When pregnancy begins, a mucus plug seals the opening of the cervix. This plug will break apart and fall away as dilation progresses. When the plug falls away, it may look like discharge. The color can range from clear to pink, and the plug may be slightly bloody. When labor is about to start, the membrane surrounding the baby can break and fall away. The water breaking is one of the most commonly recognized signs of labor. It can result in a sudden gush of liquid, or only a trickle.
Some women may not notice because there is so little fluid. The medical community calls this lightening, and it can occur anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks before active labor begins.
Contact the doctor about any signs of labor, such as regular contractions, cramping, or the water breaking. Depending on the extent of dilation, the doctor may recommend resting in bed or avoiding strenuous activity. In a review , researchers studied the outcomes of 82 women admitted to the hospital for preterm labor.
They found that 48 percent of the women who arrived with 0—2 cm of dilation delivered within the first 48 hours of admission. For the women to qualify, they had to be between 24 and 34 weeks pregnant. Though the study was small, it suggests that dilating to 1 cm before the 37th week may be a risk factor for preterm labor. Anyone experiencing signs of labor before the 37th week should speak to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. In most cases, having 1 cm of dilation for a few weeks before delivery will cause no complications.
It does not necessarily mean that a woman will go into labor immediately or even the next day. Dilation is just one of many ways that the body prepares for labor. It alone does not mean that labor is imminent. However, dilating to 1 cm very early in pregnancy can be a sign of preterm labor, and it is important to discuss this with a doctor. When your cervix is completely effaced, it effectively becomes part of the uterine wall, allowing the baby to pass through.
The first stage of labor —which is followed by pushing—is typically divided into three phases known as early, active, and transition. Stage one is complete when the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters. While being told you're dilated toward the end of your pregnancy is exciting, keep in mind that it doesn't necessarily mean labor is imminent. You can walk around for weeks with your cervix at 1 cm, or go from zero to 10 cm over the course of one day.
Talk to your practitioner if you have any questions or concerns about this important precursor to your baby's birth. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Cervical insufficiency and cervical cerclage. J Obstet Gynaecol Canada. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.
These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data. We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Measuring Cervical Dilation. Those last weeks make a huge difference with acid reflux, jaundice, and how baby latches on to nipple. He didn't come til 39 weeks when I was induced. You can be dilated and nothing happen.
So being dilated now isn't a big deal unless you are more than a 4. She did say that she's had people dilate early and still go to 41 weeks even or have to be induced. I guess she was just concerned about me being a little dilated this early. Idk really. But I guess having a soft cervix is good. Something about its less likely I'll need to be induced and I won't need my cervix softened since its already softened.
I still don't know everything about it obviously. She was concerned about me being dilated and my cervix being softened but then I'm hearing that its not that big of a concern. Hopefully all this means is I'll go into labor without needing to be induced. And hopefully I don't go before 37 weeks. But out of curiosity, if a baby is born before 40 weeks do they have to go to the nicu? See all replies 2. I checked last week when I was 33 weeks.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Practice Bulletin No. Reaffirmed Simhan HN, et al. Inhibition of acute preterm birth. Robinson JN, et al. Preterm birth: Risk factors, interventions for risk reduction, and maternal prognosis.
DeCherney AH, et al. Late pregnancy complications. Resnik R, et al. Preterm labor and birth. Elsevier; Frequently asked questions: Labor, delivery, and postpartum care FAQ How to tell when labor begins. Wick MJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. Norwitz ER. Progesterone supplementation to reduce the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Conde-Agudelo A, et al. Vaginal progesterone is as effective as cervical cerclage to prevent preterm birth in women with a singleton gestation, previous spontaneous preterm birth, and a short cervix: Updated indirect comparison meta-analysis.
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