Friday, February 09, 2007

3 cm, 70% effaced, -1 station

For those of you not familiar with the terms. Here is some info to help you understand what is going on with me...
Dilation is the width that the cervix is open. Dilation can begin before labor actually starts, or in early labor, and is measured in centimeters. For most deliveries, the cervix needs to dilate from zero (not dilated at all) to 10 centimeters (fully dilated) before pushing can begin and the baby delivered. This range is based on the fact that a full-term baby's head is about 10 centimeters across.

I am 3 cm dilated

Effacement is the shortening, or thinning, of the cervix. Like dilation, it begins before or during early labor. Before effacement takes place, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about 4 centimeters in length. As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which describes a paper-thin cervix.

I am 70% effaced

Station refers to how high the baby's head, or other presenting part, is in the pelvis. This information is important because practitioners need to get a sense of how far the baby has descended into the birth canal. Station is determined by feeling where the baby rests in relation to the ischial spines, the parts of the pelvic girdle that protrude slightly in toward the birth canal and can be felt inside the vagina by an experienced examiner.
Station is measured from minus 5 to plus 5. Minus 5 station means the baby is floating above the pelvis. Zero station means the baby has dropped or engaged well into the pelvis and that his head rests right at the level of the ischial spines. And plus 5 means the baby's head not only has come down past the ischial spines, but also is visible at the opening of the vagina (also known as crowning). While the principle is still the same, some practitioners use a scale of minus 3 to plus 3 instead of 5.

The baby's station is -1.

With all of that being said it could be any time. Who knows? I am doing well and feeling good. Ideally it would be nice if we made through next week, but I am considered full term now so if he comes he should be just fine.

3 comments:

Angie said...

Wait a week? Are you crazy? Have this baby already. So excited for you....

The Quinn Report said...

I think you'll have this baby boy this weekend!!!

I'm going to guess Sunday around 9PM

Lets get a pool going!!!!

Katie said...

Holy crap. I wasn't even 3 cm dilated two hours before giving birth!!!!!!! I am guessing it will be Feb. 12 around 11 p.m.

Are you ready? Do you have a name?