[Martha Bowman]

My daughter is 37 weeks pregnant and 6 days. She was having regular contractions last night but didn't go to the hospital. Tuesday she had a doctors appointment and they told her she was 1cm dilated and her cervix is very thin. Every since last night she has had pain and pressure in her pelvic area. When will she know if she's in labor or not

[DoulaLC]

Some women will have contractions off and on for quite awhile as the body prepares for labor to actually get going. Some can also walk around a few centimeters dilated in the last few weeks. I've known women who were 100% effaced (cervix thinned) for the last couple of weeks. Then you will have those who go to the doctor, cervix is closed and the woman goes into labor two days later. For a relatively small number, about 10%, membranes will rupture first before any contractions have started and that will be the first sign of things starting.

Many times there is no rhyme or reason. My own daughter went for a scheduled doctor's visit, he put her on the monitor, noted contractions that she wasn't even aware of, he did an exam and she was already 5 cm. She was planning to go to the mall with a friend after her appointment, but ended up going to the hospital instead and had my grandson several hours later.

Rest assured, it would be very unusual for her not to recognize when true labor is underway. It may start slowly, or out of the blue, but contractions will continue coming, eventually (or right from the onset) form a pattern, gain strength, and last longer.

She is at the stage where she could go into labor tonight, or in a few weeks and both would be perfectly normal. Now would be a good time to pamper herself and try to relax and enjoy the rest of her pregnancy.

Wishing her a smooth birth! Congratulations!