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Childbirth/2 cm.. and thinning

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Expert: - 8/20/2008


Question
How long can you be 2cm dilated during your second pregnancy? Especially if you feel contractions every so often?

Answer
Shelly,


The truth is that you can be 2cm dilated for minutes or months, with or without noticeable contractions.  In a second (or subsequent) pregnancy, it's common for the cervix to start dilating during the last 6 weeks and even stay at that level until labor begins.


For example, with my second child, I was 4cm dilated at 34 weeks and stayed there for a month until she was born at 38 weeks.  I had consistent Braxton-Hicks contractions every day for the last 8 weeks with her. With my first I'd had no dilation until labor and still had Braxton-Hicks daily for the last 8 weeks.


Truly, dilation before labor isn't on a timetable.  All it tells you is that some of the work is already done before labor begins so that your overall labor time may be shorter than with your first.  It's truly not a reliable indicator of when labor will begin.



Best,
Catherine

Childbirth

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Catherine Beier MS CBE

Expertise

I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.

Experience

I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.

Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.

Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.

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