Week of May 5- Cervical Dialation and Effacement

LKHoffa · May 2014

Anyone have physical exams this week and know how far they are dialated and effaced? Any STMs have any guidance as to what those measurements have meant for them??

MissBHaven1024 · May 2014

When I made my L&D visit last Friday, I was 1cm and 30% effaced at 34w6d. Effacement is more important than dilation, because you will not dilate effectively if you aren't effaced.

Also, you can sit at the same place for a while, so the numbers don't always mean a lot. With DD#2, I was 4cm and 80% effaced at 37 weeks; she still came 4 days late.

izzetoot · May 2014

Im 36w 4d, 30% effaced and dilated to 2. FTM so no help there, but my OB did say that my fluid levels were on the low side of normal and at my next weekly appt on 5.13 if they continue to drop they will admit me to L&D and induce. AHHHHHHH!!!

caitb413 · May 2014

I'm curious as to what STMs have to say, too! I'm 36w1d (FTM) and at my checkup today found out I'm "a good cm dilated but cervix is still nice and firm." OB predicts we have a few more weeks to go. Who knows what'll happen in the next four weeks, though.

anations · May 2014

At 34wks5dys I was 70% and 2 cm. that was one week ago. I'm having twins. I am considered term, per MD, in 2 days. I really hope they come soon Bc I am huge. I can't imagine going another 2 weeks!

fsumom · May 2014

I'll be declining all checks as they don't really mean anything. I was a few cm dilated with DD for a few weeks before having her. I'm planning a VBAC this time around and don't care to know if there's any progress.

steprozz · May 2014

with DS1 they started cervical checks at 36 weeks and I was 1.5 cm and soft but still high. when I went in for possible labor and ended up being induced at 39 weeks I was 2 cm and still soft and high.

when I just went in last week for preterm labor at 34 weeks I was 1 cm and soft and high. seems to be a trend for me.

laramt · May 2014

35 weeks 70% effaced 1cm dilated.

sjn00 · May 2014

Why do they check if it doesn't really mean anything?

MissBHaven1024 · May 2014

SaraJoy00 said:
Why do they check if it doesn't really mean anything?

It doesn't "mean much" in terms of time. For me, I sat at 4cm for 3.5 weeks, so in that regard, it didn't mean much in terms of getting a good idea of when baby was coming.

People can be 1cm and soft one day, and 3cm and 80% effaced the next. It's just not always a good of measure of what things mean in terms of a delivery timeframe.

sjn00 · May 2014

MissBHaven1024 said:

Why do they check if it doesn't really mean anything?
It doesn't "mean much" in terms of time. For me, I sat at 4cm for 3.5 weeks, so in that regard, it didn't mean much in terms of getting a good idea of when baby was coming. People can be 1cm and soft one day, and 3cm and 80% effaced the next. It's just not always a good of measure of what things mean in terms of a delivery timeframe.

I understand that, so why do they check it?

ncbelle · May 2014

I decline internals because they tell you nothing - you can walk around at 3-4 for weeks or go from zero to baby in hours.

They do them because it's an attempt to "control" the birth process - to imagine we can make a prediction. Fortunately, many practitioners are abandoning them because they are pretty pointless.

Mztwilson · May 2014

2 cm snd 40% as of Monday. I'm now 36 weeks and been feeling crampy but nothing to get excited about

Kinipela7 · May 2014

The checks may not mean much, but it does mean less work when you are in actual labor and that's good enough for me to want to know! I am positive my doctor does not do them because they are trying to "control" the process.

At 36 weeks I was 0cm dilated and very soft. They didn't bother checking at 37 weeks. They will check again tomorrow and hoping for some progress.

nicolemcm · May 2014

At my appt yesterday at 35+3, she said I was closed and hard...so I guess it's closed up like Fort Knox until further notice lol

flojo973 · May 2014

I was not dilated but 40% effaced at 36w3d. I was going to decline the check but I wound up in L&D on Sunday because of bleeding and contractions so they checked to see if I was dilated.

@izzetoot - my fluid is low too and they almost induced me on Sunday! I was freaking out, ha. I'm not ready yet!

efino87 · May 2014

As much as my family pays for these cervical lengths, I wish I could say I knew they were super necessary but I do think it has more to do with not getting sued. I started shortening and dialating at 29 weeks. Two weeks ago I was at 1cm, 50% and 2cm length. I ask every appointment if it means I will have another preemie and dr says they dont know. With DD I was 2cm and 90% effaced at 35 weeks and was told I could go another month. I made it 4 days.....

katiebartton · May 2014

I had my 37 week apt yesterday I was 1cm 50% and -2

MissBHaven1024 · May 2014

SaraJoy00 said:

MissBHaven1024 said:

SaraJoy00 said:
Why do they check if it doesn't really mean anything?
It doesn't "mean much" in terms of time. For me, I sat at 4cm for 3.5 weeks, so in that regard, it didn't mean much in terms of getting a good idea of when baby was coming.

People can be 1cm and soft one day, and 3cm and 80% effaced the next. It's just not always a good of measure of what things mean in terms of a delivery timeframe.

I understand that, so why do they check it?

