Pregnancy Update: 3cm Dilated, No Contractions - Seeking Advice

Question
I am 21, no children, and my last LMP was 12/9/03.
I'm very concerned this being my first pregnancy and all. I'm due on Sep.16,2004 and I haven't felt any contractions. I was in the hospital on 8/6/04 because I was having trouble breathing. The nurse said I was dialated to one centimeter. My appts. since then I have been dialating, but not feeling anything. My last appt. was 9/8/04 and the doctor said I was 3cm and 80% effaced. I'm really concerned that I'm not feeling any contractions. I wish not to be induced and don't know if this is something I should worry about. I do feel pains, but they're constant. They never actually go away and come back like contractions are supposed to. Is it awkward that I'm not having noticable contractions? And should I be worried about inducment?

Answer
If this is your first pregnancy, you will usually not start having contractions until you, at least, reach your due date (or go a week beyond). Even though you are starting to dilate and efface, you do not have to go into labor until the baby releases prostaglandins. This does not occur until maturity is reached. You will start to have contractions (a few times a day) in your back. This will radiate toward the lower pubic area. When you start to have contractions at the level of your belly button, every 3 minutes (from the beginning of the contraction to the beginning of the next contraction) and each contraction stays hard for at least 45 seconds to 1 minute, and this continues for a full hour, then we consider you to be in labor. It does not have to happen until you reach your due date or up to 42 weeks gestation. Don't worry. Good luck.