80% effaced and 3cm dilated... what does this mean?

Question

I went to the doctors today and they told me that Im 80% effaced and 3 cm dilated... what does this mean? Does that mean that I'm gonna have the baby soon? Also, are there things I can do to speed things up? Im really excited now.

Answer 1

Congratulations! You will be going into labor very soon!
I had seven natural childbirths myself, and was a midwife as well.
I would recommend you clean your house, put up some casseroles and stuff in the freezer, and get as much sleep as you possible can!
Forget about 'speeding things up"--- That baby has its own schedule and time to be born. You should just be relishing every minute of these last few days of pregnancy. Your life will soon be completely changed forever!
Motherhood is wonderful-- but so is RIGHT NOW! cuddle with your husband, take a warm bubble bath, see a movie--- In a few days baby will come first 100% of the time!!! So enjoy a little "me/us" time this last weekend.
Best of luck! I'd do it all over again--- I've never regretted a minute of being a Mom!

Answer 2

With all honesty, at 36 weeks I dilated to 3cm and 75% effaced with intense contractions for 8 hours straight. When they stopped and there was no more progression, I was sent home. My doctor swore I was going to have him that day. That was almost 3 weeks ago and I'm still the same. I still get painful contractions everyday but are inconsistent and have diarrhea every morning. Doctors can "predict" it's going to happen but in the end, it's all in those little hands when they decide to come :) it's hard to be patient, but until you're water breaks or your contractions are becoming more intense every 3-5 minutes, who knows when it will actually happen! Best of luck :)

Answer 3

80% effaced means your cervix is thinning out which is great, and I hope labor comes soon. But unfortunately only time will tell. I have known people who walked around at a 4, for weeks, and had to be induced finally. So I think this is very exciting progress, but it may still be a little while. You can try having sex to help, the prostaglandins in sperm help with this whole process. If your dilation and effacement have happened rather quickly though, you could be in labor sooner than if you have made gradual progress. Good luck, I hope labor will come soon!

Answer 4

Effaced is the thinning of the cervix, Dialated is the opening... You could be going soon, or you could be hanging in a few more weeks.... either way you are really close to having that baby in your arms!

There are things that you can do to speed things alog, but they aren't guaranteed, and some can be potentially dangerous. The safest thing to do is walking, but not so much that you wear yourself out. Just enough that you're moving around. And if you haven't had your "nesting" burst of energy yet, and you all of the sudden get the urge to clean everything in sight... resist as much as possible (you'll need that energy!).

Congratulations!

Answer 5

It means you are almost done...you will be meeting your baby probably very soon.

To speed it up have lots and lots of sex....there are certain hormones in the sperm that at the end of pregnancy can induce labor. Good luck and congrats!!! you are gonna be a mommy soon!!!

Answer 6

You are in the home stretch. 3cm isn't enough yet but you are getting there. 80% effaced means your cervix is thinning out and dropping. Good Luck !!!!!!!

Answer 7

You could have been 3 cm for weeks already.

I would ask your doctor to sweep your membranes and do lots of walking. Those are about the only things I can think of to move things along.

Answer 8

soon is a realative term......you less time to wait than you already have been waiting. They want yo to be 100% effaced an at least 10cm Dialated

Answer 9

It means you will be having your baby soon! Having sex can speed it up. Good luck!

Answer 10

Yes, you will be welcoming a new baby very soon !!!!!congrats and I hope everything goes well.