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5, wow girl! No idea why the doctors check! I'm guessing it's because if they know your baseline dilation and you go to the hospital with contractions but aren't dilated more, they can figure out whether and when you are progressing?

I'm a bit surprised they are ok with you just walking around and being normal while dilated to 5. That's a big deal.
Normally once you pass 4cm they admit you.
How far along are you? And don't ignore any signs of labor because if you are really half way through the dilation process you won't take long to complete.

I was dilated to 4cm and my water broke at 3am after a bathroom run. I didn't have any contractions or other signs of labor at all. Good luck!! Hopefully, you'll have a quick and easy labor since you're already half way there!

5cm is freaken awesome balls!!! No joke. You actually can give birth when you are 10cm (because you are fully open and the baby can come out) So the fact that you are half way there with no contractions yet simply means you will have a fast delivery. WHICH IS AWESOME!!!

I was induced at 41w with my son and went in at 3cm and 80%.(9 am, they broke my water at 10am, I got an epidural at 1:30pm and at that time I was just at 5cm) I gave birth at 10:50! So you know what you might give birth faster than your friend!

They check because they want to make sure your progressing before they'll admit you. I had contractions very close together so I went to the hospital, but I wasn't dilating so I went home. So it's not about the number now, it's about the number getting bigger when you're in labor.

Good luck!

@Mrsdaredevil: Oh then this is all a great sign! And losing you plug so awesome!! I'm betting baby is gonna come soon!

I'm not a doctor, but I think doctors check because they are also checking effacement, whether the cervix is soft, whether it's still posterior, and where the baby's head is, which when combined with dilation and factored into your Bishop score, do tell you something about how close you might be to labor, and how successful an induction might be if necessary.

You're at a 5?! That's amazing. My water broke so I went to the hospital before ever even being checked by the Dr at an appointment. and I was only 2 cm at 10 a, and gave birth at 10 p. I had to have pitocin though to get there. I was miserable once I was dilated to 4 cm, so the fact that you're 5 and comfortable seems pretty promising!