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Q. My niece is 20 years old and very healthy. Originally, she was told that her due date would be June 13. Then after a sonogram it was changed to May 24. Today is June 15 and she has been having contractions off and off but no regular pattern. On Sat, June 13 she was examined and told that she was 2 cm. dilated but the contractions were not effective enough. Today she was told that she has CLOSED. Is that possible? It seems a bit strange! I know that if the baby were pushed against a cervix that is not 10 cm, swelling could occur. But she did not push. Could the pressure of the baby's head cause this? She is very worried . I reassured her that the contractions are a good sign and the baby's heart rate is good, and to continue walking and try nipple stimulation to strengthen the contractions and then maybe the cervix would thin and dilate more. What are your thoughts on the subjects mentioned. I just want to help her!!!! Another family member said that she could've missed the labor. Is there such a thing? I know of people sometimes not feeling contractions but they still dilate and efface which can be noticed on a pelvic exam.

A. Actually yes, it is possible to reverse dilate, but probably what really happened is the difference in vaginal exams. I also have never heard of anyone missing labor, and even if she were lucky enough not to feel it she would probably have noticed the baby coming out.

As for the due date changes...We tinker with due dates a lot these days, sometimes rightfully so and other times not. If the ultrasound was done after 20 weeks of pregnancy then it should not be considered accurate for dating purposes.

It sounds like she is preparing to head in to labor. You should have a beautiful niece or nephew soon!

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.