After about 37 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor or midwife will probably begin to consistently check for what’s called dilation and effacement of your cervix. Often the measurements of these things can be quite confusing, and you get frustrated when your nurse gives you a bunch of numbers and percentages that mean diddly squat to you.
To start from the basics, your cervix for the first 2 trimesters is long and thick. Around the time of labor it begins to shorten and become thinner. Doctors call this “effacement”. Effacement refers to your cervix changing in size and shape in preparation for the arrival of your baby. As your cervix effaces, the plug that seals the uterus is released, again, in preparation for labor. This is otherwise known as your mucus plug.
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Effacement is given a measurement by your doctor to describe how far along it is in its process. This number will be anywhere between 0% and 100%; 0 being no effacement, and 100 being completely effaced. When the cervix is completely effaced, it is part of your uterine wall and totally out of the way, creating a clear passage for your baby to fly down the highway of life!
Now then, dilation happens late in your third trimester, obviously, to prepare for labor. Before you’re ready to give birth, the cervix is tightly closed to hold the baby in. The mouth of the cervix opens during dilation, making room for the baby to pass through. Your dilation is measured in centimeters. During your entire pregnancy you’re at 0 centimeters because the cervix is completely closed. The cervix stretches open to a generous 10 centimeters to give birth. There is the natural cramping and pressure as your cervix dilates.
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A sure sign of premature labor is premature dilation of the cervix. This means that your body is making way for the release of the baby before its full term has passed. Your doctor or midwife will always advise you about the best solution if this is the case.
Knowing the terminology of birthing is one of the most proactive things you can do as a new mother. Knowledge is power, and the more you know going into that delivery room, the more at ease you’ll be when you begin to hear a lot of different people spouting out terminology that greatly has significance for your health and the health of your child.
Effacement and dilation are understood through measurements. Know what different measurements mean; what’s high and what’s low. That way, when they’re screaming out your measurements you know exactly what’s going on with your body at all times.
Then, the day will come when you’re fully effaced, and dilated at 10cm, and absolutely sure that you’re about to bring a child into the world….any minute now!
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