I’m 37 weeks and 2cm dilated. How long until labor starts?

Once you're 36 or 37 weeks along, your OB provider will likely begin checking your cervix at your prenatal appointments to see if there's any progression or change as the pregnancy gets closer to the end. And ideally, in the days to weeks leading up to the delivery of the baby, the cervix will begin to "ripen" (that's an actual medical term that we use), and it's caused by the release of hormones called prostaglandins that act on the cervix and cause it to thin out, move forward in the woman's pelvis, and actually soften in consistency, and the woman might actually dilate a little bit too. And then later on after the woman starts having regular and intense contractions, a ripe cervix should respond to those intense contractions by dilating or opening up. And the true definition of labor is cervical dilation from hour to hour.

So in other words, lets say that the ripening got your cervix to 1 1/2 centimeters, and then you start having regular and intense contractions, and you change from 1 1/2 to 2, to 2 1/2, to 3, to 4, to 5, to 6, to 7, and 8, and 9, and 10 - that's when you're in labor. But it's possible to have a lot of contractions and your cervix may not be changing as a result of those contractions, and you get sent home from the hospital. That's actually very normal too, and there's no way to know if your cervix is dilating as a result of your contractions without going in and being checked out. And it's never a wasted trip. You don't ever have to worry about taking "the walk of shame" (which I've heard a lot of people call it), because that trip helps you to know what's going on and gives you experience so you know when to come in again in the future.

So you had a specific question about your cervical exam when your doctor checked you, and you want to know how long it's going to be until labor starts. And really, no matter what your cervical exam is, whether you were 1 when the doctor checked you or whether you were 5, there really is no good way to tell. There are women who can walk around at 5 centimeters for weeks. And then there are women who are 1 centimeter in the doctor's office in the morning when they go for their appointment and they end up delivering their baby later that night. So really, the best sign of labor you have is regular and intense contractions, so if you are over 37 weeks and you begin contracting every 45 minutes, let it go on for about an hour or 2 as long as you're not having any vaginal bleeding, you're feeling your baby move in between contractions, and you don't feel like your water is broken. And then once you've been contracting that regularly for a couple of hours, then go to the hospital and see if your cervix is changing as a result of those contractions.

[EmoPunkScreamoRock]

I had my cervix checked at 35 weeks and it didn’t hurt at all. Everybody is different.

[thatmellowmama]

I was 39+5 weeks, no dialation or effacement, yet my water broke. Was admitted. Always go and get checked!

[FerPimJim]

This video is so helpful for us. For future moms/parents it would be nice to have common symptoms based on the dilation chart.

[queenelizabee]

every time i call these doctors, they rush me off the phone...that's why i'm on youtube in the first place.

[nexusfairy]

37 weeks tomor. 2cm 75% effaced. No contractions yet but lots of cervix pressure. (She could feel his head wiggling) and also a ton of pelvic pain. I hope this isn't something that'll drag out forever.

[umo]

No one tells you how the doctor checks if you’re dilating! I’m traumatized from this experience 😭

[anarchist_parable]

So glad my doctor isn't constantly doing pelvic exams. Everything is so sore down there. Honestly, they don't need to constantly poke at your already overworked lady parts. You'll know when you're in labor. Such useless discomfort

[koriethegiraffe]

i got checked at 35 weeks and dialated to 2 so they sent me to the hospital and it turned out i was just dehydrated so they gave me fluids and my contractions slowed down and now im 37 weeks and im still the same.

[MakeupByApril]

Got checked at 33 weeks and I was 1cm
Haven't changed at all since. I get checked again next week at 37 weeks

[theroyalslay]

35 weeks 4cm 80% effaced and negative 2 stationed and was just sent home too 🤷🏽‍♀️

[JuukezeBarbie]

Wish these platforms of info were available so easily when I was expecting my first child atleast now I can be readily prepared much better for my grandkids arrivals thanks to this wonderful information what a God send

[Cj]

37 weeks now, doctor checked and said I haven't dialated yet but my cervix is thinning 💗 pretty soon my little one arrives

[Scribblepig]

Now 38 weeks 1 day and I’m dilated at 2cm. Second baby...

[suzannecermy]

At 35 weeks appointment, my doctor just listened to heartbeat, and measured my belly

[ohuniee]

bled and went to the hospital and they didn’t even checked if i was dilating

[raytayboogie]

I’m 36 weeks, checked on 7.6.21 and determined 1 cm dilated … and have had no contractions yet

[humantalitycounseling]

There's so medical reason to check your cervix. Just make the woman worry about something that doesn't even matter. Ladies don't even knownits not necessary. Why would my doctor check me every week? No reason sorry.

[carlacorbett]

I'm dilated 2.75 mm what doctor say told me yesterday

[jannapatricia]

I'm 38 weeks today, when i was on 37 weeks i was 1cm and now i dont know what cm am i.

[NezoJourneys]

35 weeks 4 days - 3cm dilated and 70% effaced 😭 how long until I’m going into labor. I’m having small contractions. I got checked today and they definitely said I’m contracting. They said I could go home though. Doctor also said baby is okay and healthy to come out at anytime 😍 i was given the steroids weeks ago for lung development.