@pierce928916 you can be completely thinned out (effaced) and still not dilate.

My doctor only gave me that number also told me that my cervix is definitely thinning out

@dcb012 if they give you a negative number, that is the position of the baby or how far down the baby has descended (also called the station). because your cervix is funnel shaped, it's possible that you can dilate at the bottom, but still be closed at top. she also didn't specify if they gave her any other numbers.

@patientlyawaitingdalton, not true.... I was a 4 and a -2.

it's basically the position the baby is in. baby's dropping, but you haven't actually started dilating yet

thank you @lovinggunnar that's very helpful

Dilation can't be negative numbers because it already starts at a 0 if your closed. your dr might be talking about the station of baby's head that starts at -3 all the way to a positive 3