how far dilated before dr admits???

 Hello Ladies,
I am currently 38 weeks and have began dilating back at 32 1/2 weeks.  At my check up this past tuesday I was dilated to 4 and over 50% effaced as of the visit prior to that.  I have had friends and family ask why I have not been admited to L & D, but I have not had consistent contractions.  Yesterday I thought my water broke so my OB had me go in to test for amniotic fluid and that came back negative, during the exam he said I was a good 4 cm dilated and the babys head was much lower than 4 days prior.

This is my 2nd pregnancy but my first child was born at 25 weeks so this is all new to me.  Any advice or insight as to when maybe labor will start would be appreciated.  These past two weeks I also found out that my gallbladder is full of stones and needs to be removed once baby is born.  

Honestly you don't want to rush off to the hospital too soon. If you go early in labor and you're not makng good progress, they'll just send you back home.

There's no set rule for when they admit you except if your water has broken or your contractions are really close together and painful. I was walking around 4 cm dialated/ 80% effaced from 35 to 40 weeks before I finally went into active labor.

Good luck! Sounds like your baby will be here soon! 

You have to be having consistent contractions.  I was 3 cm, 100% and having contractions every 3-5 minutes and the baby's head was "right there"

good luck!

I stayed at 4-5 cm for a month. I was contracting and getting shots to stop labor. I still went home because contractions were not progressing me any I was happy about that though cause I would have been even earlier than 33 weeks along. When I finally went in with the hard labor I went from 4-5 to 6 in 10 minutes of being there. Better to be home and not have them help labor along if you can help it.

Your so close to the end!  They say it's so much easier and better if you go on your own!  Go outside and walk and walk and walk and then pulls lots of weeds!  The weeding with my last one is what sent me into labor.  Also drink some pineapple juice and raspberry tea!  Not sure if these wlll do the trick or not....but don't hurt to try right?  Good luck!  Soon we will be hearing your birth story!

it is actually raspberry leaf tea.

I think it depends on the doctor. With my doctor they considered a 6 active labor.

depends on the dr, position of baby and effacement, dialation. i think. ive always been admited at 4.5 since at 6 ill be delivering within the next 2 hours after that. i have rapid labor which is a blessing and curse at the same time. ill efface first then start dialateing that bam its over. i would say though they would be admitting you soon :) hang in there your so close to being done. and gall stones OMG girl best of wishes those are no fun what so ever. best of luck and congrats on baby 2. we just found out were expecting #5, i cant wait to be where ya are now ;D...

 Thank you to all the replies and information.  At my check up today I am still dilated to a 4 but baby has moved further down.  Since I am having so many problems with my gallbladder the Dr has decided to induce me tomorrow morning.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time.

Thank you to everyone on this board for all the support and wisdom.  I don't post often but do keep up on what is happening, this site is wonderful support system.

Thanks again.
Nina

Good Luck Tomorrow!! Can't wait to hear about birth story!! Hope your laboring is short and easy!!
Jessica