100% effaced, 1.5cm dilated!

Hanalei1

Hey ladies,

I am 35 weeks and 4 days. I had a doctors appointment Monday and he told me that I was 100% effaced and 1.5cm dilated, and that I would never see my due date. This excited me at first, but now, I keep thinking that it will happen any moment! I am crampy in my back and lower abdomen and feel a lot of pressure on my pelvis! I may be overthinking this, but I am still working and I am terrified that my water will break all over me at any minute while I am at work! So basically, my question is, how long did it take for you to go into labor once you found out you were 100% effaced?

WashingtonQueen

There is no telling when you will go into labor, could be tomorrow or it could be at 41 weeks. Someone else's experience will not be your own. I would take it easy and try to keep that baby in as long as possible. I would never, ever be excited at the idea of a premature baby.

24karat

Hanalei1 said:

Hey ladies,

I am 35 weeks and 4 days. I had a doctors appointment Monday and he told me that I was 100% effaced and 1.5cm dilated, and that I would never see my due date. This excited me at first, but now, I keep thinking that it will happen any moment! I am crampy in my back and lower abdomen and feel a lot of pressure on my pelvis! I may be overthinking this, but I am still working and I am terrified that my water will break all over me at any minute while I am at work! So basically, my question is, how long did it take for you to go into labor once you found out you were 100% effaced?

Has your OB given you any extra instructions? You could go any day, or you could go past your due date. Anything could happen. With progress like that, though, I'd be doing whatever I could to up the chances of making it to term (39wks) for the baby's sake.

Hanalei1

I get that! I asked my doctor if I should be worried and he said that if I can make it to at least 37 weeks, he should be fine, and I shouldn't have anything to worry about!

Helenahhandbasket

Don't be excited about having a possibly pre-term baby.

That being said, I will tell you that I went into labor at 33 weeks-- was at 2 cm and contracting every 3 min when I was admitted to the hospital.  I was hospitalized, and they were able to stop the labor (thankfully) with meds.  OB also told me there was no way I would make my EDD.

I went on to carry almost to term (DD was born at 38 +5).

FX for you carry your baby at least a few weeks longer.

naturaloaklandmama

I don't know what you do for work and what your circumstances are but the sooner you can just be staying home and relaxing/resting -- the better. Best of luck!

ncbelle

Not even the wisest doctor in the world can predict when you will go into labor.  You can walk around several cm for weeks and not have a baby.

And you definitely want to keep on cooking for as long as you can anyway!

jgilesslp

My second son I had absolutely no signs of labor: not effaced, cervix still high and closed, etc and the very next day he came fast and furious. My first I had signs but needed to be induced....you just never know.

PrimRoseMama

At 35 weeks I'd be crazy worried about it. Way too early...

I was effaced & walking around at 5cm dilated at 41 weeks. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Justabean3

I get what you mean by being excited to meet you baby but hold out for them as long as you can they need that time in there.

My SIL always walks around dialating a few weeks. She was at a 5 last time 3 days is what it took her to go into labor at 38 weeks. Her water broke on the way there.

Good luck and listen to your doctors.

bluebird0521

@Elbug -- I'm glad you shared your experience. I am currently on bed rest because I am fingertip dilated and my cervix is measuring 0.8 cm, which they said is a little over 80% effaced and that was at 30 weeks. My doctor keeps telling me that I could have this baby at any time, but I have this nagging feeling I will probably end up going up to, if not after, my due date. It makes me feel better to know there are other women who have had a shortened and dilating cervix that made it full term.

missmiss307

I'm really surprised your doctor told you that. I've known women who've walked around for 3-4 weeks at 4 cm. Dilation/effacement are really not a good predictor of when you will go into labor.

Stormytucker

I wouldn't worry too much, I was 100% effaced and 1 cm dilated for 3 half weeks before I had my lo. Everyone is different and there's no way to predict when a woman will go into labor! Good luck

katekat8721

Dilation/effacement could mean something, could mean nothing...

As someone praying to reach 36 weeks with her twins I can't relate to this "excitement" at all. I pretty much want to punch all family/friends who tell me when they think the babies are going to be here (all preemie dates).

Even late preemies are serious business.

Shelleybell

i'm really surprised your doc didn't put you on bed rest.  I had this happen with DD1 at 35 weeks and was put on strict bed rest to try to keep her cooking as long as possible. As previous posters suggested a preemie is nothing to be excited for.