If you are pondering “when will I go into labor?” you are most probably very near to your estimated due date. Especially, if you have passed you EDD and are nearing you 40th pregnancy week, you might not only wonder “when will I go into labor” but be saying “I want to go into labor!”

What the Numbers of Dilation and Effacement Really Tell You?
 
How far you are dilated and effaced will give an idea how near your labor would be. Additionally, hearing how well you are dilated and effaced gives you a sense of progress with your nearing labor. However, if you are NOT dilated, or effaced, rest assured that you will eventually give birth to your baby! Some pregnant women dilate to 4 cm and are 100% effaced for a full month before they go into labor. On the other hand some women, who were not dilated at all, can go into full labor and give birth within hours. Each body is build a little bit differently. Therefore our bodies work a little bit differently in pregnancy, labor and delivery, although the end result is the same – giving birth to a baby.
 
There is no magic hour or day that coincides with dilation and effacement. Some pregnant women dilate quite silently without feeling contractions. Other expectant mothers have Braxton Hicks contractions for weeks before their labor starts. This is why vaginal checks are helpful in determining how much your cervix has dilated and how far you have effaced. However, the internal examination only gives you an idea of what is the situation on the moment of the examination. It won’t tell you exactly when you will be in labor.
 
When You Should Go to the Delivery Hospital?
 
It is quite a common belief that if you are dilated to a certain number, you will automatically be admitted to the hospital – even if they you not having contractions. There are some hospitals that won’t let you leave if you have dilated to at a certain number, on the other hand there are hospitals that will send home although you were dilated up to 5, 6 and even 7 cm but are you are not having contractions. Many hospitals feel quite comfortable sending a woman home who is not contracting at is 4 and even 5 cm dilated. The reason for this is that you can be dilated quite a bit, and still not go into labor very soon.
 
And the Answer to Your Question “When Will I Go Into Labor?” Is …
 
So if you are dilated, and want to know when you will go into labor, there is simply no guessing. If you are NOT dilated, there is no guessing. Neither clearly indicates going early, or going late. Most OB’s, midwives, nurses, doulas and childbirth educators love to help you out with your labor and delivery questions. The truth is that if someone could give a precise answer to your question “when will I go into labor?” they were very wealthy!