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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Stretch and sweep and 1-2cm dilated - labour soon?

5 replies

Chris1989 · 26/03/2019 11:21

Hi :) I'm 37+5 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby boy, and I'm scheduled for an elective C-section on the 4th of April because my first was 9lb 4oz (and was estimated to weight 7lb 8oz at 36 weeks), and had to be born via emergency C-section because my labour wouldn't progress and his head was stuck. I had a growth scan at 36 weeks and he was estimated to weight 7lb 9oz, so another big baby I think!

I know if he's the size my previous was I've got no chance of labour, so I've been really hoping that I would go naturally before the C-section. The last few days I've noticed I've been having some snot-like discharge (not a lot, but enough for me to notice), and that the baby seems VERY low (behind my pubic area). My midwife saw me today and I asked for a stretch & sweep which she did, and she said I'm between 1-2cm dilated, and she was able to easily touch babies head. She advised me to go for a long walk, eat curries etc.

Just wondering how long it took other mums to go into labour after being 1-2cm dilated, and if they did anything to help bring it on? My notes also saw my cervix is 'long and effacing', not sure what that means!

OP posts:
Birdie6 · 26/03/2019 11:32

Most women have a 1-2 cm dilated cervix at the end of their second pregnancy - this isn't a sign that labour is coming soon, it just means that your cervix isn't tight like the first time around. "Long and effacing" means the cervix is in the very early stages of opening ( when the cervix is dilated it is described as being "short" in comparison).

So I wouldn't be packing a bag yet - your cervix isn't doing much at the moment .

Chris1989 · 26/03/2019 14:32

Thanks :) I've been having some pain and I noticed a bit of blood when I went to the loo (which I think is normal after a stretch and sweep?), but I won't be getting my hopes up!

OP posts:
Chris1989 · 28/03/2019 15:22

So today I've been having quite a lot of irregular pains and contractions, plus lots of mucus (hopefully from the plug). Had another stretch and sweep today and I'm definitely at 2cm now (bit of progression since Tuesday), and my cervix is only 'slightly' posterior now rather than fully posterior, which I hope is good!

OP posts:
Tootyfrooty35 · 28/03/2019 19:03

Fingers crossed @chris1989 🤞🤞🤞

hiccupgate · 28/03/2019 20:40

I went from 1cm and "halfway towards the front" to early labour in about 12 hours. Lots and lots of walking OP!

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