Dilated to 1 at 34 Weeks. Advice?

I totally relate. With each of my kids, I've been at least 3cm dilated at 35 weeks. Each time, I went to 38-39 weeks. But, each time was about half-time for labor. I just had my third baby, who was born 45 minutes after my water broke. We barely made it to the hospital - I was known as the lady who had her pants pulled off then had a baby! LOL. But, in all seriousness, if we go for a #4, we dont' know what we'll do. My dr has suggested getting induced, but I fear what others have said - either that it will take much longer or that the pain will be much worse (because I labor so fast, I've never had childbirth drugs). I know there's only a little advice in here, but I also wanted to let you know - you are not the only one. =)

With my middle child, I was dialated 2-3 cm from about 35 weeks on. I ended up being induced 13 days over my due date, so being dialated really isn't a good indication as to when you will have the baby.

Was your doctor worried? I was 1cm at 35 weeks, ended up being 11 days overdue and had 72 hours of labor including 5 hours of pushing. I too was worried about my baby being born suddenly and in the end I would have been really happy to deliver in the car :)
All that to say, if your doc isn't worried than you shouldn't worry either. I have heard of women being 3cm for 3 weeks. As long as you have no contractions or pressure than you should be fine.

I was dilated to 3 by 35 weeks with my last 3 children, and stayed there until right before I delivered. Each one of them came progressively faster, and with my youngest, I had a plan and people in place, because I had no desire to have a baby at home by myself with toddlers or in the car. We made it to the hospital, and she was born within the hour of arriving there.

My thought is that if you know you go quickly, best thing to do is have a plan in place. I just had it in the back of my mind if anything started happening too quickly and I was home with the kids 911 was going to be my call right after my husband. As it turns out didn't have to use them, but it was a little bit less stressful having a few contengency plans in place. My best to you and your family, congrats on the new precious life that will be here soon. I am sure that you will do just fine. (And I am glad that I am not in your boots right now :)

I'm right there with you. All of my children came VERY fast and unexpectedly. With my daughter, my second, I went for my 37 week check up and was told I was dialated to 7 and she was engaged already and I was in labor. I just thought I was a bit sore. I was out at garage sales before that! So we rushed to the hospital and we literally got there and 30 mins later I had my daughter in my hands. How is that for close!

Problem is beings it happens so fast and I push so effiecently she was in the birth canal for a matter of minutes and came out in shock and spent her first three days in the ICU. That was really really upsetting!

So I'm trying for number 3 and already thinking about that. I don't want to be one of those ladies who has her baby by herself at home! I was lucky I wasn't last time!! I've already decided I'm going to bug my OB about it. I've had the same one for all of my children. I would seriously address this concern to yours and if they don't already know about how fast you progress make sure to tell them.

It is not unusual to be dilated for many weeks before delivery. I was dilated to 3 beginning at about 28 weeks and until my first son was born (by induction for other complications) at 36 weeks. With son #2 I was also dilated to 3-4 beginning at 30 weeks and went to 37 weeks and was in labor for 12+ hours. With son #3 I was not dilated at all early, but labor was about 45 min. from the first slight twitch of low back pain until I was holding him in the hospital triage area (was not even checked in when he was born) With my 4th, my doctors were worried about another quick labor. I was dilated again to 3-4 starting around 30 weeks and she was breech and they flipped her at 35 weeks. They induced me at 37 weeks to prevent a quick labor/delivery in a "uncontrolled" environment.

For your own piece of mind, just be sure to dicusss any concerns with your doctor. Good luck!!

Hello! With my first pregnancy I was dilated to 1 at 30 weeks and had no problems carrying my daughter to 38 1/2 weeks. In fact, I believe I delivered early because my doctor stripped my membranes. Also, even though it's been 10 years since your last pregnancy I imagine you'll recognize the signs of labor right away and would know to get to the doctor/hospital ASAP. Good luck and relax, baby will make their appearance when they're ready! :)

I think it's normal to begin to dilate at this point. I remember being 1-2 for weeks, so I would not worry too much. Talk to your Dr. My 2nd child came VERY fast as well & I almost had him in the ambulance we called after having 3 contractions and feeling the urge to push. When I became pregnant with my 3rd that was one of my biggest fears. My Dr. said I might want to consider being induced. I chose not to, because I've heard labors could be longer. I went to the due date, woke up with a mild but painful contraction and called the Dr. I knew he thought I was crazy to wake him, but I explained my situation (it was the on-call Dr.) and went to the the hospital. My labor progressed slowly and turns out my 3rd was the longest labor for me. So it is true that all pregnancies are differet! Good luck
L.

Wow 32 Min!!!! Did your water break before that? I thought i was quick from first contraction to baby born was just about 5 hours. I started dialating at 34 weeks. I went to 40 weeks and 2 days and was dialated to a almost 5 with bulging waters. My dr. told me that I could go at any time but to come to the hospital as soon as my water broke or active labor began. If I would have waited til the water broke I would have been calling 911 and delivered at home, it took just about 9 minuted from when she broke my water to when the baby was born. I went in to the hospital as soon as the contractions were 5-10 min apart and delivered with in 2 hours of being there. If you deliver that quick as soon as you think something is happening I would go, its better safe then suprised during these moments. Good luck and I hope all is well.

