Dilated, effaced and engaged...second time Mom

jrshyke · August 2013

I went in for my 36 week 3 day check up and my OB said I was 1 cm dilated, 50% effaced and baby's head was engaged. I am a second time Mom so wondering if that has any indication that she will be early? There has been some debate regarding my due date because she was measuring small. Initially it was 9/11, but then they switched it to 9/18. Just wondered if there were any second, third or more time Moms out there with similar experience?

TIA!

HFrizzle · August 2013

LOL Nope! With all of my kids, going on 4, I've always been dilated 1 to 2 cm for at least 3-4 weeks and never delivered early. You could be closed up like Fort Knox next time they check you.

Jmo30 · August 2013

I was dilated 3cm for weeks before DD came so it really has no significance other than you being closer to your due date.

llybeck · August 2013

Dilation, effacement and even if your LO is engaged (they can disengage still) really don't mean anything in regards to when you will go into labor. A lot of OB's don't do the cervical checks for that reason.

WashingtonQueen · August 2013

Nope, dilation and effacement mean nothing as to when labor will start.

With my first born I was completely tight and closed up until labor. I had him at 39w6d. Here I am now at 39w6d still pregnant with my second birth baby. When I was checked on Wednesday I was 3cm and 60% effaced.

PrimRoseMama · August 2013

Means nothing. Don't hope for an early baby.

momof2buggs · August 2013

No. This is not any indication of anything, except that you are dilated to a 1, and you are 50% effaced. Your baby will come when the time is right. I had the same experiences, and 2 of my my babies ended up being induced, which was terrible. My 3rd child though, was different. I wasn't dilated at all, and very discouraged, and he came at 37 weeks. On his own. Weird. If I ever have another baby, I will just let things happen as they will. I know it's hard to be patient, when you're as big as a whale,and can't sleep or move, but that's just the way it is. Thankfully we are not pregnant forever.

jrshyke · August 2013

Thanks. Actually, I don't want her to come early so that is reassuring. I would be very happy to wait until 40 weeks!

megframe16 · August 2013

I was 2cm for the last month.. My cousin was dilated to 6cm for a few weeks and no baby!!

imakeeff0rts · August 2013

HFrizzle said:

LOL Nope! With all of my kids, going on 4, I've always been dilated 1 to 2 cm for at least 3-4 weeks and never delivered early. You could be closed up like Fort Knox next time they check you.

LOLOLOLOL
Consider me secure, then.I wonder if my OB has to show her ID to the gate guards when she goes to check.

Kim22 · August 2013

My friend recently went to the doctor for a 3 pm appointment at 39 weeks. Dr said nothing's happening see you next week. 8 hours later she was holding her baby after a quick natural birth. Never know.