). So, am signed up to go in on Thursday (41+3) for the pessary with the IV part scheduled for the next day if am still not in labour.

I've spent the day trying to reassure myself about induction & wondered if I should just accept now that there's no chance I will start naturally or if the cervix can change over the next few hours/days? Any information or experiences would be great as I can't seem to find anything specific about timeframes for cervical effacement & dilation.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 15/05/2011 19:00

It is entirely possible.

Remember too, that you don't have to go in at 41+3, and that you are well within your rights to wait until after the weekend (or longer should you so desire) for induction, particularly if you're scheduled for that date just because 'they don't like doing them at the weekend'

Original poster

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 19:04

Oh thanks for reply. I am considering refusing the pessary if assessment shows my cervix is still nowhere near ready on Thursday and asking to come in over weekend instead. My midwife was really supportive of this but I have no idea if that's me just being stubborn or if it would have any impact on the outcome!

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 15/05/2011 19:14

If she's supportive then wait. The more ready your body is for labour then the easier it should be. Best of luck :)

Original poster

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 19:20

Am just still clinging to hope it won't come to induction but think I may be kidding myself.

OP posts:

jellyvodkas · 15/05/2011 19:23

yes

OnesAmpleBosom · 15/05/2011 19:24

I went from the midwife saying nowhere near to baby being born in 5 minutes so it is possible

Checkmate · 15/05/2011 19:24

It can all happen fairly quickly, don't dismiss the thought of it happening naturally.

But getting you in at 41+3 to suit their needs, rather than your medical needs, is appalling. I wouldn't be turning up to that if I were you, the Monday when you are actually 42 weeks will be fine, or you may choose to opt for expectant management.

Flisspaps · 15/05/2011 19:25

It might not come to induction, you've got aaaaaaaaaaaaages yet before Thursday.

I'll reiterate that you don't have to go for induction at all unless you WANT to - no-one's stayed pregnant forever and as long as you're monitored and all is well, there's no actual need.

Flisspaps · 15/05/2011 19:32

Checkmate I think it's bloody appalling too, prime example of how induction can be done to make life easier for the medical profession rather than doing what is best for mother and baby.

Original poster

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 19:42

To be fair I didn't exactly enter into the discussion much as I was still stunned. And the midwife encouraged me to consider Thursday as assessment but not to accept medical intervention unless I was ready.

OP posts:

nightshade · 15/05/2011 19:42

totally possible. was booked for induction at 40 +10 with first. baby hadn't even dropped. went into labour two nights before induction, babt born at time i was to be booked in.

second baby, not in active labour in afternoon (2cm at 3pm) baby delivered at 10pm that day.

reflexology definitelt helped with first, to get things going. think afirming thoughts and imagine everything opening up!!!

Original poster

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 19:45

Or rather she didn't discourage my suggestion!!

OP posts:

sprinkles77 · 15/05/2011 19:53

in the defence of the doctors, one of the reasons they'd rather not start an induction over the weekend is cos they might have fewer senior staff available. Inductions are usually planned because, on average, placental function deteriorates over time, which is not good for the baby. However, if you do not want an induction when they are advising, it would probably be sensible to ask for monitoring (once a day) and to count kicks, both of which should give warning signs (all beit not that reliable) as to how your baby is getting on.

Original poster

peedieworky · 15/05/2011 23:09

Thanks for all your messages. Yes sprinkles77 - the reason for avoiding weekends is there is only one medical team on - whereas 2 during week. Have to admit am a bit neurotic so not sure my nerves could stand going past Monday! Nightshade - thanks for the tip-off re reflexology. A friend mentioned this months ago and I completely forgot but have contacted the person she went to and hope to go along on Tuesday. If nothing else a wee pamper session will do me no harm

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confuddledDOTcom · 15/05/2011 23:56

The placenta is not just going to go bad over night. There is increasing thought/ evidence that pregnancy is dated 15 days too early (at least) and then you have to factor in that everyone has their own personal term and you don't really know how far along a woman is. A baby can be both postmature by dates but also premature by development and as a unit mum I've seen some of those.

Take it a day at a time, there's no reason to rush if you don't want to as someone else said no one has been pregnant forever. Gestations of 44 weeks are rare but do happen and the baby born as though it was supposed to be born then. Some women will regularly deliver at those kind of gestations because that's what's normal for their body.

Zimbah · 16/05/2011 12:25

I am in a similar (ish) position but my due date is one day after yours - I'm 40+6 today. Had second attempted sweep yesterday but my cervix is still posterior. Baby has been 2/5 engaged for 3 weeks. This is my second, but as DD1 was ELCS for breech it's more similar to a first labour. I'm going for another sweep (attempt) on Wednesday and will book another one for the weekend as well - can you ask for one or more attempted sweeps and book in for a later section e.g. at exactly 42 weeks, or at 42 +1 if you're not confident going any longer than that?

peachyuk · 16/05/2011 13:43

i was 9 days overdue, had an induction booked as i was 2/5th and my cervix was still high

12hrs after being given the date for induction i had given birth

majormoo · 16/05/2011 14:41

A few days before I had my ds2 the midwife could not do the sweep as cervix was high, closed etc. I came away really miserable. He was born a few days later naturally! I did have an induction with my DD as she was two weeks late and it was fine. All over and done with in a few hours.

Original poster

peedieworky · 16/05/2011 18:26

Thanks - these messages really help cheer me up. Got reflexology booked for 1130am tomorrow. If that doesn't work I've made my mind up to follow all your advice & not take Thursday's induction plans as set in stone. Am keen to get a picture of what's happening but if my body isn't telling me it's ready, I'll go home and wait a few more days before committing to getting induced. Here's hoping reflexology does the trick!

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