Can you dilate without having contractions?

[LittleBabyJones]

I was checked 2 weeks ago and wasnt dilated at all, i haven't had any contractions, pains or anything.

[Boom]

If it's your first baby, very little will happen before your contractions. People with previous pregnancies are often 1-2cms dilated before labour

[nuthinbutpink]

With my first, I was checked at 39 weeks and nothing was happening. The morning of 40 weeks, my water broke!

I did not have any contractions happening after my water had broken so I went to the doctor and they stripped my membranes. It hurt badly. I was in full blown labor within 3 hours and fully dilated within 5-6 hours after that.

[hopper]

At my week 40 appointment (when I was 39+2) I was told nothing was happening and to gear myself up for induction in 10-14 days. I went into spontaneous labour at 40 weeks and went from nothing dilated to holding baby within 12 hours. That was my first DS. On my second I was 3cm at 40+4 when they artifically broke my waters and DS2 was in my arms an hour later. Each child is different, therefore each and every labour will be different. Enjoy the last few days of not having to share your baby with anyone else, and I hope your labour is straight forward and as easy as possible, best of luck!

[atomic sagebrush]

Yes you can and the more you've had, the more you may dilate.

[Pebbles&BamBam]

I was 2cm dilated for an entire month, they kept on thinking, baby will come any minute now...labor went fast thought, water broke at 5, holding baby by 11

[Rosie85]

With 1st babies you dont dilate much without contractions. I was a 1 at 38 weeks with my ds1. Now ds3 i was 4 cm at 36 weeks and 5 cm at 39. So with subsequent pregnancies you dilate much quicker even without super crazy contractions.

[LittleBabyJones]

Im 38 weeks and i havent had 1 contraction :/ FTM as well

[Rosie85]

It is okay not to have had any. You would be surprised how quickly you can go from zero to 60 with first babies. One day no labor...not a single sign and then bam full blown labor 6 hrs later. Having contractions doesn't mean you are going into labor either. Its a waiting game and it sucks but it will come. It will take you by surprise!

[atomic sagebrush]

I didn't pick up on them until subsequent pregnancies. I don't know if I didn't have them or if I didn't feel them but I also never noticed with my first. I think that's quite normal really.