A fingertip dilated?!?!?

RNjack

Hello all, I've never posted here before, have lurked once in a while though. But i had a quick question, if anyone can help me out I'd appreciate it. At the doc's appt. today he said I was a 'fingertip' dilated and super soft (cervix wise). So what the heck does that mean? I have not lost the plug or broken water yet. Is the baby coming soon, like this week? Or can it be a while still? Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic that I made some sort-of progress, considering I am in the 'get this baby out-of-me' phase. Anyone heard of this before and can tell me what to expect? Thanks

-j

madhatter2003

A fingertip basically means less than 1 full cm dilated. But with my DD I was told that and went into labor 2 days later....or you could have weeks still.

Mogwai

I've been fingertip/50% effaced since 36 weeks.  Finger tip dilated means that the opening in your cervix is slightly open, but not quite far enough to be considered 1 cm.  It doesn't mean anything time-wise.

Some women go weeks being dilated 3cm with nothing, and other women are closed up tight, and go into labor the next day.

MrsScottBrady

Doesn't mean much...I've been a fingertip for 2 weeks now...

eris1995

I've been a fingertip dilated since I was 38 weeks.  It just means your body is starting to prepare itself.  Sure you could go into labor tomorrow, or 3 weeks from now. 

countrybabe14

The soft comment may mean the baby's head has not dropped down far enough for the doc to feel.... I know lots of women who walked around 3 cm dialated for weeks so I wouldn't read too much into it.  Sounds like you have progress though!! Which is good!  Good Luck!

RNjack

Great...I had a feeling it was too good to be true, lol. Thanks for all the replies, at least I know im not alone here!

-j

rona118

welcome to the club....I've been that way for at least 2 weeks!

ncbelle

Basically nothing - you can be several centimeters dilated for weeks or go from nothing to full labor in hours.

careyg02

The softening of the cervix is actually a good thing- that means it's starting to do what it needs to do. Your cervix is normally harder to the touch and positioned toward the back, so when it starts to soften and move toward the front you know your body is starting to prepare for labor. Still no way to determine when you will actually deliver. :-(