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Childbirth/70%effaced and 2cm dilated

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Expert: - 2/24/2010


Question
I'm 35.5weeks pregnant (first pregnancy) and i went to my doctors appointment on Monday and i was told that i was 70% effaced and about 2cm dilated.  Does anyone know if I'm reach the 40weeks pregnant or am i going to have my baby in a couple of days?

Answer
Hi Marisela,

Is your doctor concerned that the baby is going to come prematurely? If s/he is, I'm sure they've put you on bedrest, etc.  If your doctor isn't concerned, I don't think you need to be concerned that the baby is going to come right now.

You can have dilation and effacement going on for many many weeks before your baby is born.  You may go into labor next week...or next month....or 6 weeks from now.  Dilation and effacement doesn't tell you when you are going to go into labor.

Look at it this way - your body has already gotten some of the work of labor done beforehand.  2 cm down, 8 to go!  

Hang in there!  Those last weeks of pregnancy can be hard as you wait for your body to go into labor - don't let the early dilation fool you into thinking that you are definitely going into labor earlier rather than later.

Sincerely,

Dorothy H, LCCE

Childbirth

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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