Where is everyone at with their Effacement and dilation

vdesaxe · June 2015

I was checked today, I'm 36 weeks & Dr said I was 40% effaced but not dilated at all. Is this normal?? Baby is in birthing position just wondering when, and if there's even an idea on when, I could
Go into labor!! I'm sooo ready to have this baby!!

gotdiesel2007 · June 2015

Wouldn't know. Refused to get check because it means nothing. Your normal is completely different than my normal or anyone elses.

mommy1922 · June 2015

Saw my doctor today. She said my cervix is soft, but it's still closed. She said we may see more action next week. I'm 37+2 today.

tibi5 · June 2015

Did the check hurt? I have my first one next week...

kelckings · June 2015

36+2 50% and 1cm. It doesn't really mean much but hopefully to continue to soften/dilate and have a baby in the next couple of weeks. A girl can dream!

mommy1922 · June 2015

tibi5 said:
Did the check hurt? I have my first one next week...

Not really. Just pressure but no pain. Like a normal exam.

hatchley · June 2015

Im 35 weeks, 60% effaced and 4 cm dilated. Nothing happening. Just walking around waiting. Been this way for a week

kagingras · June 2015

I am 36 weeks, am 3cm dilated and 70% effaced. Been having contractions about every 7 minutes and yaaaay lower back pain. Never thought I'd say this but I hope this starts to turn into something more definite soon.

MrsJIsbell · June 2015

I'm 36 weeks and my Dr said my body isn't doing anything to prepare yet. He said he thinks I might go past my due date....

julesgulia · June 2015

I was hoping my check would not hurt but pretty painful so she had to stop. But she is pretty sure not dialated. Have no fear though I've had friends 3 cm dilated for weeks and no action, while others none and go quick. It's totally different for everyone!

juliekay25 · June 2015

Had my 37 week appt on Monday and was 70% effaced And no dilation yet. Have about two and half weeks to go so I think its OK to be at this point.

bethanylynn456 · June 2015

Almost 38 weeks, 2 cm and 70% effaced. The midwife said my stomach felt like a berry ready to burst, gee thanks.

jesicabrennan · June 2015

Can't believe you all get checked! I plan on having no checks until I'm in labor and then only if I'm desperate!

julesgulia · June 2015

I 100% agree! I'm going to refuse to be checked the next time it just brought unnecessary worry.

Miz_Liz · June 2015

gotdiesel2007 said:

Wouldn't know. Refused to get check because it means nothing. Your normal is completely different than my normal or anyone elses.

This. There is no medical need, it won't predict anything - you can be dilated for weeks without going into labor (friend of mine was over 5 cm for quite some time), it can introduce bacteria in where bacteria has no business being, and the checks hurt like hell! Absolutely nothing about them pre-labor makes them worth doing...my Dr fully agreed.

mfitch9191 · June 2015

Why do Dr's check if it means nothing? I think I get my first check next week but I don't want them to get hopes up if it doesn't mean anything.

carlyyo · June 2015

I'm assuming doctors check for a reason, right? I can't imagine it means nothing.

julesgulia · June 2015

To respond, I think the checks mean something it's just not a guarantee you will go into labor quicker than anyone else if you are dialated. You can still be dialated and need to be induced. However, from my understanding, if you are not dialated at all past due date they have to put a crib in your cervix to dialate you. If they have to induce you and you are dialated, they give you pitocin. At least this is what my gyno practice does.

gotdiesel2007 · June 2015

mfitch9191 said:
Why do Dr's check if it means nothing? I think I get my first check next week but I don't want them to get hopes up if it doesn't mean anything.

carlyyo said:
I'm assuming doctors check for a reason, right? I can't imagine it means nothing.

As you can see not all drs check I cannot think of one reason why you would

MrsTiger123 · June 2015

Vaginal exams during pregnancy may be an antiquated practice, but I don't think they are unnecessary. I think it also depends on the type of birth you are hoping for- if you want minimum intervention and would refuse medical inductions, then your vaginal exam really doesn't matter. Vaginal exam introduce far less bacteria than intercourse. Your doctor or midwife washes their hands, puts on a sterile glove, then uses sterile lubricant. Frequent vaginal exams would be contraindicated AFTER your water broke and should be avoided when possible. If you are healthy enough to still be having sex, then the vaginal exam really isn't a big concern.

My doctor does a speculum exam at 36 weeks along with a GBS swab. I think they figure while they are in there, they may as well check your cervix. Why do weekly exams follow? Here is one scenario. You think you are in labor, so you head into L&D (after talking to your physician- never just show up- they hate that). The nurse puts you on the monitor and does a vaginal exam when you arrive. You are 4 cm, she says, "What were you in the office this week?" If you were just 1 cm, she will know this is a big change. If you had and exam and were 4 cm, it looks like not much is going on. It can help them decide if you need admitted quickly or if you need more monitoring to rule out labor. If you'd never had an exam, they will monitor you or have you walk for a few hours and see if labor symptoms worsen and if you have a cervical change. It's not a huge difference in plan of care, but if you want an epidural or something it might help move things along quickly.

babydoll1008 · June 2015

Cervix is closed for me.

