Does this mean I'll deliver late?

[sweetangel7]

My doctor last checked me at 36w for effacement and dilation...he said I was effaced (didn't say how much) and that he could feel baby's head.  At my 37w appointment he asked if I'd been having contractions...I told him sporadically: a few one day, none the next, a few the next day etc.  They are HOURS apart if I do have them...seems like Braxton Hicks maybe although they can be quite breathtaking at times.  Well, I went for my 38w appointment last week and he asked me the same question, I gave him the same answer and he said no sense in checking my dilation because if I wasn't having regular contractions, even if I was 1cm dilated, it wouldn't mean anything.  He explained that women can be 1-3cm dilated weeks before birth and it gives them false hope that they are going to deliver early etc.

I'm 39w tomorrow and I don't have my appointment until Thursday so I'll be getting close to 40w...
I'm starting to worry that I'm going to go later than my DD (4-20) Do you think because I'm not dilated yet this means I'm going to go late?

Is there still hope that my body might kick into gear at the end of the week and do its job!?

[spade22]

No, it doesnt mean that.  Things can change very quickly in pregnancy and there is just no good way to predict what will happen in your case.

[jenkaye21]

No, I agree, labor can start at any time and many women are not dilated at all beforehand.  I have never been dilated at any of my appointments before delivering my three; the first WAS a week late and had to be induced (I was not dilated AT ALL at 41 weeks), the second was 9 days early, and the third was right on time.  So there is really NO way to know!
Remember, tho, that first babies are more likely to go overdue.
Good luck, it can't be long now!

[kjbutcher]

oh that means nothing!  you can go from nothing to full in a matter of hours.  I dont really think that there are any indicators for going past a due date.

[debgunn23]

we have the same due date :)  well im 80% effaced and 1cm dialted and +1 station (baby' head) and that was a few weeks ago and im still here. Alot of woman dont have any signs or have any progress. They just wake up one night and go into labor. Like my mother and my friend mendy who had hers a week ago. She wasnt effaced or dialted at all. Her water just broke out of knowhere. The only thing i think about dialating and effacing is that your body is preparing, getting a head start. Which does make labor shorter than starting from the begining. (excluding complications) Every labor is different. We only have maybe 2 weeks, 3 weeks tops before we hold our baby. I know its tough and im def on the end of the rope here. But it will go by quickly.

[sweetangel7]

I just feel so frustrated I guess because there were a ton of April mommies that went early!  AND there is a woman I work with who is due in May and she is already having contractions and dilating.  Patience just isn't my strong point!   Its funny because I am a teacher and I am extremely patient with the kids but I have no patience when it comes to waiting for things (rides, meals, packages...babies!)

[Anya1984]

Hold on there! I am sure that you will be right on time, and if you pass your due date, I believe you can ask to be induced!

[KM604]

My doctor checked me at 36 weeks and I wasn't dilated and the baby was sitting high.  He told me that since I am seeing him weekly, he wouldn't check me unless I was having contractions or feeling different.  Well I had told my hubby I was going to make soemthing up, becuase the suspense will kill me! LOL.  Anyways, the doctor ended up checking me every week anyways.  I also had mild preeclampsia, so that could've been why too, I never really questioned it.  He ended up inducing me because of my condition and told me that since she was sitting high would 99% chance need a c-section - but I told him I wanted to try it on my own first.  I was induced at 39 weeks and I got to 10cm and she was still too high.  After 2 hours of pushing I was able to deliver naturally :)  I'm just telling you this in case your doctor does tell you that you aren't progressing or the baby isn't positioned right - because if I would have listened to my doctor I would of had a c-section.  You have to trust your instincts.  So if you feel you want to be checked, whether you have changes or not, tell the doctor you want to be checked.

[Griggsy]

I know it's so hard not to get frusterated when you are so excited. I would have had my doc check to see if i was dilated because it can happen without having contractions. When you go tomorrow demand to be checked. . .Tell them you have been having them if that's what it takes for them to check you.

Things can change in an instance so hang in there. Lots of walks, sex, pineapples, rasberry leaf tea, and if you're really disperate caster oil!

[sweetangel7]

Where can you get that raspberry leaf tea?

[Mumita]

I think that you can get it at a natural health food store like Whole foods or EarthFare

[NicMom]

You could also try vitamin cottage. Good luck.