dilation and effacement

In my last topic I stated that I had two different opinions from docs and i was worried because one said I was dilated to a 4 and the other said a 2. I'm beginning to believe that I was in false labor. I did not want to believe it but thats what its coming down to. I remember when they first said I was a 3 and I felt myself and I could feel the difference too! Well I had an appt yesterday and a diff doc and he said that my cervix had not dilated at all. I was furious once again because I feel like I deserve answers and his confused looking face made me want to turn that room inside out. THEN I spoke with my aunt's sister in law who has a young set of twin boys and she told me that happened to her throughout her pregnancy so it comforted me, but not completely.

Anyway last night and this morning while i was trying to sleep i had some pretty bad cramps all over my stomache. What does this mean? What could it be and should I be worried. I know you guys arent doctors and I feel fine now but I just would love to get some insight on my pregnancy from other moms who are experiencing or have experienced this. I want all opinions good and bad and even if you don't know and you think you do please let me know what you think.

 

When I had my emgerency cerclage done, I was a finger tip, but the cerclage closed it up. I had not felt a thing.
Sorry I can't really be much help, but I would be concerned in your shoes too. I hope you can get some answers from someone!

 

If you are feeling your stomach tightening and then relaxing those are contractions. Just because you are having contractions doesn't neccesarily mean you are in labor. Effacement is the thinning out of your cervix and dialation is it actually opening. Depending on who checks you and how they measure will determine what answer you get about how far dialated you are. I do remember you saying that you see different doctors. If you are cramping and contracting more that 4 times an hour then you should probably call your doctor. You won't FEEL yourself dialating you will just feel contractions and only a doctor can tell you what kind of progress the contractions are making. You can be dialated a couple centimeters for a while before actually going into labor that's why you want to pay attention to how you are feeling pretty closely. Good luck hope things go smoothe.

 

QUOTE(Ericka B @ Oct 19 2007, 05:07 PM) [snapback]458488[/snapback]
If you are feeling your stomach tightening and then relaxing those are contractions. Just because you are having contractions doesn't neccesarily mean you are in labor. Effacement is the thinning out of your cervix and dialation is it actually opening. Depending on who checks you and how they measure will determine what answer you get about how far dialated you are. I do remember you saying that you see different doctors. If you are cramping and contracting more that 4 times an hour then you should probably call your doctor. You won't FEEL yourself dialating you will just feel contractions and only a doctor can tell you what kind of progress the contractions are making. You can be dialated a couple centimeters for a while before actually going into labor that's why you want to pay attention to how you are feeling pretty closely. Good luck hope things go smoothe.


I have been wondering if I would feel anything. With my first pregnancy I didn't feel anything until I went into labor. This time I have had pretty much no contractions (maybe 5 the whole time)... So the fact that I have not had contractions would mean that I have not dialated at all?

 

I have heard of people having this problem with different doctors telling them they were a different number of centimeters. Although I have not had this experience myself I am sure it is frustrating! If you are having cramping and tightening in your belly those are probably contractions. If they go away they are most likely Braxton Hicks and if they are consistent and don't go away with rest or a change in position then they are most likely true labor contractions. My doctor has said that if I get more than 4 in an hour then to call the office for instructions. I am sure offices have many different protocals, but I would call if you have any concerns at all.

 

I was 1 cm for 4 weeks (week 37 - 41) with my first. Didn't notice a thing. With the twins I was 2 cm at 32/33 weeks, 3 cm at 34/35 weeks, and 4 cm at 36/37 weeks, and 4 1/2 cm at 38 weeks. I never felt a contraction just tightening when I would roll over, but nothing painful but the dilation was most likely caused by the weight (and I had a heavy child + a d&c before). I did feel I was dilated ... like a sharp needle down there, now and then ... if something was actually open. I know this sounds weird, but my friend said she had the same with her second (who was 10lbs10oz at birth).

I think it's really weird that different doctors don't know the difference between not dilated and 4 cm ... the difference between 2 and 3, yes I understand, but none and 4 ... That's a major difference. I would get another opinion next time you go in, and make sure to monitor any contractions like pps said.

 

Did they measure you by Ultrasound or just by pelvic exam? I was dilated 2cm (confirmed by U/s) and I never felt it. If your cervix is just shortened and not dilated than the number can rise and fall. Your cervix is like a sponge and depending on the position of the babies and gravity of course it can change. I would not try and feel yourself. If you are dilated, you can make it worse with your hands. When I was on hospital bedrest my OB wouldn't even do a pelvic on me for fear of making it worse.

Good luck to you. Hopefully its nothing, and you wont have to worry about it! But I am learning really quickly that the worrying doesn't stop when you are not pregnany anymore...

 

QUOTE(Kyrstyn @ Oct 19 2007, 09:37 PM) [snapback]458804[/snapback]
Did they measure you by Ultrasound or just by pelvic exam? I was dilated 2cm (confirmed by U/s) and I never felt it. If your cervix is just shortened and not dilated than the number can rise and fall. Your cervix is like a sponge and depending on the position of the babies and gravity of course it can change. I would not try and feel yourself. If you are dilated, you can make it worse with your hands. When I was on hospital bedrest my OB wouldn't even do a pelvic on me for fear of making it worse.

Good luck to you. Hopefully its nothing, and you wont have to worry about it! But I am learning really quickly that the worrying doesn't stop when you are not pregnany anymore...

they all checked me by pelvic exam. i did not know they could do it by u/s. that sounds like it makes sense with the gravity and it rising and falling... i was just wondering if there was any type of feeling i would have when i was dilating. my aunt said right befre she dilating she remembered cramping a lot like i did today. thank u.

 

QUOTE(Ericka B @ Oct 19 2007, 05:07 PM) [snapback]458488[/snapback]
If you are feeling your stomach tightening and then relaxing those are contractions. Just because you are having contractions doesn't neccesarily mean you are in labor. Effacement is the thinning out of your cervix and dialation is it actually opening. Depending on who checks you and how they measure will determine what answer you get about how far dialated you are. I do remember you saying that you see different doctors. If you are cramping and contracting more that 4 times an hour then you should probably call your doctor. You won't FEEL yourself dialating you will just feel contractions and only a doctor can tell you what kind of progress the contractions are making. You can be dialated a couple centimeters for a while before actually going into labor that's why you want to pay attention to how you are feeling pretty closely. Good luck hope things go smoothe.

During pregnancy, the os (opening) of the cervix is blocked by a thick plug of mucus to prevent bacteria from entering the uterus. During dilation, this plug is loosened. It may come out as one piece, or as thick mucous discharge from the vagina. When this occurs, it is an indication that the cervix is beginning to dilate, although not all women will notice this mucus plug being released.

Bloody show is another indication that the cervix is dilating. Bloody show usually comes along with the mucus plug, and may continue throughout labor, making the mucus tinged pink, red or brown. Fresh, red blood is usually not associated with dilation, but rather serious complications such as placental abruption, or placenta previa. Red blood in small quantities often also follows an exam.

Prostaglandins contribute to cervical ripening and dilation. The body produces these naturally. Sometimes prostaglandins in synthesized forms are applied directly to the cervix during labor induction to soften the cervix, though these medications have been linked to an increase in uterine rupture risk especially for those with previous cesarean sections.

The pain experienced during dilation is similar to that of menstruation (although markedly more intense), as period pains are thought to be due to the passing of endometrium through the cervix. Most of the pain during labor is caused by the cervix dilating, not the uterus contracting.


this is what i found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_dilation