effacement and bloody show - what's it mean?

[susanelizabeth]

Hi ladies, I have been having non-stop BH contractions (like 2-3 per hour) but they aren't painful and I had some bloody show this past weekend, my dr. did an internal yesterday and said I am very effaced (cervix thin) but haven't yet dilated and he said that effacement is a good sign for a first time mom because it suggests I should be able to have an 'easy vaginal delivery'.  Also, the baby has dropped a bit too.  PS The dr. said I am measuring well, not too big and not too small.  I am 35w6d.  Is any of this a sign labor is in progress, could I still have 4-5 more weeks?

[JustME9]

I'm not sure if they can tell how long you'll go but I was 6cm dilated and 85% effaced at 35 weeks and they stripped my membranes TWICE and I still went to 39 1/2 weeks..It was a LONG month LOL! Good luck!

[JustME9]

I think the good thing was my body had already done most of the hard work up until I was in hard labor...so when I got to the hospital I was already complete and a few pushes later my little guy was here! =)

[susanelizabeth]

Wow!  Was that your first baby?

[JustME9]

Ya that was my first..and he was 8-2oz...my second was even easier as I dilated and effaced early too...my third (my smallest baby @ 7-6) I dilated early on too (started at 24 weeks) and labor was pretty easy too..it did hurt, but i really think that since my body did some of the work before I was in labor made my labors much easier =) Enjoy...labor is my FAVORITE part =)

[heather2003]

Good for you! :)

At my 35 week appointment, she said my cervix was closed.. :(  
I haven't had the nubmer of B-H's that you have, but I was hoping for some progress.

Anyway, just wanted to send some happy 36 week vibes to ya.

When's your next appointment?

My doc doesn't want to see me again until week 38... waiting, waiting, waiting...

-Heather

[kck]

I was 100% effaced about 2 months before I delivered my daughter and 5 cm. dilated the week before.  Everyone is different.  You could go soon, or it could still be several weeks.  The BH contractions I had were just like yours and like Kellie said, labor was quick and easy because of the work my body did early on.

[susanelizabeth]

I go back again next week to see what is happening.  I'm hoping there is some dilation by then.  I'm at the point now where I'm like - ok, let's get the show on the road!

[mani75]

i have never been prgnant , but im just curiousand a quick question...
q:when your body has done a bit of work b4 , do u still need to take that epidural to ease the pain or the pain is actually bearable???

[JustME9]

In my opinion the worst part is pushing the baby out.  At least I could semi breathe myself through the contractions before pushing.  I was just delerious and breathed in and out really deep.  But seriously as soon as the head was out..I forgot it all..was up w/in 20 minutes walking around and went home 6 hours later...it was a GREAT recovery.

[heather2003]

SusanElizabeth-

Wow- an appointment every week- how nice :)
You'll have to keep us updated.
(I'm ready too- days are creeping by ever so slowly).. :)

KellieD- How fortunate for you! Lets hope the next one goes as smoothly ;)

-Heather

[Paris2003]

I've never been pregnant either , but I am TTC. Your stories of easy labor remind of my sisters. They both had short labors, I can only hope that when I do get pregnant I have the same fortune. My little sister pushed for about a half an hour and the entire monrning before hand didn't even realize she was in labor. She said she thought she just had some slight cramps, her husband was the one that dragged her to the hospital. My older sisters first was pretty short and easy, so she says. And he second baby she had pretty fast and the next day dragged me out so she could finish her Christmas shopping, talk about one tough chick! Botrhe my sister babies were around 9lbs.

[susanelizabeth]

Heather - how are you coping with the last stages of pregnancy?  I find myself kind of scared.  I'm worried about the labor and caring for the baby when she is here and her health.  I just wish I could relax!  Do you have any idea how big your little one is?  All I know is almost 7 weeks ago she was 3 lbs and around the 50 percentile but I have no clue how big she is now!

[heather2003]

:)
Well, your doctor seems to be more "on top of it" than mine... I even have to remind mine of how far I am every visit- So, I don't have any information on size.

I find myself getting really anxious sometimes- like I want to crawl out of my skin.. I've been doing alot of praying for patience.

I even made one of those 'paper chains' to count down the days - LOL!

I have to keep giving myself little benchmarks to look forward to - baby shower this weekend, dr. appt. on the 17th, Mom visiting on the 27th... etc...

I'm a little nervous about labor & delivery but figure that'll be easier than most of parenting, right?

I haven't read any parenting books or anything- I just figure I'll cross bridges when I come to 'em... Maybe it's naive, but it's kept me sane :)

It'll be fun to see how it goes for both of us - keep us updated here, k?

Take care,
-Heather

[kck]

I had an epidural even though my body did do much work ahead of time.  I felt a few painful contractions on the way to the hospital and a few after I got there.  I got the epidural right away, and didn't feel any pain the rest of the time.  In my opinion, the worst pain of having a baby is the healing afterward.  I never felt anything the whole time I had the epidural.  I was scared to death of the big needle, but I looked up at my husband and asked when the big needle would go in and he said, "It already has."  I didn't even feel it.  I highly recommend an epidural to everyone.

[gouri]

Hello everyone,
I am 5.3 weeks pregnant. In nov I had a natural miscarriage in 7 weeks. My hcg & progesterone levels did not rise. Now my levels are hcg 3151 & progesterone 15.8. From yesterday I am on progesterone suppliment(200mg tablets). My question is I had severe breast pain last week.It is not there now. I can feel the pain only when I press teh breats. Last time I had nausea, tiredness etc, but nothing this time. I understand every pregnancy is different, but why I don't have breast pain like last week? I have read that disappereance of pregnacy symptoms is symptom of miscarriage, so I am really really worried. Is there anyone with this problem & had a normal pregnancy?
someone please reply soon...
gouri

[kck]

I am almost 14 weeks pregnant.  At around 6 weeks, I lost my breast tenderness.  Like you, I felt it was a sign of another miscarriage.  My doctor told me that it didn't mean that, especially since it wasn't my first child.  Some women never feel breast tenderness after their first child, and some with their first child lose the tenderness pretty early.  I heard the heartbeat for the second time yesterday and all is well.  Hopefully, all is well for you too.  If you are still concerned call your doctor.  Nothing eases your mind until you know for sure.  Maybe they will do an ultrasound or something.

[jackie09]

i am 39 weeks pregnant and the doctor has told me yesterday that i haven't dialated at all. but i've been feeling sharp pains in my vagina and hip. my stomach gets low sometimes and hard as a rock. are these contractions? i have no idea whats going on ? this is my first time being a mother and my ob/gyn is not very informative.

[snowlion]

i am 41 weeks tomorrow, having contractions for 2 days, not strong enough or close enough together but my cervix is thinned and i just had my bloody show...any clue how much longer?