How long were you dialated/effaced before delivery?

[TaraD.]

So, as of yesterday, I was 2cm dialated and 50% effaced. I know that this may not necessarily mean that I will be having this baby anytime soon though. How long were you dialated/effaced before actually going into labor?

Also, my doctor stripped my membranes real quick yesterday - almost before I even knew what she was doing. What are the benefits or drawbacks of this?

[amaayeh]

With my first dd, I was 2 cm 70% at 36 weeks and had her at exactly 40 weeks. I never had my membranes stripped, though.

This time I was 2 cm, 60% at 35.4 weeks and I'm still sitting here at 39 weeks.

I don't know too much about stripping membranes. I'll let someone else answer that for you!

[Luv2Skydive]

I was 3cm/80% for 3 weeks with both my sons. DS1 was born 9 days after his EDD and DS2 came on his EDD.

[Chinese Pistache]

I've been 1 or 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced with my pregnancies a couple of weeks before delivery. This one, I'm not effaced at all, but I'm 1cm. I think with later babies, it means a lot less than it does with the first.

[lovingmommyhood]

I've been dilated 2 cm since about 28 weeks. No sign of baby yet!

[thomlynn]

Originally Posted by amaayeh

With my first dd, I was 2 cm 70% at 36 weeks and had her at exactly 40 weeks. I never had my membranes stripped, though.

Same for me except dd was one day past my edd.

[Jennisee]

With my DD, I was only a fingertip dilated and not effaced at all when I went into labor. With DS, I was checked a few days before he was born and was 1 cm and 50% effaced.

[AmyMay]

With my daughter, I was dilated to 6cm at 36 weeks and opted to be induced at 39 weeks because I didn't want a baby en route to the hospital.

It took Alllll Day for her to come.

Just goes to show that dilation don't mean squat. If I would have let her come on her own, though, I'm sure it would have been a fast delivery.

Right now, well, as of last Tuesday, I was 3cm and 80% effaced and baby was at -1 station. I got back again tomorrow, so we'll see what I'm doing now.

[Ironica]

Never dilated and barely effaced at all with DS before induction. This time... maybe effaced some, but hard to tell since I'm still way high up. Still closed.

As for the membrane stripping... recent studies have shown it doesn't really have a statistically significant effect on getting labor started. It can be quite painful to have done, can cause cramping/bleeding, and there's a risk of rupturing your bag of waters when it happens. So, no real benefit and some drawbacks ranging from discomfort to big oops that increases risk of infection, among other things.