Effacement vs Dilation progress...

michdance

I'm 38 weeks, 3 days. My cervix has thinned out 75%, but I'm only a fingertip dilated and have been this since 36 weeks! Anyone else experiencing more effacement progress than dilation progress?  Does a thinned out cervix help with dilation?  In other words...do I have any hope that I may start dilating soon?

TIA!!

AmyLee11

Ha! I have this exact same question, so thanks for asking

I am not dilating at all, but am 50% effaced, and have NO idea what this means! (If anything... lol).

Pocky873

I'm a couple of weeks behind you, but I've been wondering the exact same thing.  I had my 1st internal this week, and I'm 90% effaced and she's at station 0 to -1, but 0 cm dilated.  I don't know what that means, if anything, other than my cervix is super soft.  I am very interested in hearing the responses...

wildfloweragain

my labor coach was impressed when I was reportedly at 50% (the nurse practitioner was wrong, though.)

She seemed more impressed by effacement than dilation if that helps!

WildcatPrincess

I read first timers tend to efface before dilating where subsequent pregnancies the cervix dilates first, then effaces.  Thought that was interesting.

crittermama

I've read that it's easier for the cervix to dilate when it it more effaced.

SweetieP

I'm exactly opposite - -- I 'm dilating but my cervix is still long.

charmgal

WildcatPrincess:

I read first timers tend to efface before dilating where subsequent pregnancies the cervix dilates first, then effaces.  Thought that was interesting.

This is what I've always understood too. With first babies, you'll mostly thin out before you start to really dilate.  The opposite is true for subsequent pregnancies--you'll dilate first, then start to thin.  

A much more predictive sign of impending labor is when your cervix becomes soft and anterior (basically in line with the vagina) 

lesalia217

I've got the same thing going.  very thinned out, but only fingertip dilated.   Still doesn't mean much.  I could take another two weeks or another two days.   no good way to predict.