QuestionI am 35 wks pg with baby #3. My first was born at 30 wks (never knew I was in labor until I started bleeding- baby was born two hours later) , my second at 38 (although I dilated to 2cm at 5 months and was placed on bedrest and medications) With my second, I never knew I was in labor. I went to the doctor for a reg. check-up and he said I was 5cm. I went to the hospital and was then 7cm- still no pain, no back aches, no mucos plug lost- nothing! She was born an hour after that. (at which I pushed for 5 min and it was over)
The doc's look at me like I am crazy because I don't know if I am in labor- any ideas or explanations? I am lucky that I have no pain or labor signs but terrified that I won't know I am in labor with this one until it is time to push...... I do feel some tightening with the one but not sure if it is BH or contractions since they don't hurt but yet I haven't really ever had any pain until delivery time. I go back to my doc on Monday (after not being seen for 3 weeks) but I am just curious as to why my labor is this way? Any ideas?
AnswerI have heard of women like this before. It is called "precipitous labor," and especially as you are describing it, it may be related to incompetent cervix, because your cervix is dilating without noticeable labor contractions. I'd be interested in whether or not tocolytic monitoring at the hospital has ever shown significant contractions on you. At any rate, to be on the safe side, you should study up on unassisted childbirth. It is better to be safe than sorry, and since you run a high risk of inadvertently giving birth precipitously (which could also mean without help), being prepared for an unassisted birth will help calm your fears and make you ready for anything. You can also learn to check your own dilation at home, so you can monitor yourself more closely, and maybe you will catch it sooner.
Good luck, and congratulations on #3!
