Define established labour to me please?

[evaangel]

Do you have to be 4cm or more dilated? tia

4cm or more dilated and fully effaced with regular and painful contractions.

painfull contractions? Isn't that a bit subjective? And what does fully effaced mean?

Fully effaced = cervix shortened, softened and thinned
And yes, painful contractions is a bit wishy washy but some multips wander around 4cm dilated for weeks, but without contractions it's not labour!

I think the midwives say it's when you can't talk to them on the phone during a contraction. Then it's time to come in (if you're going in for the birth).

Painful - it's the transition bit you want to watch for - that sends me a bit mental.

I think you know when in established labour - unable to speak through a contraction - and generally you feel as if your body is taking control!

Except there are no hard and fast rules. I waddled into labour ward at 3.30pm with regular but not really very painful contractions. Had been having regular contractions (4-5 mins apart) since about 10am that morning - they were akin to bad period pain in bursts so uncomfortable certainly but manageable. Certainly could have a conversation no problem. DS was in my arms at 6.

Only went to hospital because parents were stressing (just as well I did).

Went from 4cm when I was examined at about 4.30 to 10cm 20mins later. I would say that it got a heck of a lot more painful then and took about an hour to push DS out.