I was dilated to 4 at 37 weeks and was also sure the baby would "drop out" anytime. Nope. I had a quick labor, going in at 7:15 AM dilated to a 7(!!) and he was born 6 hours later. But that was at 39 weeks and 2 days. Same thing for a co-worker. She was dilated to 4 and 70% effaced for 2 weeks before she gave birth. I almost don't want to know my "stats" next time; you get so nervous. Good luck!

you should be ok... although everyone is different. my deliveries were all fast also. #1 4 hours, #2 2 hours, #3 1 1/2 hours, #4 20 mins ( i was starting to get induced so i was already at the hospital) and #5 1 hour (only mild cramping and alot of pressure and a trip in the ambulance). with all of them i was dilated to 1 around 34 weeks. around 38 weeks dilated to 2-3 and 50% effaced and the week before i had them i dilated to 3.. that was my cue to watch for signs that i was going in.

Good luck!

You can be dialated for weeks and not go into labor. After 37 weeks or so they don't consider it premature labor. Quit stressing that is worse on you. If your dr thinks its an issure they will say something. If you are worried aske them to check you more often. I have heard of this before. If you are dialated to one and not thinning and dialating more- I would say you are ok. You will be seen every few weeks. Does your Dr know how quick your last labor was? If not they need to be aware of that.

I had a similar situation and I know it is so frustrating not knowing "when" the baby is going to be born. In the end, I was a 4 at 38 weeks and my dr scheduled an induction for the day I turned 39 weeks just to be safe that the baby did not have to be delivered on the kitchen floor. I have had this same situation for both of my kids and even with being induced I had them withing 2 hours of walking into the hospital...so dont be afraid of induction if you go that route. Good Luck!!

I was dilated to 3 and 50% effaced at 34 weeks with my 2nd child and they ended up inducing me at 39 weeks and I was dilated to 6 adn 90% effaced at that time. I would make sure your OB knows your history of quick labor and follow the doctors orders. I know they debating about putting me on bedrest and steroids but I was sure glad they didn't but I didn't have a history of quick labors.

I don't think being 1cm dialated at 34 weeks is much to worry about. If you have concerns ask your Dr about it. As long as you're not esperiencing contractions then you're fine. I had my first at 35 weeks and I wasn't dialated days before I had him. My water broke and even when I got to the hospital I was only 3cm dialated. With my daughter (3 years later) I was dialated 1cm days beforehand and she was born at 37 weeks. My water broke with her too.

I was dilated 3cm at 35 weeks... ended up 1 week past the due date when I started labor AND it was a long labor.

So all in all every dilvery, dilation and the works will be different. Just keep waiting for the labor signs and try not to think to much on all the 'What if's' which is hard when you are waiting for the little one to come.

Best wishes!

You have not dilated "early". Women can be dilated to 1 cm--or even 2 cm--for weeks before actually giving birth. This is totally normal. I was dilated to 1-2 cm for quite some time (3 weeks?) before I actually had my son.

While your previous deliveries *can* be an indication of how this one will go, you know that each pregnancy and birth is unique. Giving birth in a taxi or while on the toilet at home make for good news stories, but statistically, this is very rare. Odds are much higher that a pregnant woman will go to the hospital too soon, only to be told to go home and wait it out. (Yes, this does happen.) Or worse, her labor will not be progressing to the satisfaction of her OB/GYN, and she will be induced or have a c-section.

Has your mucus plug passed? Are you having contractions, either real or Braxton Hicks? I see no reason to go to the hospital unless your water has broke, and/or you are having consistent, strong contractions. (Your healthcare professional can advise you on the timing of contractions.) The longer you are at the hospital, the more you increase your risk of interventions.

Like I said, I was dilated to 1-2 cm for several weeks, then my mucus plug passed. About 1 week after my mucus plug passed, my water broke. I never had contractions on my own, so after 26 hours of trying natural methods to induce contractions (brisk walking and breast pump), I was induced with Pitocin. Needless to say, I had MORE than enough time to get to the hospital!

Relax, and good luck to you!

You may be fine. I was dilate to 4 at that point with my pegnancy with my third child. I was told to take precautions, such as don't lift anything heavy and plenty of bedrest (laying down flat or on my side.) I also went to bi-weekly and weekly appointments sooner rather than the last month of my pregnancy. Your doctor should have advised you. If not, call them and ask questions.

I delivered full-term.

Well J., I myself had early dilation when I was pregnant a couple of years ago. With that first and only (so far) pregnancy, I did have a lot of complications, which didn't necessarily have anything to do with my early dilation. When I was 33 weeks along, I was hospitalized for a few days because I had gone into preterm labor. I was 3 cm dilated, and my contractions were irregular. The doctors have me lots of medication, but the contractions never stopped. As a result, I was sent home. I later had my daughter at 37 weeks. So, I basically contracted for 1 month before I went into active labor, and I was 3 cm dilated the whole time. Once I went to the hospital, I was in labor for about 8 hours before my daughter was born. She was just fine, and I had an easy labor. I think that your body is just starting to adjust, but I don't think that you have anything to worry about. You'll know when your little one is ready. Good luck!!