Expert: Catherine Beier MS CBE - 11/10/2008

Question
Hi,

I am in my last week(40th week of pregnancy). My due date is on Nov 16th and LMP is 9th Feb 08.

My doctor performed an internal exam and adviced my cervix has not effaced yet. She has not specified any complication I have that prevents the effacement. Till when can I wait for my cervix to start effacing and is it advisable to wait?

Answer
Uma,

Effacement, especially in a first pregnancy, does not have to begin before labor does.


The average length of a first-time pregnancy worldwide is 41 weeks, 1 day, so there is no reason for concern that you aren't effaced yet.


Barring any other complications, the best advice is to wait until your body is ready.  There is no research to support routine induction before 42 weeks when everything is going well in your pregnancy.


The cervix typically starts to efface when the baby's head descends lower into your pelvis and puts pressure on the cervix as well as when you experience contractions in the last few weeks of pregnancy.


So, it's entirely possible that your body just isn't ready yet.  This doesn't mean that anything is wrong.  You could go into labor and start effacing very quickly or it could take another week or so, but just because you're not effacing yet does not mean that an induction is necessary or that you should be worried.


To learn more about cervix effacement visit http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/cervix-effacement.html


Best,
Catherine