Being 2 cm dilated indicates early labor or a cervix beginning to open, but how much longer labor will take can vary widely. Typically, dilation progresses slowly in early labor, averaging about 1 cm per hour once active labor starts. Some women remain around 2 cm dilated for days or weeks without delivering, while for others labor progresses rapidly from 2 cm to delivery within hours. In first-time pregnancies, it can take many hours (sometimes 8-18 hours or more) to progress from early dilation to fully dilated (10 cm), when pushing and delivery happen. For subsequent pregnancies, dilation may progress faster. Active labor usually begins around 4-6 cm dilation, with dilation then occurring more predictably, roughly 1 cm per hour or about 2 cm every 2 hours. Since labor length varies greatly among individuals, if someone is 2 cm dilated but not yet in active labor, it could be hours or even days until delivery. Once contractions become regular and stronger, dilation tends to speed up. In summary, being 2 cm dilated means labor might still be a few hours to days away, with more rapid progression expected once active labor begins around 4-6 cm dilation.