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Childbirth/dilation and effacement
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Question
I am currently 33 weeks pregnant and just had a pelvic exam at my last appointment, the doctor said I am 1 cm dilated and my cervix is 1.5 cm what does 1.5 cm mean in terms of percentage of effacement? does this mean i will have an early baby?
Early dilation/effacement do not necessarily mean that your baby will be early. If his numbers are correct at 1.5cm (usually doctors measure cervical length during manual exams in inches, not cm), then you would be about 50% effaced. If he meant 1.5 inches, not cm, then you would not be effaced at all yet. Women can, and often are, dilated/effaced for weeks, or sometimes even months, before their baby arrives. What early dilation/effacement can mean is that since your body is already getting ready for labor, that you have less progress to make once true labor begins, so your overall labor time could be shortened.
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Answers by Expert:
Catherine Beier MS CBE
Expertise
I can provide evidence-based information and current research findings concerning childbirth and pregnancy. My specializations include natural childbirth, pregnancy and birth interventions, fetal positioning, labor induction, choosing a care provider, midwives, homebirth, unassisted birth, natural pain relief, medications in pregnancy and birth, informed consent, understanding the risks and benefits of childbirth choices, doulas, waterbirth, childbirth methods, childbirth education classes, cesarean section, and VBAC.
Experience
I have been a childbirth educator, mother, author, public speaker, researcher, and birth advocate for the past 9 years. I am also the author of Giving Birth Naturally, a site dedicated to natural childbirth and pregnancy information. I publish evidence-based articles on pregnancy, childbirth, newborn care, and post-partum care. I'm also a mother of three children, two daughters and one son all born naturally. To learn more about what normal birth looks like, view the natural childbirth video of my son being born at home unassisted.
Publications
My book, Birth Outside the Box, was published in 2007.
Education/Credentials
I hold a Master's degree in communication disorders with an emphasis in child development. I am also an independent childbirth educator.
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