What is an expected cervical change in preterm labor?

In preterm labor, one of the critical indicators of impending childbirth is the dilation of the cervix. When a woman is experiencing preterm labor, she may show signs that indicate her body is preparing for delivery before the 37-week mark. Dilation of 2 cm or greater is indeed an expected change during preterm labor because it signifies that the cervix is beginning to open, which is an essential part of the labor process.

A cervical dilation of 2 cm can suggest that the body is transitioning into labor, even though it is occurring earlier than the typical gestational age for delivery. This change is significant as it often prompts further medical evaluation and intervention to manage the preterm labor effectively.

In contrast, cervical effacement refers to the thinning of the cervix, and while it may occur in preterm labor, a 50% effacement alone is not definitive for diagnosing preterm labor. A cervical length of more than 5 cm would be considered normal and not indicative of labor, and the absence of changes would indicate that preterm labor is not occurring. Therefore, the dilation of 2 cm or greater is a more definitive expected change that aligns with the clinical understanding of preterm labor.