Understanding Cervical Dilation & Effacement: What to Expect During Labor

Question
My doctor told me I was dialated 2 centimeters and 50 percent efacement. My question is How long does it normally take from that point to deliver. My son was a preemie 23 weeks and I was on 17p my last shot was given last friday. And he put me on bedrest until this coming tuesday and said that when I go in on  friday he was going to be more aggressive when he checked my dialtion then monitor me and hopefully i deliver I dont really understand too much of that could you help me out I am at 36 weeks right now and sunday I will hit 37

Answer
Rebecca,

Congratulations on your pregnancy!  

You could carry to full term. I doubt you will, but it is possible. With both my previous pregnancies I was 3 cm dilated and 2 cm dilated for WEEKS prior to delivering.  I was also 100% effaced.  There is no rule or proven law that says once you start dilating you will deliver. So you could have 1 day, 1 week, 3 weeks, etc. to go. It is still unknown.

Considering your history, it is really hard to say when you would go into labor. The shots and bedrest have helped you carry the pregnancy this far; the baby will be in great shape even if you had him/her right now. 36 weeks is a very good pregnancy especially for someone who had such an early preemie before.  You dont have to worry that this baby will have the same problems your preemie did. There is a gigantic difference between a baby at 23 wks and one born at 36 weeks.

I'd say it really could be any time now, but again, the baby comes out when it wants to no matter what the doctors said (my first doctor told me ANY DAY  NOW when I was 3 cm and my daughter was born ONE DAY EARLY. Those 3 weeks killed me because I thought for sure he was right!!!!!)

I am sure the doctor will want you to carry the pregnancy as long as possible. The dilating and effacing just means your body is getting ready. That is great!  it is 2 cm you do not have to do in labor.

Hang in there; it is really unknown when you will have the baby. If you dilate past 4 cm the doctor will probably admit you and induce labor as 4 cm is too dilated to walk around without risk to the baby. Of course if your water breaks, you know what happens.

good luck! You are almost there!
andi