How long can your cervix be soft before labor?
The cervix can be dilated to 1 centimeter for weeks before the beginning of labor. This extent of dilation only signals that the cervix is starting to prepare for labor. Most pregnant women spend some time wondering when they will go into labor, especially as the due date draws near. Does a soft cervix mean labor is near? Thinning of the cervix (effacement)Before labor, the cervix is typically 3.5 to 4 centimeters long.