1 cm dilated 80% effaced -1 engaged

[l_sugar_mama_l]

I was wondering I will be 38 weeks Sunday and I went to the doctor today and I am 1 cm dilated 80% effaced and -1 engaged.  I am not sure about the engagement...  What are the different stages... Just to know how engaged I am...  Do you all think it will be soon?  I am so excited...  How much longer should I expect to wait?  I know it is different with every person but just some opinions please. :D  I cannot wait...

[BabieBambina]

I am 39 weeks and 2 days. I went to the doctor thursday an my doctor said i was 80% effaced and 1- 2 dialated, He wants me to come back on tuesday he said if i am at 100 % effacement and at least 3 centimeter  dialated, he will induce me. Do you think that will happen for me? anyhow later on that afternoon i had a brownish red  like pd. in my pantys when i went to the restroom, I have not seen it again. do you think that was my bloodyshow or do u think that was from the eternal exam i was given? It was nothing like my past exams discharge looks...... I am so ready and i hope this is it!!!! FEEDBACK PLEASE LADIES......  

[from NC]

I took castor oil at 37 weeks with my first two pregnancys. Ans it worked for both of them. I took 1 tablespoon then chased it with coke. two hours later I was in labor. I was only in labor for 5 hours with both of them. They were both born healthy. With my first one it gave me really bad diarrea. With my second I had no bathroom visits at all. So it doesn't always give you the poops, But I hav 36 weeks pregnant now. with my third child I have tried the castor oil 3 times now and it has not worked this time. So I can only assume that it only works if your body is ready to have the baby. If not then it's just not gonna happen. i plan on trying it one more time at 37 weeks. If nothing happens then. I'll just let nature take it's course. But it doesn't hurt to try for those who worry it will hurt the baby. It doesn't my dr. knew I had taken it and didn't tell me not to. Leading me to believe it's harmless.

[mumwith#4]

Hi - congratulations on making this far! You must be very excited about the onset of labour being so close. Well at least it sounds like it's close but in actual fact it might be further away then you think - sorry! With my 3 pregnancies I engaged from around 35-36 weeks with each one but of course there are variations of engagement and actually no one checked my effacement levels probably until I was in active labour. I can tell you that my waters broke on the day I was due for my first 2 babies and a week early with my third and each time I went into active labour within the hour. By the time I got to hospital and to the labour rooms I was always shocked to find I was only 3-4cm dilated!!! (They reakon you usually dialate about 1cm an hour so it sounded like I had a long way to go!) but then I ended up dialating at a faster rate with each labour and #2 and #3 were only 3 hour labours from the time my waters broke at home until they were born in hospital...it was pretty easy actually and I'm hoping that #4 will be even easier!!! My very first labour started out the same way as the others except that for me the labour lasted 7 hours before she was born (the boys were much faster LOL!!!). Unfortunately there's not always a great sign that labour is imminent (starting) unless you're one of those like my friend whose waters broke at home and she had one contraction and then pushed out her baby on the loungeroom floor!!!! - But this is not common don't worry and it was her second. If this is your first labour then you don't know what to expect and how your body will deal with labour and you might not know what to look out for...it's all so exciting though. Just think this time next month you'll definately have a newborn baby in the house and things will never be the same again!!! Keep us posted!

[Red_Rose]

From what I remember with my second pregnancy I was 1cm from very early lol! I had a hot bath during what I thought was braxton hicks and that got things going , along with alot of love making! All the best!

[shyan]

but if u r going to do the castor oil thing just don't drink the whole bottle, that's what they told me to do, so just trust me....lol it wasn't very pleasent.......

[jgirl34]

-1 station means the baby is still above the pubic bones (of course!) You will hear the term "drop" or "lightening" that means the baby has dropped a little into the pelvic area like youe little one has. At my 36 weeks visit I was almost 1 cm dilated and the baby had dropped and I had effaced just not sure how much, being this is my 4th I don't even ask! Mainly because I know it can happen overnight or in weeks! With my daughter I never dilated she was my first and I went 2 days over before they induced. With my son I was 2-3 cm dilated and went exactly at the 40 weeks. With my youngest I was 37 weeks and was 3-4 cm and actually started labor and was induced because things wouldn't go into active labor on their own at 37.5 weeks. So you never know. Some women are dropped, dilated and effaced for weeks while others are closed thick and high and go into labor the next day. It's all about when the baby is ready. You only have 2 weeks to go not long at all. I only have two weeks as well, I'm 37 weeks but they said they are going to induce a week early because shes big so good luck if I don't talk to you until then and keep us posted as I will do the same :)

[dani_dar]

I took a long walk then came home took 2 table spoons of castor Oil and then had sex and went to sleep 3hours later I woke up and had lost my mucus plug went to the hospital and had my daughter 3 1/2 hours later. Did the same thing with my son and laybor lasted 47min. They also say eat spicy food and drive down a bumpy road. When the contractions start do not lay on your side it will slow them down. get up and walk or take a hot shower.

[jgonzales]

SO the ball really works? Im taking  lamaze class. and she said alot o ppl like the ball... should I buy one?
now that im in lamaze.. im freaking out about giving birth..
and im only 27 weeks...lol

[LilLadyee]

I was dialated to 1 cm for 2 weeks. But going on a walk or walking as much as possible could help. When I started into labor they had me walk for an hour rest for an hour walk for an hour etc. It actually helped with the start of labor. Also I used a excercise ball and sat on it leaned my head and arms on the bed and rolled side to side. It worked pretty good too. Good luck.. Just a little bit of time left.

[jgonzales]

I would try walking.. it can take a while.. but every body is different..
I'm so happy for u:)