Week 36 - 1cm Dilated!

What's up with baby in week 36: she is preparing for birth. She has moved into the head down position. I can tell because I have noticed more pressure on my bladder and feet kicking me in the ribs.

What's up with mom: sorry if this is gross, but I am happy to report that I am 1 cm dilated. At my doctor's appointment this week, my pelvic exam revealed that my body is getting ready down there for birth. I am also 25% effaced. I learned what thse things mean recently, so I'll share that info with you. Again, sorry if this is gross...think of it like an anatomy and physiology lesson. Dilation referes to how large the opening of the cervix is. For most of the pregnancy, the cervix is not dilated....so it's at zero. As contractions begin (even the Braxton Hicks ones I've been having the last 6 weeks or so) the cervix will feel pressure to open. That starts it down the path of going from zero (not open) to 10. At 10 centimeters dilated, the cervix is open enough for the baby to be pushed out. See my comments on Stage 2 of Labor in week 34. The cervix also goes through a shortening process. The cervix is already a short tunnel between the utereus and the vagina. Effacement is the process of it getting even shorter as the baby pushes down against it. 25% effaced means my cervix is about 1/4 of the way thinned out. When the baby is ready to come, it will be 100% effaced (as short as possible) to allow the baby through. I think it's pretty amazing that the female body is so well equipped to build another person and prepare to bring her into the world without the owner of that body (me!) having to think anything about it.