Questionsorry one more question... so since my cervical length is 1.5 what is the percentage im effaced?
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Well I have had one daughter,4 miscarriages, and now this pregnancy. So this is my 6th pregnancy total. Today I am having period like cramps and slimy clear/yellow mucus like discharge. Whats going on? About how long do you think with the effacement as it is that i will end up in labor ready to deliver?
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Hello, I am 29 weeks pregnant and dilated to 2-3 cm. I have been in and out of the hospital for the last 2 weeks and they have given me trubutaline to stop contractions.They have also given me the steroid shots.Anyways, today the Dr said my cervix was at 1.5cm. what happens when i run out of length?
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Dear Alisha,
I assume when you say that the Dr. said you are 1.5cm today, you mean cervical length, or effacement, since previous to that you stated you are 2-3cm dilated.
In first time moms, effacement, or the thinning of the cervix, tends to happen before dilation. In 2nd+ moms, dilation may happen before effacement is complete. For the 1st-timers, this tends to be important because it seems like labor drags on for them sometimes without a lot of progress when they are checked for dilation. But, in fact, their cervix is softening and thinning out very nicely and, after effacement is complete, dilation tends to progress fairly rapidly.
So, not knowing whether you have had a baby previous to this one, I can only give you that information. As a rule, when, as you say, "the length runs out" or the cervix is fully effaced, dilation tends to progress more rapidly.
All sounds perfectly appropriate up to now. Labor has been stopped successfully with terbutaline and you have been given the steroid injections to help with your baby's lung development as a "just in case". Try to stay off your feet as much as possible and limit activity (no heavy lifting/straining, etc,..), eat healthy, drink good fluids (milk, juice, water), and keep taking those prenatal vitamins.
I hope I've answered your question and I wish you the best of luck in holding the little one off for a bit longer! :-)
Brenda
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Dear Alisha,
I wish I could answer that question for you! There really is no way for me to predict when you'll have the baby.
The mucus discharge may be from the cervical check your doctor did today. It could also be your mucus plug. There's just no way for me to know for sure under these circumstances. The same goes for the cramping... could be that the exam irritated things and so you're having a bit of cramping that will not result in anything. However, if the cramping worsens or becomes regular like contractions, than you'll need to call your doctor. Also - any bleeding or fluid leakage (water breaking) you'd need to be calling Dr./hospital.
More than likely, you will end up delivering before your due date. The fact that your doctor gave you the steroid injections indicates to me that he wants baby to be as ready as possible for an early delivery. Keep in mind - this is a small baby yet, but as long as you are in medical hands for delivery, it is definitely past the age of viability. Just make sure if you think it's labor...go. Nurses and doctors would rather you come and have to send you home than have you not come in time.
I hope this helps. I don't want you to worry. I just want you prepared.
Brenda
AnswerDear Alisha,
Everyone starts out different but most women start out at approximately 2.5cm. You did not say whether the measurement of 1.5cm was based on digital exam or trans-vaginal ultrasound. the US would be more exact. Regardless, I would say the MOST you are effaced is approximately 40%, if you actually did start out at 2.5cm.
Hope all is going well and calmly! :-)
Brenda
