Dilation and effacement?

[orangedaisy]

Been awhile since I've been on these boards, but hi!

At nearly 36 weeks today I was a 1/2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. This is my 3rd and I can't stinkin remember how I progressed with my last two.

I've read sooo many sources saying mixed opinions about how it does or doesn't predict labor, but thoughts?

 

[butterflywolf]

I don't think it predicts labor. At 37 and 38 weeks both of them I was 2cm and first one was 25% effaced then 60% effaced. At 39 weeks I as 4cm and 80% effaced. Went into labor 9pm 39w 5d and had baby at 8:01AM 39w 6d

 

[RebeccaR19]

Well, it is progress toward labor, but it doesn't indicate when your body will decide to go from that slow labor of slowly effacing and dilating to full-on active labor. I was 3 cm dilated with my son for about 3 weeks before my water broke and I went into labor.

 

[Feronia]

Well, I was walking around at 5cm, fully effaced, and baby was fully engaged for a week. Before that I was about 3cm for several weeks. I wouldn't pay any attention to it!

 

[kajastarlight]

Well, I was walking around at 5cm, fully effaced, and baby was fully engaged for a week. Before that I was about 3cm for several weeks. I wouldn't pay any attention to it!

oh my!! Cutos to you for not being like "get this baby out of me NOW!!!" hahaha I think I would have.... I can see it now... "NO, Dr. you promised me as soon as I dialated to 4cm I would be admitted and I would give birth to this baby now I did my part so you need to do your part and you make that happen!!!!" Hahahaahahahaha. You are awesome!


I was not effaced at all and no dialation at all one day and then "boom!" 80% effaced dialated to 4 the next - had DS1 12 hours later and then when it happened with DS2 exactly the same way I had him 6 hours later

 

[luz]

As others have said, it means progress, but is no indication of labor happening soon. My sis in-law dilates to a 4 by the time she is 36 weeks and can walk around like that until 40 weeks before she finally goes into labor.

 

[Feronia]

Well, I was walking around at 5cm, fully effaced, and baby was fully engaged for a week. Before that I was about 3cm for several weeks. I wouldn't pay any attention to it!

oh my!! Cutos to you for not being like "get this baby out of me NOW!!!" hahaha I think I would have.... I can see it now... "NO, Dr. you promised me as soon as I dialated to 4cm I would be admitted and I would give birth to this baby now I did my part so you need to do your part and you make that happen!!!!" Hahahaahahahaha. You are awesome!

Haha, oh believe me, it was super frustrating! I kept going into labour, dilating a bit, then stopping for days. I didn't want to step foot in a hospital or augment it though -- everyone labours differently after all! My water ended up breaking spontaneously one day out of nowhere and I had an 2 hour labour and home birth, so everything worked out well.

 

[TexasCharlee]

I was just at the doctor yesterday afternoon, they wanted to check me since I'm high risk and the past 3-4 days have been having intense, frequent Braxton hicks and period like cramps.

I'm 34 weeks today and yesterday afternoon I had not dilated, but was about 25% effaced. My doctor said at this point he's not at all worried, and that everyone is completely different.

 

[CamoQueen]

It's definitely a good sign that you're progressing and your body is preparing, but it doesn't necessarily indicate impending labor. I tend to dilate a lot before contractions begin. Last pregnancy I was 4 cm at my 36 week check-up, then 7 cm at my 38 week check-up (where a sweep sent me into labor). I figure, the more dilating I do before labor the less I have to do in labor!

 

[Perplexed]

It's definitely a good sign that you're progressing and your body is preparing, but it doesn't necessarily indicate impending labor. I tend to dilate a lot before contractions begin. Last pregnancy I was 4 cm at my 36 week check-up, then 7 cm at my 38 week check-up (where a sweep sent me into labor). I figure, the more dilating I do before labor the less I have to do in labor!

7!!!

I am in awe!