I know there is no way to predict when a woman will go into labor, but I would like to hear your stories. Have any of you ever been 3-4 or so cm dilated and 70% or so effaced and made it weeks before going into labor? Or, did your labor come quickly after you found out you were that dilated and that effaced? Also, was this baby #1 or a subsequent baby for you?
My doctors made it seem as if the 70% effacement was more "worrisome" than the dilation. .
I am currently about 36 weeks along (due date keeps changing to later and later, but 36 is what they think is closest).
Thanks for sharing!
i was 5cm and 90%effacted for 10 weeks - but i was also going into active labor every other day, then going in for meds to stop it - i was luck to get that 10 weeks and delivered at 36 weeks. it is VERY normal to be dilated like you are at the end, especially when it's not a first child.
I was in the same position at 36 weeks, and was induced at 39 weeks. I chose to be induced, so who knows how much longer I would of gone. This was my first baby. When I was induced, I was only in labor for 5 hours before pushing.
The very last time I went in before my son was born, I had contractions that were 2-4 minutes apart. I was 38 weeks though, when I went in the doctor checked me and looked at me and asked, "Are you hoping to stay tonight?" I said yes because I was tired of being sent home. She smiled and said I wasn't leaving until I had my baby. I was 4 cm dilated and 100% effaced. About an hour after being admitted I got my epidural and was a happy camper until I started pushing at 2:30 p.m. the next day. My epidural wore off on my right side and I could feel everything. I delivered my son at 2:55 p.m. On March 31st. He was my first baby, now I am pregnant with my second one who is due in May. Good luck. It just all depends on how fast your body goes into hard labor. :)
I thought 36 weeks was long enough for the baby's development, so don't worry.
I was 90% effaced and 1 cm dialated from week 35 to delivery with my first (#2 is still in my belly). If you're 36 weeks and do go into labor, don't worry. 36 weeks is considered full-term and the lungs are most often developed enough by then that there is not need for concern. Good luck!
36 weeks is considered "full term" and no longer a preemie so don't worry too much. My second on had her head down in my pelvis and it felt like resting right on my bladder for 3 long weeks until she was born 1 day before her due date. I was a little bit dilated too, maybe 2 cm, but not effaced much at all.
I was 3.5cm dilated when they decided to induce me (at 39 weeks for health reasons) but I didn't have any signs of labor before that. My water didn't break and i didn't use my mucous plug until they broke my water and started the pitocin. I think I honestly could of made it 40+ weeks while being that dilated.
I started dilating 6 weeks early. For the first one, I was induced at 40+ weeks and 3 cm, 90%. For the second, I was 5 cm, 90% and still had to be induced after my due date because he was getting too big. On the up side, my labor the first time was 5 hours, second time was only 3!!!
I was 90% and at a 2 for the 2 months. It was horrible! Kept getting told any time now! Ugh it was not fun. Hang in there.
I hate to tell you this, but I was 4 and 90% 6 weeks early. Then I was 4 and 100% the last 2 weeks. I had to be induced. The last time I was not near as far along and I gave birth 3 weeks early. These are just not good indicators.
well, seeing as we don't know how far along you are from your message that's harder to predict.
My mother was 4cm dilated for 6 weeks before delivering my younger brother a week past her due date. (second baby)
I was 2cm dilated for 3 weeks before my induction (2nd baby-due to health reasons).
There's no real way to tell, but if you make it to 36 weeks they won't stop your labor.
Just to correct - if you're on a 40w schedule, 37w is "full term"... But lots of women walk around dilated and effaced for WEEKS before having their baby.
My first child I was 4cm dilated about 3 weeks out.. but then didn't change at all. I ended up being induced just after 40 weeks. I kept thinking it would happen any minute! Never did.
Good luck - congrats by the way!