I can't speak for all docs or midwives, but mine check just as a general knowledge base line. I've noticed more that a lot of docs don't check until week 38-39 because it doesn't matter much before then.

I've only had checks done because I'm contracting all day long and this is my 3rd baby. My chances are increased of dilating and effacing sooner because my body has done this a few times now.

rastrau · May 2014

Like several of the other PP, my practice doesn't do internal checks until you're checking in to L&D. I would probably decline them anyway.

sjn00 · May 2014

Thanks everyone for the added education!! I am going to be a FTM and she has never wanted to check me (though I think I will decline until I am in actual labor) so I was just curious as to why it was done. Thank you! =]

Mrs_D_in_KY · May 2014

STM mom. I started with preterm labor at 25 weeks. I have been checked numerous times between then and now, I'm 34 weeks. I'm 2 cm and 50% effaced as of yesterday.

Lynnja616 · May 2014

I will get checked at my appointment this week Thursday. I'm having my group b strep test done so while they're down there I figured might as well see if there's anything going on.

With DD, I was 2 cm and 50% at 36 weeks and stayed that way, until I went into labor 4 days past due. So, my "progress" meant very little. With DS I never dialated/effaced on my own at all. (I was induced 6 days past due at 0 cm, 0%- yeah not fun).

LKHoffa · May 2014

Thanks for all the input guys! I'm 35 weeks, 1 day, and at my appointment on Monday, I was told I was 2 cm dialated and 80% effaced. I was shocked because I honestly didn't expect to hear that there was anything going on down there!

My midwife said "I would be shocked if you lasted until your due date of June 8th" which then made me think I was going to go into labor any day! Now that I've had time to calm down and surf the internet lol, I know that these measurements are more indicators than definitive markers. Whew!

ADalesa29 · May 2014

I'm 36w2d and 1cm dilated 70% effaced for whatever it's worth. At least I feel like my contractions are doing something?

babygabe614 · May 2014

My OB says they don't start doing checks until 36 weeks. I started having BH about a week ago, which I read is a signal that stuff is happening down there. I'll be interested to see where I'm at in a few weeks from now. Good to know plenty of you have walked around with what sounds like "high" percentages and were totally fine.

becomingmommyagain · May 2014

I've had biweekly checks since 26 weeks. Not scheduled but it seemed that every 2 weeks my ute would flip the f@$& out and is be having tons of contractions. With history of spontaneous preterm labor, checking is important. With my last, he was born at 32w3d. I had zero contractions and zero real labor symptoms. Had my doc not done a check just because I felt weird my kid would have been born on the side of the road. Fortunately, he was born in the hospital 2 hours later - med free.

Checking might not be needed for everyone, but for me I consider it a must. I'm terrified of not having symptoms of labor until it's too late to get to the hospital.

izzetoot · May 2014

flojo973 said:

I was not dilated but 40% effaced at 36w3d. I was going to decline the check but I wound up in L&D on Sunday because of bleeding and contractions so they checked to see if I was dilated.

@izzetoot - my fluid is low too and they almost induced me on Sunday! I was freaking out, ha. I'm not ready yet!

My OB is about 90% sure things are going down on 5.13! Im frantically trying to get things sorted out with work and home bc I though I had until at least the last week of May! At least there is a little insight, its not like my water broke at the grocery store or something

You'll be ready too, and good luck when its your time! Soooooo exciting!!

Rosebud2587 · May 2014

Don't know yet with this baby but with DD I was 6cm, 70% at 36 weeks. DD was born at 42 weeks.

Rosebud2587 · May 2014

LKHoffa said:

My midwife said "I would be shocked if you lasted until your due date of June 8th" which then made me think I was going to go into labor any day!

My MW started saying the same thing to me at 34 weeks when pregnant with DD. DD was born at 42 weeks. Every week when I'd show up for my check up I'd get the "you're still pregnant!"

elle_tee19 · May 2014

As of today, I'm 36+3, 1cm, 50%, and -2.

BabyCurtiss2014 · May 2014

I'm 36.1 wks and they still haven't checked!

I'm having lower back pain/cramps so maybe it's coming soon? I have an appt tomorrow so we will see

LKHoffa · May 2014

Rosebud2587 said:

LKHoffa said:

My midwife said "I would be shocked if you lasted until your due date of June 8th" which then made me think I was going to go into labor any day!

My MW started saying the same thing to me at 34 weeks when pregnant with DD. DD was born at 42 weeks. Every week when I'd show up for my check up I'd get the "you're still pregnant!"

Really?! There should be a rule against making such bold predictions!!!

[-X [-X

wimb01 · May 2014

last time, i was checked after the group b strep test, and the doctor told me I was 3 cm dialated. At 40 weeks when I went in for my appointment hoping to have my membranes stripped, they told me I was only a 1. At 41 weeks I was induced. Go figure. You can go backwards, and... every doctor has different sized fingers, just saying. I will be declining checks this time, as it only drives you more crazy

pfefferlel · May 2014

I was checked today and am 35w4d. I am 1cm dilated and 80% effaced.

Want a personalized experience?

Week of May 5- Cervical Dialation and Effacement

Re: Week of May 5- Cervical Dialation and Effacement

Choose Another Board

Search Boards