100% effaced--what does this really mean?

[Anonymous]

I just had my first internal today at nearly 37 weeks and was surprised to learn that I'm 100% effaced (and fingertip dilated). Does this mean anything? I know people can walk around for weeks being dilated a couple centimeters. Is the same true of effacement? It's my first child, if that matters.

[Anonymous]

It doesnt mean much - you can walk around effaced for a while and still not go into labor. I am 39.5 weeks and 4cm dilated and 60-70% effaced and I'm still having no contractions.

The one thing it might mean is that your labor will be shorter and/or easier bc for many people, they can be in labor for 12+ hrs just to get to 50% effaced and/or dilated.

[Anonymous]

I'm 39 weeks, 2cm dilated and 80% effaced w/ #2. My midwife said my cervix is "like butter" and that therefore hopefully when labor starts it will go quickly. Since i had a loonnngg labor with my first, I hope that's true!

[Anonymous]

OP here--thanks to both of you for your replies! It had never occurred to me that this could shorten labor, but if that's the case I'll certainly take it.

[Anonymous]

To the OP - I can't remember exactly how effaced I was, but I think it was like 80% effaced and 2-3 cm dilated for a few weeks before labor. I also had frequent Braxton hicks, and had some worries at one point that things might go early.

Didn't happen and I wound up going into labor on my own at 40w1d - and I definitely think it made things go faster. Woke up to the first contraction at 3:30am, figured out it was actually real labor at 4:30, and my daughter was born at 10:30. I'm hoping this means #2 will be quick too.

[Anonymous]

Ok I'm 2cm dialated and 60% effaced. I'm trying to get my Dc. to induce me becuase I have really small hips, and I'm in so much pain I can't walk somtimes or go up or down stares. I have trouble just getting out of bed or sitting for too long. And I'm afraind that if he gets too big then I wont be able to go through a vaginal birth. I really don't want a c-section...Is this good enough reason for my Dc. to say yes? I'm 38wks and 2dys. My due date is Sept. 18th.

[Anonymous]

100% effaced means your cervix has shortened all the way, and fingertip dilated most likely means about 1cm dilated. Hope it keeps moving along quickly for you!

[Anonymous]

I can understand that you want to have your baby soon if you are feeling physically uncomfortable. However, if this is your first baby, and you get induced, you will double your chance of a c section. Here's an article about the recent study that demonstrated this: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65K6DW20100621.

So getting induced in order to avoid a cesarean does not seem like a very good idea, since induction increases the risk of cesarean rather than reducing it.

In addition, some hospitals are now banning elective (eg medically unnecessary) induction before 39 weeks because they are seeing so many complications and NICU admissions for those babies, who are not ready to be born. So I'd think really carefully before asking your doctor to be induced, and I'd be very suspicious of any doctor willing to induce before 39 weeks for no medical reason.

For what it's worth, I am less than five feet tall, weigh less than 100 pound at my pre-pregnancy weight, and gave birth to two children vaginally with very smooth vaginal births. I have small hips and had no problem getting my babies out.

Good luck to you.

Anonymous wrote:Ok I'm 2cm dialated and 60% effaced. I'm trying to get my Dc. to induce me becuase I have really small hips, and I'm in so much pain I can't walk somtimes or go up or down stares. I have trouble just getting out of bed or sitting for too long. And I'm afraind that if he gets too big then I wont be able to go through a vaginal birth. I really don't want a c-section...Is this good enough reason for my Dc. to say yes? I'm 38wks and 2dys. My due date is Sept. 18th.

[Anonymous]

PP again -- that link doesn't work, trying again...

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65K6DW20100621

[Anonymous]

It means you are at risk for a uterine or other type of infection because you have introduced a foreign object into your vag.

But other than that it doesn't mean anything.

Let's cool down on this vaginal checks that lead to panic, unless numbers, and excuses to give you a c-section.

[Anonymous]

I was 100% effaced and fingertips dilated for 4 weeks. Before finally needing a c-section being 4 days late. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

I was 1 cm dilated and 80% effaced at 31 weeks. Baby was born on due date after 10 hours of labor. Was hoping for a much shorter and earlier birth!

[Anonymous]

This question is exactly why all women should be required to take a childbirth class. Not trying to be mean, but that's exactly the type of info you learn in there. I can't imagine going through this with all the crazy new terms and NOT knowing what it means.

[Anonymous]

Flip side, I was 0% effaced and 0% dilated at 4 pm when I had my last ob appointment and deliver a chubby 9 pounder less than 8 hours later...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This question is exactly why all women should be required to take a childbirth class. Not trying to be mean, but that's exactly the type of info you learn in there. I can't imagine going through this with all the crazy new terms and NOT knowing what it means.

I agree. It's a shock that someone can get to 37 weeks and not have taken a class or asked her OB for more detail or read a reputable book on the topic. This is a basic.