[ReaganorDean]

At what week will your OB expect you to start to dilate and efface? I've been doing some googling and all I've come up with is several weeks before delivery. What I'm questioning is how much is several? What's common/considered normal?

[OwensMommy25]

With my first I was 2cm 75% effaced at 38 weeks and my midwife was thrilled. I don't really know whats considered normal.

[Erin_79]

I dont know how much effacement I was, but I was dilated 2cm at about 32 weeks, then 3cm, then 4cm... and ended up being induced at 40w, 5d when I was 5-6cm. Sometimes I guess it doesn't mean much lol

[AnnaGr8]

I always dilate early but slowly. I have no clue when or if I am now but I have been effaced since about 15 weeks at least 50% and gone to 75% and then my cervix grew a bit and as of 2 weeks ago just 50% effaced- they do not check/cannot check via ultrasound if I am dilated though. I may be checked next Tuesday.

[Caelen]

Everyone is different and I don't really think they expect progress of any kind until you're 38-40 weeks since that's full term.

I don't know what I was prior to labor. I know when I went into labor and got to the hospital they only said I was at 2cm. They didn't mention effacement.

[*Sharon*]

Originally Posted by Caelen

Everyone is different and I don't really think they expect progress of any kind until you're 38-40 weeks since that's full term.

Right. Everyone is different. But a lot of people, especially with 2nd, 3rd, 4th...babies tend to start to efface and/or dilate earlier. But many people don't dilate of efface much until labor starts. Or only 1cm or so prior to. Whereas others can be 2-3cm dilated or even 4-5 for weeks before baby comes.

But as to when docs expect it. Definitely not until 38 weeks, if even then.

[Hannah-Banana]

My sister in law isn't due until next month (feb 4th) and she's already dilated to 3 1/2 cm and she's 75% effaced. Her doctor is concerned because according to him 'that's too much too early'. That's really all I have to go off in reference to dilation and effacement.

[Banned-mandymc18]

I think at 36 weeks I was 25% effaced and by 39 weeks I was 50% effaced but didn't dilate until I went into labor.