vaginal exams really don't tell you much about how far you have to go anyway.
So true Tobily. Ren, I was 3cm dilated for about 3 weeks (my ob did internals at my last few appointments, at my request). When I arrived at hospital I had another internal and was 7cm. DD was born 10 minutes later. Every woman/baby/pregnancy/labour can be so different. How far dilated you are is a good "indication", but that's all I reckon!