Labor and Delivery Forum - how long until labor starts

Pregnancy Forum > Labor and Delivery Forum > how long until labor starts

What happens during labor? What do contractions feel like? And how do I know that labor has begun? Read on to learn about birthing basics....

Q: how long until labor starts

asked by: trijos21 on November 17th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

Im almost 36 wks and went to the hospital on fri (my contractions were coming about every 10 min) but after being hooked up to the monitor for about an hr they were no longer coming in pattern. But they checked me and said i was 1 1/2 cm dilated. I was checked 2 wks ago and was not dilated at all. They said they would like the baby to stay in until 38 wks (and they also said b/c he is a boy they develop slower?) so not to walk a whole lot. I was just released off bed rest on wed...then fri. they say not a lot of walking. Anyways...im 99% sure today that i lost the rest of my mucus plug....i had been loosing it over a period of about 3 wks. So my Q is if that was the rest of my plug i lost and since i was 1 1/2 cms on fri....how long does it usually take labor to begin??? Thanks for any advice!

Replies(3)

Lilly Ivy

replied on November 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Stay off your feet!! Don't do any vigorous activities, no sex, and keep eating healthy. That includes LOTS of water! Drink until you are full, then drink some more.

I can't tell you 'Your baby will be here this day', because no one can. Some woman stay at 3cm for WEEKS before going into labor (in fact, a friend of mine was at 4cm from 32wks and delivered at 41wks!). While others go from closed to baby in mere hours.

Since you are still early, the best thing to do is just don't provoke labor. If it happens, it happens, but you can try to reduce it. It is possible you lost your mucus plug because of them poking and prodding.

GOOD LUCK!!

trijos21

replied on November 17th, 2008

Active User, very eHealthy

thanks so much! Yea im sure the poking had something to do with it...and i didnt even think about that until i read your response.

Lilly Ivy

replied on November 17th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Yea, unless there is risk of preterm labor (and you did from the sounds of your contractions), there's no reason for them to check you. I hate the 'standard vaginal exams' from like 36wks on.

I hope everything goes okay and your little one stays put for at least two more weeks!

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