Being 4 cm dilated typically means early active labor. The length of time to progress further varies widely but commonly, dilation progresses at about 1 cm per hour during active labor. More specifically:
- From 3 to 6 cm dilation is often considered early active labor and may last several hours with contractions becoming stronger and closer together.
- Once past 4 cm, the cervix usually dilates about 1 cm every 1 to 2 hours, but this can be slower for first-time mothers and faster for subsequent births.
- Some women may remain at 4 cm for hours or even days before labor progresses further, while others may dilate more quickly within a few hours.
In summary, if one is currently 4 cm dilated, it can take anywhere from a few hours to longer depending on individual factors, but the average pace would be around 1 cm dilation per hour as labor intensifies.
