3cms dilated- will this mean a quick labour?

[parsleymad]

I'm 40+5 and at Dr's appointment this morning she said I was already 3cms dilated. Had been having pains on and off for a few weeks but nothing major. She then did a sweep (which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be).
Had a long hard labour the last time, so I'm wondering will this head start mean a quick labour this time? Anybody?

looking good

It's impossible to say but your body is clearly well prepared - you can't hope for a better start than that! Just remember that you can do it. You did it last time and you can do it again. This time, the 'prize' of a baby will mean more to you.

There's a homeopathic remedy that you can take during the first part of labour called caulophyllum (200c)that is meant to help you dilate and speed that part up.

Are you still there Parsleymad??

Yip, still here! Have been having pains on and off for the last 24 hours. Some have been really strong contractions and if I move around I am in constant pain, but they don't seem to be working their way into a pattern. Not really sure what to do.

Sounds promising- will be thinking of you. I was 3cm when I had a sweep on my due date, but didn't get any pains until 5 days later. My ds was born in under 8 hours from first niggle to birth- and only 3 hours after the pain was enough to get to hospital. Sounds as if you will be holding your baby in your arms very soon. Good luck!

Sounds v similar to me - had pains for about 3 weeks, was 3cm dilated at 40+7 and had sweep. Went into labour 3 days later at 11.30pm and ds was born 2hrs 10mins later! Fingers crossed for you

exactly the same as me with ds2 but i was 40+4! lol

i had the sweep then went into a quick 4 hour labour the next day.

4 hours was much shorter than ds1, who uummmed and ahhhed for 4 days!

Thanks ladies. Pains have all stopped now .
Although don't mind too much as its my birthday tomorrow and I don't want to share!! Am a bit precious about my birthday and selfishly don't want to have to host small boys parties on MY day forevermore!!
Will start all the nipple-tweaking etc etc after my birthday, I think. Due another sweep on friday if i'm still around.

good luck then, and if you can manage it, drop us all a quick post when you think its all starting!
we love a live mumsnet labour!