Natural Birth and Baby Care.com

How Long After Reaching 1 Centimeter is Labor?

I'm 37 weeks and I'm 1 centimeter dilated. How long before labor starts? This is my second child so I'm hoping soon...

Answer:

Unfortunately dilation is one of the most unreliable indicators of when labor is going to start you can get...

You could be 6 centimeters dilated and still walk around pregnant for 4 weeks. You could be completely closed and start labor that night, and have a baby in arms by morning.

Usually mothers who have had a baby before will dilate before labor actually begins - 1 to 3cm is pretty common but more or less is also usual.

The best signs to look for are contractions that come regularly and get stronger.

Another good thing to look for is a bloody show - you'll have your mucus plug come out with streaks of red in it. Generally labor will begin within 48 hours of this.

You can lose bits of your plug throughout the last few weeks of pregnancy, and it will keep reforming. But most women find that if they have a bloody show labor is going to start quickly.

Your water breaking is another sign that things are going to be getting moving ;)

Best things to do are to stay active - get out and exercise. And keep yourself busy with projects, maybe nesting things ;) The last few weeks can be hard but it really is true that your baby will be here before you know it!