4 Cm Dilated and 70% Effaced - Will I Make It to Term?!

Updated on November 02, 2010
S.J. asks from Cherryville, MO
12 answers

I know there is no way to predict when a woman will go into labor, but I would like to hear your stories. Have any of you ever been 3-4 or so cm dilated and 70% or so effaced and made it weeks before going into labor? Or, did your labor come quickly after you found out you were that dilated and that effaced? Also, was this baby #1 or a subsequent baby for you?

My doctors made it seem as if the 70% effacement was more "worrisome" than the dilation. .

I am currently about 36 weeks along (due date keeps changing to later and later, but 36 is what they think is closest).

Thanks for sharing!

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

i was 5cm and 90%effacted for 10 weeks - but i was also going into active labor every other day, then going in for meds to stop it - i was luck to get that 10 weeks and delivered at 36 weeks. it is VERY normal to be dilated like you are at the end, especially when it's not a first child.

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

I was in the same position at 36 weeks, and was induced at 39 weeks. I chose to be induced, so who knows how much longer I would of gone. This was my first baby. When I was induced, I was only in labor for 5 hours before pushing.

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A.F.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

The very last time I went in before my son was born, I had contractions that were 2-4 minutes apart. I was 38 weeks though, when I went in the doctor checked me and looked at me and asked, "Are you hoping to stay tonight?" I said yes because I was tired of being sent home. She smiled and said I wasn't leaving until I had my baby. I was 4 cm dilated and 100% effaced. About an hour after being admitted I got my epidural and was a happy camper until I started pushing at 2:30 p.m. the next day. My epidural wore off on my right side and I could feel everything. I delivered my son at 2:55 p.m. On March 31st. He was my first baby, now I am pregnant with my second one who is due in May. Good luck. It just all depends on how fast your body goes into hard labor. :)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I thought 36 weeks was long enough for the baby's development, so don't worry.

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M.F.

answers from Phoenix on

I was 90% effaced and 1 cm dialated from week 35 to delivery with my first (#2 is still in my belly). If you're 36 weeks and do go into labor, don't worry. 36 weeks is considered full-term and the lungs are most often developed enough by then that there is not need for concern. Good luck!

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R.Y.

answers from New York on

36 weeks is considered "full term" and no longer a preemie so don't worry too much. My second on had her head down in my pelvis and it felt like resting right on my bladder for 3 long weeks until she was born 1 day before her due date. I was a little bit dilated too, maybe 2 cm, but not effaced much at all.

V.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I was 3.5cm dilated when they decided to induce me (at 39 weeks for health reasons) but I didn't have any signs of labor before that. My water didn't break and i didn't use my mucous plug until they broke my water and started the pitocin. I think I honestly could of made it 40+ weeks while being that dilated.

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S.H.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I started dilating 6 weeks early. For the first one, I was induced at 40+ weeks and 3 cm, 90%. For the second, I was 5 cm, 90% and still had to be induced after my due date because he was getting too big. On the up side, my labor the first time was 5 hours, second time was only 3!!!

M.P.

answers from Provo on

I was 90% and at a 2 for the 2 months. It was horrible! Kept getting told any time now! Ugh it was not fun. Hang in there.

S.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I hate to tell you this, but I was 4 and 90% 6 weeks early. Then I was 4 and 100% the last 2 weeks. I had to be induced. The last time I was not near as far along and I gave birth 3 weeks early. These are just not good indicators.

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M.K.

answers from Monroe on

well, seeing as we don't know how far along you are from your message that's harder to predict.

My mother was 4cm dilated for 6 weeks before delivering my younger brother a week past her due date. (second baby)

I was 2cm dilated for 3 weeks before my induction (2nd baby-due to health reasons).

There's no real way to tell, but if you make it to 36 weeks they won't stop your labor.

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H.A.

answers from Dallas on

Just to correct - if you're on a 40w schedule, 37w is "full term"... But lots of women walk around dilated and effaced for WEEKS before having their baby.

My first child I was 4cm dilated about 3 weeks out.. but then didn't change at all. I ended up being induced just after 40 weeks. I kept thinking it would happen any minute! Never did.

Good luck - congrats by the way!

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