Effacement

[julipickle]

I'm almost 37 weeks and I went to the OB today. He told me I had not dilated at all, but that I was 50% effaced. He also said that the baby's head is very very low. He mentioned that a lot of first time moms (which is me) will thin out before they begin to dilate, and not to be too bummed that I haven't dilated yet and that I'm still moving along. I did hope I would be dilated at least a little bit.

I guess I'm just wondering if this is common for other people, and if they had their babies early when this happened. Also if 50% effacement is very far along for this stage. I just can't wait to meet her, it's been so hard to be patient. Every week is harder. I know I should just suck it up and be glad she'll be here soon.

Thanks!

[fuzzy]

The last 4 weeks are the worst I remember! When I was 36-37w the OB said I was 50% effaced but the baby was high...I was hoping I'd go early too!Un fortunately I don't think that the effacement has that much to do with how soon the baby will come?Now,I'm not 100% sure but I had my son 10 days over his EDD and I was induced:( And I was also 70% effaced and 1.5cm dialated at 40 weeks...The best advice I can give you is relax and try to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy:)Your little bundle of joy will be here soon enough!
Melissa

[lovin3]

Yeah, sorry to say, but it doesn't mean much. With my first, I was 5 days late. I don't remember the exact time frame, but he had been as low as he could go, I had been a majority of the way effaced, and I had been dialated past 2 cm for a few weeks before he finally came. We always joked that he was hanging on my his toes! The good news, however, is that you could be just the opposite, too. Just depends on you and baby. Good luck either way, and I hope that you are able to enjoy the last couple weeks of your pregnancy (I'm almost done with week 38, so I know the anticipation!)

[ktejmommy]

I learned the hard way that losing your plug, effacing or even dialating means labor right away.

I have lost TWO plugs in one pregnancy and dialated 5cm with out ANY signs of labor and showed signs of effacement as early as 30 weeks.

Since you're 37 weeks, you're term, the effacement is normal. Since this is your first your body will start the process earlier than it might with subsequent births, and I hate to say that this effacement doesn't mean you'll go too much earlier than your due date, but it also doesn't mean that you won't get to your due date(and I am smart - If I tell you that you could even go later that EDD - there's a good chance you would ACTUALLY reach through this computer and strangle me ;))

In short, it's normal but doesn't give any kind of timeline in and of it's self.