Dilating....It means something right!?

Question

Okay I know there are a lot of posts out there on this subject that say "dilation doesn't really mean anything" but does it really not count for anything???? To me it still seems the start of SOMETHING. My cervix is still closed and I feel like it i would've heard at least "1 cm dilated" I would've been happy because it would mean at least my body has started doing even just a bit. Someone change my mind with facts, plzzzz 😅

Answer

I mean, it obviously means your body is doing something which is great and all. But most of the time it doesn’t mean anything significant as far as for labor because you can go from not dilated to full blown labor in a matter of hours or you can be dilated to a 4 for several weeks. 
A lot of women opt out of cervical checks because of that reason, that way they don’t get fixated on “well I’m only a fingertip,” because that can change so quickly for some women!

Answer

My sister hadn’t had any and went into labor that night had baby by 6am next day

Answer

It kinda helped me kick my butt in gear at least 🤷🏻‍♀️. I had my first at 35 weeks, not expected. At my 34 week appointment I asked for a cervical check just because of my history and my OB was surprised because I was 3 cm and 80% effaced. Obviously I can walk around like that for weeks, but she did say with my history that a better goal will be 37 weeks for me. So it at least helped me jumpstart nesting again to get crap done. Worst case scenario we finish everything then just wait on baby till 40 weeks 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

When people say “it doesn’t mean anything” they mean “cervical dilation is not an indication of imminent spontaneous labor.” Some people dilate slowly over a long period, some do not dilate at all before active labor. Some dilate some and then have long pauses before more. It does indicate that something is happening- you’re dilating. And it can be useful to know in some circumstances- like if you have an induction coming soon, but mostly it’s a detail that isn’t correlated with the onset of labor. But lots of (most) people find it useful to know, so don’t feel bad. If it gets you excited, cool.

Answer

It really doesn’t mean anything I have a friend who was not dilated at all at 36 or 37 weeks no signs or labor and went into full blown labor at 37+6 weeks and had a water birth. She definitely thought she was going to 40 weeks . I’ve been 1cm since 32 weeks I’m 37 now 1.5cm and no baby . I was 4cm with my first and water broke but no contractions so it really doesn’t mean anything

Answer

I never dilated with my first. My water broke. Still didn’t dilate. I was given pitocin.

Answer

To me it just makes me happy cause when I go into to actually labor at least I’m not starting at a 0 like I did with my son. I had a very long labor with him, hoping my body is going to do a little better this time 🤷🏻‍♀️

Dilating....It means something right!?

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