This question was submitted anonymously by real people looking for real advice. Please be mindful with your responses. No bashing or derogatory comments will be tolerated.
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For me it was lower back pain, dealt with my whole pregnancy but laying down would at least ease the discomfort, when I was at the end of my pregnancy my back pain would not go away even laying down no position was comfortable. By my fourth pregnancy I got up in the morning showered and told the father its time to go to the hospital, and had my baby after an hour of arriving. All pregnancies are different for women and all four of mine were never the same in any sense. It never hurts to call your doctor, midwife, or triage nurse for advise or concern too. Just to be safe.
Unfortunately your cervix doesn’t really tell you anything before labor. I’m a doula and I don’t recommend getting your cervix checked until you’re at least in labor (unless of course there’s a true medical reason) because it doesn’t tell you anything and causes a lot of women to just become frustrated with their body.
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Your getting there. Sometimes it can be soft for weeks before you actually go. Watch for the mucus plug to come and when that happens you know your getting closer. Your body gets ready weeks in advance with little things like your hips loosening up and you start processing the hormone changes that start labor, your breasts may leak some clear fluid, you may get some headaches or nausea. Or you may not notice any of that and your water breaks lol I’ve done it three times and it was different every time.
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There is no measuring how close to labor you are. It’s all, unfortunately, a waiting game. I am on baby #4 currently and I have never gotten a good estimate no matter the cervix effacement or dilation. But I have heard that a soft cervix is more important than the dilation in terms of progression. A woman can walk around 5 cm dilated for weeks, but with a hard cervix nothing will happen. So good luck!! 
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Very close to dilation but I was dilated to a 4 for 3wks and had my dr strip my cervix. Hurt like he’ll but helped further me along. He was 8lbs 11 oz and so hard to carry those last few weeks. Every pregnancy is different but I think it’ll be awhile for you
There are 4 stages of labor. The first is the longest, it is dilation and softening of the cervix. All tho this is the start of labouring, it isnt considered "active labor " . All 3 of my pregnancies I started dilating and softening cervix around 27 weeks,( high pregnancies) because dilation and cervix softening is considered early labor, I was on restricted activity or bed rest until 34 weeks, along with the shots to develop baby lungs in all of my pregnancies.
Some women have been known to be dilated to a 2 or 3 for weeks. Some labor goes slow others go fast. If your water breaks or mucus plug comes out then go to the hospital
Run some water and let it run. If you’re in labor your water will break. Someone shared that advice with me when I was in labor and it actually worked. I should have asked first are you experiencing any pain. If so then do the water trick. Good luck!
I’m a mom of 5 children and unfortunately how dilated I was didn’t mean I was in labor. With my first I was 4cm dilated but I was not in labor, my second and 3rd children I was only 3cm and started going into labor because my water broke, and my 4th and 5th children I was 5cm dilated but not in labor. I started contacting 2 days after my cervix was checked and was finally in labor and with my last child I was checked on a Friday and was 5cm and I did not go into labor for 5 days . You could be dilated at the same thing for weeks
You can be completely effaced and not dilate. You can be 3 cm or more and not be in labor. Your cervix means nothing unless you’re having contractions. Effacing is a step in the right direction though but it can be tomorrow or it can be weeks away.
I asked my daughter about this. She’s a labor and delivery nurse, and she says a soft cervix does not mean you’ll go into labor soon. She said your body is preparing itself for labor, but it may not happen for a days, a week, or even longer. She told me that, basically, your body is preparing itself for labor pretty much your entire pregnancy, such as having Braxton Hix contractions. A softened cervix is another way.
My water never broke but did discharge my mucus plug but both my boys were stubborn and I labored with my first 24 hours with my second only 7 hours. Every one is different. My boys are now 53 and our oldest will be 60 in July
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When it starts to soften is like a banana beginning to ripen. The riper it gets the easier that peel comes off so the riper your cervix gets the easier it is to open
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My 1st: I was in Labour for 24hrs and was only dilated 4cm then had an epidural within the next 4 hours I dilated the other 6cm and delivered. My 2nd: labour for 1 hour arrived at the hospital within 25mins emergency c.section, my 3rd: labour for 11 hours still only 4cm dilated ended up with an elected c.section. My water never broke with any of them and they were all 7 days past there due date.
