Please Share Your Stories, Just Came Back From the Doctor and...

[miko_latte]

I was told I am 50% effaced, but my cervix is still closed. =( I was hoping to be dilated...okay so 50% effaced is halfway, so the higher the percentage, the closer I am to dilation right? Okay, so just by a guess, how long do you think it will take to get to 100% effaced?? I know every women is different and anything can happen but if you ladies can help me out and share your stories about being effaced and how soon after did you dilate and go into labor?? Thanks ladies for your help.

[adawning4]

I cant really remember about the effacement and dialation. But you should walk alot and drink lots of water. They say that orgasms will help you to dialate and start to contract. Walking is the best way to go! Good Luck to you.....

[JustMe0925]

At my appt today (38W2d) i found out I was 2cm dilated and 60% effaced.

[kennedydp5]

sorry i don't have an answer for you miko...  but rather a question!  do you start dialating first or does your cervix start to thin out first?  or is that something that's different for every woman also???

and yes miko, get walking!!!  

[miko_latte]

From what I know, this is what my doctor told me today that, effacing happens first then you start to dilate. Because when he said 50% effaced I didn't really understand so then he said that my Braxton Hicks contractions is what helping me efface which will then allow the cervix to dilate. But I've also heard of effacing happening at the same time as dilation so I'm guessing it's different with every women, but from what I know effacing happens first.

[miko_latte]

Okay I just did a little more research and I read that women having their first baby will efface first before they dilate, and then women who have had a baby will can dilate first before effacing...so confusing.

[kennedydp5]

what if i've had all c-sections???  lol  i actually dialated all the way w/ my first but she had to be an emergency c-section b/c she was face up on my pelvic bone.  but after that the next 2 (and this one) were scheduled c-sections.  so i've never dialated all the way since my first.

[miko_latte]

hmm, good question, but I have no clue??

[KStarr07]

Sorry if someone already said this, but the effacement and dilation process can happen either way. You really aren't going to be 100% effaced or even that closed to it, until right before delivery because that means there is very little cervix left. Usually from what I can tell, the cervix tends to thin out and efface, then do some dilating, then the rest kind of goes hand in hand. some women don't dilate until they are IN labor. labor is so unpredictable that this doesn't mean it will take any longer or shorter for you, sorry. I'm in the same waiting game as you! :(
These two illustrations may make some sense, go in a counter-clockwise motion to go in order, the first four show dilation THEN effacement, the second set show effacement and then dilation.
http://****.

[KStarr07]

wait, not counter-clockwise. these pics are in a screwed up order. it should be top left picture, bottom left picture, then top right, then bottom right..

uhm. Am I making any sense? Hahah.

[miko_latte]

what is the website??

[JoyRenee]

Dilation and effacement are separate occurences. Dilation is how far apart the cervix opens up. Effacement is how thin your cervix becomes. Envision your cervix like a can. Effacement is how short that can keeps getting until it is flat.

So you could very well efface 100% without dilating, but your body seems to be preparing for labor. I would bet you'll dilate soon!

[BTS1022]

With my youngest son I dialated first. BUT I also walked around dialated to 3cm for a month before actual labor began.  

In order for your cervix to dialate properly your baby's head needs to be pushing down on it.

[Grandmatobe]

I just posed this point in my other post asking if the head was too big, could it be the cause for someone to NOT dilate and efface.  I was wondering if it was true.