When do you think LABOR will start for me?

[kellie2003]

Im currently 38 weeks and 5 days today. This is my second pregnancy, i had my first baby at 38 weeks and 4 days and I got pregnant right after 3 months having her. Yes I know it's crazy. But lately I been feeling a lot of dull back aches and having minor contractions. I went to my doctor office to get check yesterday and I am 4 cm dilated. I was wondering if anyone knows when do you think labor will start for me? I'm getting so dis comfortable with all these dull back pain and minor contractions. PLEASE HELP!  

[kellie2003]

Yes, i been trying to have sex but it hurts me too much. But today when i woke up i went to go pee and i notice mucus and blood. im thinking i lost my mucus plug again.

[JoyRenee]

You can refuse an induction; they can't make you come in for an induction if you do not wish to do so. A membrane sweep and breaking your water is a course for least likely intervention and needing Pitocin if you respond well to those procedures. However if your water breaks and you haven't delivered in a certain time frame then they may section you for "failure to progress". Women are ALL different and we respond to labor differently and shouldn't be put on the clock. The risk for infection with your water broken, if you refuse vaginal exams especially, is very, very minimal.

If you want things to happen naturally then avoiding procedures that make you uncomfortable is best. You're already 4cm so that is great! Sounds like early labor which can last a few days and can start-and-stop. Also called Prodromal Labor if you want to research that. Semen has natural prostaglandlins which help soften the cervix so if you CAN have sex that would be really good. Nipple stimulation is also very good at getting labor going. Basically sex and sexual acts release the same hormones you need in order to go into labor so making out and having sex if possible are all good things to do and bonus for hubby since you'll be off limits for awhile when baby is born, ha ha!

[kellie2003]

Yeah I don't want them to break my water or get induce I just want my contractions and labor to just come. But it seems very slow. But I'm at 4 cm dilated already so I'm hoping my contractions will get stronger and closer together.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

The breaking the water idea is great.  It's a natural way of being induced.  This is how my last baby was born.  I was 2cm and very uncomfortable.  My doc put me in the hospital and came in and broke my water.  I started having contractions right away.  A few hours later the nurse checked and said my membranes had been broken but not completely ruptured so the doc came in and did it again.  Boy things FLEW from there.  From start to finish was about 8 hrs and 15 minutes from the time he first broke my water until she was born.  Had my membranes been completely ruptured the first time it probably would have taken less.  Defiantely something to consider.  

[momof1princess]

You are already in active labor if you are past 3 cm. They say walking after you pass a 2 is really effective. If you are having some contractions then I would do whatever you can to make them stronger. Or if you can start timing the contractions you are having, then you might go in and let them check you. If you were to go into the hospital at this point they would admit you if that is what you wanted. They could break your water and I would bet it would bring labor on pretty quickly. This is just my advise to you.

[kellie2003]

yeah I know its hard but I was wondering if i will go into labor within the week or so because my due date is next sunday already. And I don't want to get induce either.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It's so hard to say.  It's obvious your body is gearing up for labor but to pinpoint it is anyones guess.  I know that my 2nd, 3rd and 4th were born at 37 wks, 39 wks and 38 wks respectively.  But then my 5th and 6th were both inductions on my due date!