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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

How long can you remain at 2cms dilation before labour begins?

18 replies

GwarchodwrPlant · 07/10/2009 20:25

My friend who is 38 weeks pregnant went to see the midwife today and after an examination the midwife said she was already 2 cms dilated.

The baby does look low and the midwife said her canal was short and that she could feel the baby's head.

My friend is not experiencing any pain or contractions and I would like to know how long she might be like this before things really kick off for her?

TIA.

OP posts:

TwoSilverBalloons · 07/10/2009 20:44

Hmmm, with ds2 I was told that I was 2cm dilated and it was another 10 days before labour really started. Is this her 1st? as my consultant told me that once you've had a baby your cervix never completely closes.

Original poster

GwarchodwrPlant · 07/10/2009 20:47

No, it is her fourth although the 3rd was a planned caesarean.

OP posts:

Lulumama · 07/10/2009 20:48

if it is her second baby or more then she could be at 2cm simply because she has had a babybefore

why was she examined at 38 weeks?

it could be tonight or not for another 4 weeks, it's impossible to say,but if she she is 2cm and baby is low, then who knows?

Original poster

GwarchodwrPlant · 07/10/2009 21:12

She is due on the 18th and she had a caesarean 13mths ago so they have booked her in for another caesaerean on the 19th as they don't want her to go over. She begged the midwife for a sweep today as she doesn't want to have another caesarean if she can help it.

OP posts:

Pollyanna · 07/10/2009 21:15

I was 2 cm dilated at 35 weeks with ds2 (ad had a few contractions too). then at 40 weeks I was zero cm dilated. I went on to have him at nearly 43 weeks.

Lulumama · 08/10/2009 07:21

she does not have to have another section at all, nor does she have to agree to one at 40 weeks.

if she wants, she can book a section for term + 10 or 12 or 14 if she feels happy to do so and can have exrtra monitoring

some trusts will induce if a woman has had a previous c.s , but her best chance of a VBAc is a spontaneous start to labour, she can refuse a section at 40 weeks.

is her preference to try for a VBAC?

wicked · 08/10/2009 07:23

You can be 2cm dilated for weeks. If it is her fourth child she has a 'multip os'.

Original poster

GwarchodwrPlant · 08/10/2009 14:13

thanks for the advice girls- i won't tell her that it could be a while yet then!

OP posts:

Freyfreysmum · 08/10/2009 14:42

V interesting. I am due today with DD2 and saw mw yesterday who said I am 2cm dilated but cervix is still 2cmish thick, so could have been last night or could be in 2 weeks. Who knowssssss...

wicked · 08/10/2009 20:35

Good luck, Frey

princessmel · 09/10/2009 10:08

Lulu, would it make any difference if her waters were 'bulging'??

And if she was 4cm dialated. (sneaky hijak)

Lulumama · 09/10/2009 19:22

bulging waters and 4cm does sound more ready to go !!

FABIsInTraining · 09/10/2009 19:26

I was on 2cm for ages and ages and then jumped to 10cm.

princessmel · 10/10/2009 08:16

OOh Lulu that is what I want to hear. I am the bulgy 4cm btw....but nothing is happening!!!

Freyfreysmum · 10/10/2009 10:00

Lol I am still waiting too....... come on !x Clearly though I had a lovely nights sleep last night and have washed my hair and got all ready so therefore its not going to be today!

princessmel · 10/10/2009 10:55

I have borrowed a gym ball today so am going to get bouncing....have had more show type stuff today too. Mucousy but not bloody.

Freyfreysmum · 10/10/2009 19:02

Same here - do keep us posted! And are you braving a nice hot spicy curry this eve

TheMysticMasseuse · 10/10/2009 19:15

I had a sweep at 39 weeks (baby was big for dates) and the mw said that i could "fit a doubledecker bus in there". now, given that usually they measure in fingers, i am guessing i was at least 2cm dilated.

had dd2 one week later.

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