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Childbirth

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

Original poster

5cm dilated, not really in labour?

35 replies

lavenderlilaclily · 20/01/2022 10:00

I’m a bit confused and was wondering whether anyone had any similar stories/experiences/wise words to offer.

I went for a sweep yesterday afternoon at 39 weeks exactly. I’d had a few niggles and some discharge but generally wasn’t expecting much. The midwife said I was 5cm dilated! She was shocked I hadn’t felt anything - did the sweep, and sent me straight up to the labour ward. There though they assessed me and said that since I wasn’t really feeling painful contractions or anything, I could go home. So I went home, expecting that I had maybe a few hours to go.

But nothing is really happening. A few irregular contractions, but not painful, some cramps on and off but not even enough to need a paracetamol. I was under the impression that at 5cm I was in established labour so I’m really confused!! Baby is moving fine, if anything a bit more active than usual.

I feel a bit impatient and frustrated and also slightly worried, can I just go on for days at 5cm? I’m also annoyed because my husband triggered his paternity leave when they sent me up to the labour ward last night - he’s a teacher so needed to get people to cover his classes etc. And now nothing’s happening and I don’t want him to waste his paternity leave on this!

OP posts:
Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 20/01/2022 17:17

Anyone??? :( I’m going crazy with impatience!

OP posts:
00100001 · 20/01/2022 17:26

It's not wasting paternity leave.

Baby will come when they're ready.

ShirleyPhallus · 20/01/2022 17:28

Wow this is amazing, I’d have loved to be 5cm without noticing!

Honesty OP, enjoy it and go with it. Watch for your waters going as you have an infection risk then but otherwise, relax and wait for the baby to come.

How exciting!

SouthOfFrance · 20/01/2022 17:29

It won't be long whatever happens. Can you do some walks up and down the stairs to try and get things progressing.
If you are annoyed at the paternity leave could you go out for a nice lunch or dinner now while you can, before the baby arrives, just so it feels less 'wasted'? I think I'd feel like that too if I was you!

PinkMoon22 · 20/01/2022 17:32

Wow I'm very impressed at 5cm!!

I agree with walking and up and down stairs.
Me being me id ring in the morning for advise if nothing has progressed!

Good luck!

mummyh2016 · 20/01/2022 19:43

Honestly yes it could go on for days. But equally it could be over in a couple of hours so don't be disheartened!
Could you get in touch with your community midwife and ask for another sweep?

Forshorttheycallmecomp · 20/01/2022 19:45

Love. Walk. Up and down stairs and back again. Round and round the block. Operation get that baby moving is on ;)

(Or at least that’s what I’d do… I didn’t first time round and Labour was much much longer…)

JustWonderingIfYou · 20/01/2022 19:48

Up and down the stairs sideways. Like a crab. Also eat now in case you can't later.

sociallydistained · 20/01/2022 20:01

Wow 5cm. I'm dead on 39 today and feeling niggles and stuff and I wondered if I could be dilated at all yet. Reading this is like 😳 as I'm partially in denial I am nowhere near ready for labour lol

NothingIsWrong · 20/01/2022 20:08

I had this, called silent labour. When I had my final sweep on the Friday, midwife said she could get to 8cm dilated and "see you tomorrow when you've had the baby".

I went into labour at 11pm on the Monday evening and he arrived 45min later about 5min after we got to the hospital. I only had 4 contractions that I felt properly.

NothingIsWrong · 20/01/2022 20:09

By "went into labour", my waters went so we headed to the hospital. Wasn't having contractions until we got there and then boom. Baby.

CustardGoodJamGoodMeatGood · 20/01/2022 20:10

@JustWonderingIfYou

Up and down the stairs sideways. Like a crab. Also eat now in case you can't later.
Second this, stretch your legs outwards sideways and stay active. Get plenty of food down you whilst you can eat, I couldn't stomach much at all even for quite a while after baby was born
FusciasBright21 · 20/01/2022 20:13

Active or established labour is cervical dilation and regular contractions.

Hopefully won't be long! Keep active, eat and rest as much as you can. Get the oxytocin flowing with orgasms and nipple stimulation!

Good luck!!

Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 21/01/2022 09:09

Thanks everyone. Trying to relax about it but it’s hard not to be impatient!

Keeping as active as possible and doing all the yoga stretches, side stair climbing, birth ball bouncing, squatting and walking that i can! But baby seems to be staying put.

I’ve got a midwife appointment this afternoon where they said they’ll probably give me another sweep so here’s hoping!

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Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 21/01/2022 09:12

@NothingIsWrong Wow!! In some ways that sounds fantastic but also I’d be scared of not getting to the hospital on time!

To be fair, my mum had basically a silent labour with my sister, wonder if it’s genetic?

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Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 21/01/2022 09:14

@sociallydistained is it your first baby? I’ve given birth before (and it wasn’t very long ago) so they said that makes it more likely that I’d be dilated but not in labour as such

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elliejjtiny · 21/01/2022 09:16

I got to 3cm with dc3 without any contractions. Was 5cm about 12 hours later and baby born 2 hours after that. Good luck OP

sociallydistained · 21/01/2022 10:31

[quote lavenderlilaclily]@sociallydistained is it your first baby? I’ve given birth before (and it wasn’t very long ago) so they said that makes it more likely that I’d be dilated but not in labour as such[/quote]
Ah okay. Yes it is my first! No such luck for me then 😂

Crazydoglady123 · 21/01/2022 17:05

Oooh I want to follow your story! I'm 40+1 today with baby #2. With baby #1 I was induced with a pessary at 42 weeks and got to the point in the evening they wanted to send me home as I wasn't feeling contractions or in enough pain but did internal first and I was 8cm dilated. I had a sweep yesterday at my midwife appointment and was 2cm dilated, very soft cervix she said was so easy to do a really good sweep. After though I bled and ended up in DAU last night. They think heavy bloody show or sensitive cervix but the midwife on DAU said I'm now 2-3cm. I was sent home and hoped something would happen overnight. I feel tender across my abdomen but I don't feel like anything's going on. I've tried everything today...walking, bouncing on birthing ball, raspberry leaf capsules. Just want to get things going. I'm booked to see my midwife Sunday but she's said she won't do me another sweep because it'll likely start another bleed up. So annoying this limbo stage!

Melroses · 21/01/2022 17:20

I didn't have any 'painful' contractions with my last one - I just recognised the feeling from the previous painful delivery.

Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 22/01/2022 15:37

Still nothing for me :/ feeling very fed up now, had a big cry this morning!
I had another sweep yesterday and the midwife said she would be surprised if I didn’t go into labour that evening…but that’s come and gone!! I did have my show after my sweep which came away all day yesterday but nothing’s come of that, either. Have been staying active but nothing seems to help, baby is staying put :(

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SouthOfFrance · 22/01/2022 15:44

Ah how annoying... I hope it happens for you soon :)

So if you hadn't had the sweeps then you wouldn't even realise you were dilated then? Literally no contractions or anything?

Hang in there Op, it will be worth the wait :)

stairgates · 22/01/2022 16:00

My bets are tonight for you and a real quick one! As soon as you snuggle up in bed things will happen thick and fast so have everything ready to go! How far is the hospital? :)

Original poster
lavenderlilaclily · 22/01/2022 16:50

@stairgates oh goodness I hope you’re right!! Nothing would make me happier. Hospital is about 20 min away so not too bad :)

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dalmatianmad · 22/01/2022 17:14

Sounds like your doing amazing so far, won't be long now....