Due March 4, 80% effaced and 2 cm dilated.?

Question

What does this mean? My family says that it means that I could go into labor anytime. My mom doesn't even give me 2 weeks, and my sister in law thinks I will go before the week is over. How long do you think it could be? Have been having a lot of Braxton Hicks.
Doctor says that the head needs to come down more. Am I able to do this by being active or does the baby do that on his own? Any info would help. Thanks.

Answer 1

Effacement is the shortening, or thinning, of the cervix before or during early labor. Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina. The mucus may be tinged with blood and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show (or simply "show").

As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is followed by cervical dilation.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effacement

General guidelines for cervical dilation:

Early Labor: 0-3 centimeters
Active Labor: 4-7 centimeters
Transition: 8-10 centimeters
Complete: 10 centimeters. Expulsion of the fetus takes place shortly after this stage is reached (although the mother does not always push right away.)
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_dilation

Answer 2

Pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. If this is your first baby, it wouldn't be uncommon for it to last 41 and a half weeks (without artificial induction). Remember that due dates are not set in stone. They are estimates and can sometimes be off by as much as 4-5 days unless you were tracking your cycles and are fairly certain of the day you ovulated. Although dilation and effacement are signs that your body is preparing for labor, when you actually go into labor will vary. Some women may go for a couple of weeks dilated to 2cm and even go over their due date. Others may have no dilation or effacement, yet go into labor and have the baby all on the same day. It really depends on the woman and on the baby.
Braxton Hicks contractions are very common at this stage and may even become uncomfortable at times. They are working to get your uterus ready for labor and that might be what's causing some of the dilation and effacement. This is a good thing.
When your doctor says the head needs to come down, he/she is probably referring to engagement of the baby's head in the pelvis. This can happen any time in the third trimester, but this may not happen until labor actually begins. Everyone is different.
There are a lot of old wive's tales about what you can do to speed things along, but really the baby will come when he/she is ready. Walking is never a bad idea towards the end of the pregnancy (and all through it) as gravity should be working with you as you walk. Be sure you are also getting the rest you need. When your day comes, you want to be sure you are well rested for the work of labor and pushing the baby out.

Answer 3

You could go into labor at any time because, for one thing, it's time! You could go for frequent walks, if that seems to increase the frequency for the BH contractions. If nothing else, it'll keep you busy while you anxiously wait. The contractions will help bring the head down. My second son was due 3/11 and was born 2/13/99 (TODAY's his birthday!). Just before he was born I was 2 cm and not made much progress at my last appointment and then suddenly I had my first contraction at 4:30am and he was born at 6:26am...When I got to the hospital I was already 8 cm after only about 45 minutes. So, what I'm saying is, you never know. It could be today, it could be March 4th. Or 11th! LOL I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's so variable. Good luck with your new baby!!!

Answer 4

I think you can be 80% effaced 2cm for a while. Your doctor should know for sure.

I had a lot of Braxton Hicks and my doctor said that was nothing to worry about...she said I might just be doing to much and I needed to relax and rest more. Which did help.

As far as the baby's head moving down more...that will happen naturally. You do not need to do anything. The baby will come when it's ready!!

Congratulations!

Answer 5

I had my daughter in December. I went in the hospital Dec.22 and cause of contractions and they told me that I was dilated 1 cm. They wouldnt keep me till I was at a 4 but they gave me medicine to help me sleep through the night, which didnt work. I went up ther again later that night and I was at a 2. Then at 6 the next morning Dec.23 I went into the hospital and was at a 4 so they went ahead and gave me a epidural . I got to enjoy the epidural for 10 minutes at the most, because once they gave me that epidural for some reason I dilated from 4 to 10 in 10-15 minutes. It was crazy! If you start having contractions every 5 minutes then that's when your actualy in labor. Every1 is different with the dilating..but it could happen in an hour, a day, a week, a month...never know. It;ll more then likely happen n the next day or cuple days tho. Good luk

Answer 6

4 cm dilated 80 effaced

Answer 7

Being a mother of 3, 2 of which had me in labor for 3-6 weeks after being dilated to 2-5 cm, I will tell you what people told me. Now I don't know if these things work or if it was finally time but it made me feel better to at least try to help things move along. 1.walk (will help move baby down)
2.have sex (might put you into labor)
3.drink Castor oil (will cause diarrhea and get you pushing right)
4. drink Castor oil and OJ (will cause diarrhea and get you pushing right)
5.squat and bounce(will help baby move down)
Now like I said they may work or they may just be old wives tales to keep woman sane while trying to get the pregnancy over with.

Answer 8

You could go anytime or you could be this way for 2 weeks. It's really hard to say. The baby should move into position on it's own but you can help by walking.

Good Luck and Congrats!!

Answer 9

Good luck and congrats!! You are on your way, but remember babies can be stubborn! They come when they are ready. I was 70% effaced and 1cm in late September and due date was not til Nov 3rd and induced on 10-16-01 and was 90% effaced and 2cm when they started the drip. The nurse had to stretch me to 3cm and fib and say I was 4cm to get me an epidural. So it can go really fast or really really slow. I wish you all the luck!!!!!

Answer 10

Start walking this happened to me I was having contractions I was 2 cm they send me home I started doing laps around the block and by 4 am I was in labor! Best of luck to you and Congratulations!