35 Weeks - 1cm Dilated

I am 35 weeks and 4 days pregnant with boy/girl twins. I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday and he checked my cervix. He said that I am 1cm dilated and 50-60% effaced. I am freaking out a little, okay a lot. This is my first pregnancy and I am not sure what to expect. I have been having NST twice a week and they say that I am having contractions. However, I don't really feel them. Everyone keeps telling me that when I have real contractions, I will know. I do sometimes feel my stomach get hard but it is not really all that painful. Is anyone else have any experience with this? I am just wondering how much longer it will be. I want to keep my babies in as long as possible because I am delivering in a hospital without a NICU. Thanks for listening. I am trying to figure out what to expect.

 

Every one and every pregnancy is different, so unfortunately there is really no way to say how long it will be. Congratulations for making it this far though!! The end is near! :woo: Keep up the good work!

 

Hi, I also get the NST but every week..and so far no contractions.However there are times that my stomach feel extremely tight (though not painful at all) When I see the specialist & doc...they always ask me have I been feeling any contractions (this is my 1st pregnancy as well) and I tell them that I don't know what that feels like and they always say to me.."oh you will know!" supposely stomach tightening,back aches,and menstral like cramps. But you are approaching 36 wks. and I for one think that you did an awesome job to make it thus far. I asked my dr. based on the length & texture of my cervix and the NST's and other procedures that they perform on me can they sorta guesstimate when I may go into labor...and they tell me no they can not say and that those babies will come when they are good and ready.I am to the point where I can't walk (seriously)!the boys are like 17 inches long and 4lbs 14 oz-4lb 7oz and I say that when they reach 6lbs a piece...I think that I will be ready to give in to labor & delivery. I was told that at thia point they are gaining 6-8 ozs. a week now..so I went to the grocery store and bought food to help promote their growth-brocoli,milk,ensure,juice,fruits. I never heard of a hospital that did not have a NICU so I can understand your concern about holding them in there long.Although they possibly could be born at 36-37 wks. there is no guarantee that they will need NICU time...and they may have the proper equipment to accomodate your babies needs right there in the room with you (ask them).Just a personal suggestion...I say focus on getting their weights up,keep taking your vitamins,and take it really easy to hold them in there. Good Luck!!!

 

You can stay at 1cm for a long time. :hug: Try not to worry. You are at a good time in your pregnancy in that if you deliver right now, your babies should be just fine. I'd keep them baking as long as I could, but don't stress over it!

 

I just posted 2 days ago with almost the exact same question. I am 35 weeks also and 1 cm and 90% effaced. Today I feel like I am having contractions (never been pregnant before so just guessing). I am totally clueless so sorry I can't help just wanted you to know your not alone! How far away is the nearest NICU?

 

I am there with you too. :hug: I am 34 weeks 1 day and at my appt. earlier this week I found out I was 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced. I was quite shocked to hear that because I haven't noticed contractions. I have also noticed what seems to be like pieces of my mucous plug dislodging over the past two weeks. I know everyone is different but now I am concernced that I will have these babies earlier than I thought. I always thought for sure I would carry them 37 weeks at least. I have asked others for their experience but it seems like it is so varying it doesn't help any!

 

I just wanted to let you no that my girls were born at 35wks 4 days and didn't have any NICU time. I also have a friend who was 1cm dialted for 4 weeks! So that doesn't necessarily mean you are about to deliver.

Just take it easy and one day at a time.

ETA: I also delivered in a clinic with no NICU. (In fact in a city with no NICU or even an infant respirator).

 

Thanks so much for all the support. The closest NICU is about an hour away and I chose to deliver in town because I really can't imagine driving an hour when I am in labor. My goal all along has been to make it to 37 weeks. I am just going to put my feet up and rest a lot and try to keep them in there as long as possible. I keep talking to them and telling them that we are almost ready for them, if they could just hold out a little longer. I am so excited to have them come because I can't wait to meet them. I just have so many concerns as a first time parent and I keep having all these crazy dreams about not knowing I'm in labor and having them at home. My DH was more than a little freaked out when I told him that I am dilated to 1cm. The doctor said he could touch our son's head! This pregnancy has just flown by and I think even though I have read at least a dozen twin books so far, nothing I can do will really prepare me. That is why I am so thankful that I found this sight.

 

I was already 3 cm at 35 weeks ... made it all the way until my induction. No contractions though! 1 cm at 35 weeks with twins is not bad at all. In the end you never know! I was 1 cm at 37 weeks with my first, she didn't come until over 41 weeks!

 

I'm 34 weeks along and also 1 cm dilated. I notice my contractions, though. I probably have 5-10 Braxton Hicks contractions every hour at night. I can see them; my stomach really contorts into this tight ball in the middle. They've recently become uncomfortable but not painful. They're worse when my bladder is full. My doctor is aware of the contractions (I've had them during exams in her office) but is not concerned. She just said to head straight to the emergency room if the contractions become painful (i.e., if they become real contractions) or if my water breaks.

I'm presently scheduled for a c-section at 37 weeks 6 days, but my doctor now predicts (in light of my 1 cm dilation and slightly elevated blood pressure, both of which are new developments) that I won't make it that far. I'm hoping to get to 36 weeks, just about where you are. They'll likely be fine if they're born at 36 weeks. Remember that twins mature a little earlier than singleton babies; your twins' lungs are probably ready. So don't worry. I am also delivering in a hospital without a NICU, but if anything is wrong with the babies my pediatrician and my hospital's staff can do enough to stabilize them until they can be transported to a NICU. Yours too, probably. So try not to worry about that either.