Hard to say. It could be a week or a few hours. Every pregnancy is different even if it’s the same mom.
Everyone is different could still be a while to go.
I was 4cm and 90% effaced for 8 weeks with one baby. Another baby I was at 3cm and 80% effaced from 34 weeks until he finally came at 41 weeks. My other two kids were about the same as well.
My cervix was soft and dilated 1cm for 5 months with my last baby so not necessarily.
Dilation & effacement don’t tell you anything about when labor will happen or how long it will last. All it tells you is what you are in that exact moment. You can even close & go back stations of effacement throughout the end of pregnancy & labor. It’s pointless information unless you just want to know
You may or may not go into labor. Both times I went into labor I was not dilated or effaced.
Cervical checks tell you nothing at all they are pointless if you aren’t high risk for preterm labor so there is no way to even answer that question.
I wouldn’t have a clue, I’d say 50% yes, 50% no…kinda like will it rain or will it be sunny lol good luck hope it happens soon for you. PS how do you know your cervix is soft?
Have sex to stimulate thing.
Im due tomorrow and as of thursday i was dilated at a 2.5 and 60% effaced. Im still not showing any signs of labor. I have only progressed a cm and 10% effacement in 3 weeks. Its all a waiting game unfortunately.
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Cervix is soft and more vascular during pregnancy. Keep your fingers out of there so you don’t introduce bacteria or perforate something
All these labor questions. Is this the same overly anxious person?
How do you know you are not dilated?
If you’re near 40 weeks, you’re close to labor lol
Go for a bike ride then have seen tonight…Couple of days or so…POW!..LOL!
PS…Mom of 5…
Ask ur midwife or doctor
Not necessarily. Sorry.
It could be days or weeks.
How exciting!!! It’ll be soon
Ask your doctor🤦🏻‍♀️
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned.
Why don’t you ask or listen do your doctor!!!
Are you that stupid to need attention from Facebook?
You are not the brightest crayon in the box, are ya
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You could be I’ll he 39 weeks Wednesday and my last appointment on Tuesday I had made.no progress from.when I had preterm labor at 34 weeks I was 1 cm and 25.effaced. but friday I had some spotting and been cramping on and off since then so I’m hoping it’s not to much longer
You may be close but you still might have a lil this was around the time I would do stretches and light excercises to prepare for labor
whays with all the questions on labor go to your dam doctor
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Ask your doctor not Facebook
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How many weeks and are you getting pressure when walking and doing things? x
talk to your Dr . not face book
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Depends on how far you are… i guess
No one can give you a definite answer. These things can happen gradually or super quickly. Every woman’s body reacts differently.
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Can change at any time.
Effacement and dilation mean nothing for labor unless you’re pretty far progressed. You can be effaced/dilated for weeks before actual labor starts OR labor could start in just days. It’s honestly a guessing game until contractions start or water breaks lol
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What Heather said and have you felt to urge to get everything ready, in its place, or clean…nesting basically?
Could be two weeks love
I’m 29 weeks and my cervix is soft. It doesn’t mean labor is near. Even when you start dilating, you could be stuck at 1 or 2 for weeks
I was almost completely effaced and dilated to a three for three weeks before I went into labor
There’s no way of telling… every ones different when it comes to this. You could go into labour today or it could be a few more days/weeks depending on when due date is.
Not necessarily. Mine was & I went two weeks over my due date. 
I sure the hell wasn’t lol
Not unless your pregnant
Nope , u need to dialate
I was 4cm dilated with my son. I had full contractions but we’re only an hour apart and even then I still wasn’t ready… Please don’t ask her internet this stuff… Call your doc or a nurse hotline please!!!
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I’d suggest you ask your doctor that and not the internet
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When did this page turn into a pregnancy and mom group???
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if you are looking for advice on Facebook, send a photo …
only a doctor who examines you can give you an answer.
Good luck , all the Best for you and your baby !
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Who told you ,you were soft,ask them !
How would you even know its soft?
Must be first baby 