Understanding Contractions and Dilation in Natural Childbirth

Question
I am expecting my second child through natural childbirth. Her due date, based on an early ultrasound is today. I have been having contractions on and off for about a week and last night I went in to the hospital because they were 4 minutes apart, though still somewhat irregular. When the triage midwife checked my cervix it was about 2cm possibly as much as 3 if the baby had been resting on it and the baby was still very balotable (sp?). I have not had any bloody show but feel the contractions quite strongly in my abdomen, lower back and even a little numbness in my upper thighs on strong ones. Is there a way to tell when the contractions are becoming effective? Are there laying/sitting positions or exercises that can help to make the contractions more effective? I am beginning to feel very discouraged and nervous. I know that it is still quite normal and safe to have a baby a couple of weeks after the due date but she is getting bigger and I am not a large woman and I am worried something may go wrong.

Answer
Dear Christine,

It sounds like your baby will be here very soon!  It also sounds like your contractions are getting stronger.  Since you are already dialated aorund 2-3 cm, maybe it's just taking you a little longer to get opened up.  Walking will definately help the contractions out.  A lot of women are told to walk when they are in early labor.  If you are having really strong ones, though, and they are close together, I'd go and get checked again.  Seeing as this is your second child, labor is likely to progress more rapidly.  Just try to relax and trust your body to do its job.  I don't think you'll go much londer anyway before you get ready to deliver.  You might not get any bloody show right away.  Another way you can check to see if your contractions are becoming effective is to check your cervix yourself.  Just make sure you wash your hands really good before you do it.  One cm is about the diameter of your index finger.  The more fingers you can fit into your cervix, the more dialated you are.  Just be very careful and not be rough on those sensitive areas.  A lot of women are not comfortable enough to check their own cervixs.  That is okay too.  But, if you start feeling more contractions that are more intense, your water breaks, or you don't feel the baby moving as much, get to the hospital right away.  Good luck on the birth of your baby girl!
~Andrea