Dilation/Effacement Question?

It varies greatly depending on the woman and the child.

1st pregnancy my wife was 70% effaced and 1cm for 3 weeks and had to eventually be induced.

2nd pregnancy she was only 60% effaced and 2cm for less than a day and went into labor, with our son being born that night.

The doctor said it all depends. If it's your first pregnancy, it will likely be a week or more. If it is not the first, it will be any day.

1 cm isn't bad considering you are only at 36 weeks. I was only a "stretchy" 1 cm up until I got into the hospital and was started on labor inducing drugs because I was 11 days overdue. So the dilation part can change and increase pretty drastically. 70% effacement is very good! You just might go early!! Yay for you! :)

It doens't mean anything either way. You might go into labor tomorrow (though hopefully not...), or you might have another 6 weeks. Being dilated/effaced before labor begins means nothing.

Yes, you need to be 10cm dilated and 100% effaced...and the sooner your all the way effaced, the sooner you will dilate. Good luck and congrats!

it means baby is coming very soon , and hopefully it is going to be a natural labor not a c section.

Good luck