Question1st baby I lost my plug and dilated 1cm per day, 4 days later they induced at 4cm and I had a normal delivery with my waters breaking on the delivery table a boy. 2nd baby I was going 2 be induced but my waters broke 4am by 10am the doctor phoned me to ask why I was not there to be induced I said I went into labour and he recomended that I come in immediately, my contractions slowed down and I got stuck on 4cm for more than an hour and they induced this labour was pure hell 4 me and I promised never again once again a boy. 3rd baby boy, I felt sharp pains by 1pm afternoon and the clinic said I was having an infection, by 8pm that night I went to the hospital 1cm dilated I went to bed at 10pm laying on my right hand side and the contractions started and I sat up straight in a bench, when I have a contraction I would lift my buttocks off the seat until it was over, at 4am I told my mom I am having a shower as the pains was not that intense yet, she got my husband to stop me and take me to the hospital immediately as she believed it was time, I argued that the pains was not as intense, at 4:30 am my son was born barely made it to the hospital. It was the most pleasant birth off all and I would love it if this baby could be born like that. I am now 30weeks and expecting a girl at last, I have sleepless nights about the birth and are realy concerned, I realy dont want a birth like no.1 & 2 nor be induced. My question is will I have a problem dilating on my own again??? I have BH that cathes my attention as the are rather strong and my husband commented with foreplay that my cervics seems soft and muchy I invested and agree it is not as hard and firm as always. My 2nd question is why when u are in labour and emptying ur bladder the contraction is much more intense and it feels like everything is about to fall out, is it because I am then in a better position and it is more constructive or doesn't the position help or speed things along at all. Further if my dilation is taking long again what can I do to speed it along except for walking and sitting in an upright position, I am aming for a drug free and normal delivery again. Somehow I am very stressed and scared.
AnswerNo, I wouldn't anticipate you having any trouble dilating. You did just fine with #3! It sounds like you were probably in a better position with your third baby, since you were out of the hospital and therefore not on your back. Laying on your back forces your body to work against gravity instead of with it, and can lead to a slower labor.
Stalling at 4cm for an hour is not really a good reason for "inducing" unless there is some indication of distress or some reason the baby needs to be delivered urgently. Stalls are very normal in labor, and are the body's way of coping with different things. Sometimes the mom just needs a rest; maybe she's been up all night or is otherwise just really tired, and needs to take a nap before heading into the intensity of active labor and transition. Other times, especially right before pushing begins, a stall means your body is waiting for the baby's head to mold so that it can more easily slip into the birth canal. 99% of the time, a "stall" will self-resolve and labor will pick back up within a few hours, if the mother is left alone. If this happens to you again in the hospital, remember that you have the right to refuse pitocin induction or augmentation.
It is normal for contractions to be more productive when you are on the toilet. In fact, many women prefer to labor in this position, and some even deliver there! Sitting on the toilet simulates a squatting position, which brings the baby farther down into the pelvis and puts more pressure on the cervix. This can speed up dilation and explains the "falling out" sensation you describe. Standing or squatting are two of the best possible positions for labor and delivery. They are more efficient and result in fewer stalls, shorter pushing stages, and less tearing.
Don't be scared! Relax and trust that your body knows what it needs to do. Again, look at your last birth. Everything went perfectly! The worst you might expect this time is the possibility of an unexpected homebirth, which is something every parent should at least be prepared for. You did a wonderful job last time, and you can do it again. Good luck!
