Expert: Dorothy H, LCCE - 4/7/2009

Question
I am 39 weeks and had my last exam on April 3rd. I was 1 1/2 cm dilated ,70% effaced and had fetal station of -1. My OB/GYN pulled my plug out for me and was confident it would be about 48 hours till labor begun. since then I have had on and off moderate to severe cervical and pelvic pressure and huge volumes of mucous clot loss daily. Sometimes I have Braxton-Hicks but they always subside. I'm wondering if labor is anywhere close or if its possible it could be stalling due to fetal position or the baby being too large..My due date is April 11th.

Answer
Hi Heather,

Your doctor stripping your membranes (which is what it sounds like he did) can sometimes get labor going, sometimes not. The fact that you did not go into labor does NOT mean that labor isn't working or that there is a problem with position or size - all it means is that your body and baby need a little extra time before labor begins.

The dilation and effacement you are experiencing tells you that your body is getting ready for labor - however, it does NOT tell you when you will go into labor.  It could be today, it could be two weeks from now.

Unless there is a medical reason why your baby needs to be born now, try to be patient and wait for labor to begin on its own. When you wait for labor to begin on its own, you have the best chance of having a successful vaginal birth plus you are much more likely to have a shorter easier labor compared to a labor that is induced. Induction increases your chance of needing a cesarean and also increases your chances of needing other interventions in your labor.

ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) does not recommend routine induction for being past your due date unless you are at 42 weeks. Some babies just take a little bit longer to be ready to be born. I know that it is hard at the end of pregnancy to be patient - I'm sure you are ready to meet your baby!  But unless there is a medical reason to induce before then, wait for your baby's timing -  you will be much more likely to have a shorter easier labor and avoid a c-section.

Hang in there!