I wasn't dilated at all and my cervix wasn't soft with my first kid, but when I got induced, my cervix started to take action and I was able to give birth naturally, my doctor never even mentioned a csection for me. Don't know why your doctor would say you have to get one
I'm 36+2 examined today and said I have a narrow pelvic arch. She is still going to let me try for vbac.