How long before labor does effacement start? It's really important to me that my mom be in the room during labor (for practical reasons - she knows my bizarre medical history better than any OB will, and she will stand up for me so I don't end up unable to care for myself again.) She was planning on coming out when I start effacing, but I can't find anywhere how long before labor it starts.
I was 50% effaced (1 cm) at 35 weeks, still 50% (3 cm) at 36 weeks, 75% (still 3 cm) at 37, 90% (still 3 cm) at 38 weeks, and DS was born at 39 weeks. My first internal was at 35 weeks so it could have been earlier than that. So, yeah, it could be many weeks before you have the baby. Same with dilation. You can't really go by either to tell when baby will come.
Well, when I first was checked at 35 weeks I was 75 percent effaced. I have been checked every week since then. Still here waiting and overdue. So, effacement doesn't mean labor is right around the corner.
With my 2nd DS I was 3cm and 80% effaced for 3 weeks before giving birth..with this one #3, at my 36 week appt I was already a fingertip dialated and 75% effaced...and am still pregnant here....so I wouldn't base her coming on your effacement honestly. Good luck!
~Stacy
Drake 5-25-05
Jackson 3-16-08
Baby Girl EDD 9-14-12
It really really varies. Technically I was 25% effaced at 22 weeks, but apparently that is just the way I'm made (my cervix is shorter than normal) and it continued to shorten/efface gradually from that point on. I was 75% effaced on a Wednesday and delivered that Friday but other women can be effaced for weeks with no labor.
Wow. Yeah, I'm just going to see if she can come a week before my due date (Thanksgiving is 10 days prior.) She's checking to see if her boss will let her work remotely if DS drags his feet.
Re: Effacement
Anything in labor can change drastically in a very fast way. You could be at ZERO effacement and go into labor within a couple hours pop out a baby.
How far away is your mom? Does she have to fly to get to you?
Yes, she's halfway across the country. She'll definitely have to fly to get here.