Despite it meaning nothing to check, I always feel like it's progress...for me personally

carlyyo · June 2015

MrsTiger123 said:
Vaginal exams during pregnancy may be an antiquated practice, but I don't think they are unnecessary. I think it also depends on the type of birth you are hoping for- if you want minimum intervention and would refuse medical inductions, then your vaginal exam really doesn't matter. Vaginal exam introduce far less bacteria than intercourse. Your doctor or midwife washes their hands, puts on a sterile glove, then uses sterile lubricant. Frequent vaginal exams would be contraindicated AFTER your water broke and should be avoided when possible. If you are healthy enough to still be having sex, then the vaginal exam really isn't a big concern.

My doctor does a speculum exam at 36 weeks along with a GBS swab. I think they figure while they are in there, they may as well check your cervix. Why do weekly exams follow? Here is one scenario. You think you are in labor, so you head into L&D (after talking to your physician- never just show up- they hate that). The nurse puts you on the monitor and does a vaginal exam when you arrive. You are 4 cm, she says, "What were you in the office this week?" If you were just 1 cm, she will know this is a big change. If you had and exam and were 4 cm, it looks like not much is going on. It can help them decide if you need admitted quickly or if you need more monitoring to rule out labor. If you'd never had an exam, they will monitor you or have you walk for a few hours and see if labor symptoms worsen and if you have a cervical change. It's not a huge difference in plan of care, but if you want an epidural or something it might help move things along quickly.

These seem like good reasons to have the test done. And luckily for me they haven't hurt at all like some others have unfortunately described. Also, my midwife seems to find the checks to be important so I am going to follow her advice.

mommy1922 · June 2015

Same here. I'm following my doctor's protocol. I like @MrsTiger123's explanation as well. I don't think my doctor would do checks if it posed a risk to my baby. And I know it could be way off and it's up to God and baby to decide when she's coming, but I'd still like to know if there's progress or not!

mirrenrue · June 2015

Where I can see it actually mattered to have checked was for example my aunt went into the doctor and she was 3 cm , it was her 39th week. He scheduled her induction, and 12 hours later she lost her mucus plug and had contractions. She labored at home for an hour and a half totally forgetting she was dilated at a 3. By the time she made it into the hospital, no epidural could be given and she was literally crowning. So basically, the checks won't tell you WHEN you will go into labor but rather how quick once you do. Of course if it is not your first pregnancy, you will already have a good idea.

babymorgan72015 · June 2015

At 36 weeks I was 1 cm & 25% effaced. Just nice to know some progress is being made.

giselle1312 · June 2015

I had a doctor appt yesterday I'm 36 weeks my doctor refuses to check me till I'm 39 weeks which is pointless at that time because It will be a c section ... But I have been feeling a lot of pressure so that's why I wanted to know if I had dilated and if there was a chance for me to open and have it vaginal for my daughter I only open 3 cm

aschoppers · June 2015

Tuesday appt, the doc didn't check. Wednesday morning I woke up with regular contractions, only 34+5 so they had me come in. Resident checked; 1 cm, 25% effaced. I sat at 2 cm for weeks with my first two. Sent home, contractions stopped.

Poor husband didn't know what was going on with 1 cm so thought I was actually in labor.

butterfly061583 · June 2015

I planned on not having any checks until active labor this time due to the fact that I walked around 4+ cm dilated with my last pregnancy for 1 month and still went past due. However I ended up spending all of yesterday in L&D. Had a painful speculum exam to test for my water being broken then came the excruciating cervical check. I wanted to scream. My cervix was so high up the midwife had trouble reaching it. Turns out I'm not dilated at all and not effaced, high and tight and 37 weeks 5 days. Not worried about it it's different from my last experience but dilation can happen in hours. No more checks for me it hurt way too badly.

JHaworth84 · June 2015

gotdiesel2007 said:

mfitch9191 said:
Why do Dr's check if it means nothing? I think I get my first check next week but I don't want them to get hopes up if it doesn't mean anything.

carlyyo said:
I'm assuming doctors check for a reason, right? I can't imagine it means nothing.
As you can see not all drs check I cannot think of one reason why you would

The biggest reason I (as a UK doctor and cynical of any private healthcare system) can see is to bill your insurance. As others have said it means absolutely nothing as changes can occur very rapidly. They don't get performed in the UK unless clinically indicated.

amandrew0531 · June 2015

Went for my 37 week apt yesterday and after two weeks had gone from 60% effaced to 80% effaced, and 1cm dilated to 3 cm dilated. Dr said my body is progressing well on its own, and I should be able to go into labor naturally, and possibly before my due date.

who knows when she will get here, but it is nice to see progress made at this point lol

smccall3838 · June 2015

Nada. Monday doc cheerily described, "nothings happening." (:| So, yeah.

stparrish · June 2015

36 weeks I was 50% and 37 weeks I was 75%. Today I'm 37+3 and I'm guessing I'm still not dilated yet. I'm ready for her to come out already! My hips are killing me.

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