Articles
Signs of labor: Know what to expect
Effacement: Thinning of the cervix
Dilation: Opening of the cervix
Increase in vaginal discharge
Nesting: Spurt of energy
Rupture of membranes: Your water breaks
Contractions: When labor pains begin
Content
Thinning of the cervix
Opening of the cervix
Increasing vaginal discharge
Feeling the baby has dropped lower
Water breaking
Contractions
Expect false alarms
Dilation: Opening of the cervix
Increase in vaginal discharge
Nesting: Spurt of energy
Rupture of membranes: Your water breaks
Contractions: When labor pains begin
Content
Thinning of the cervix
Opening of the cervix
Increasing vaginal discharge
Feeling the baby has dropped lower
Water breaking
Contractions
Expect false alarms
Opening of the cervix
Another sign of early labor is the cervix beginning to open. That's called dilation. Dilation is measured in centimeters from zero to 10. At zero there's no dilation. At 10 centimeters, the cervix is fully dilated.
At first, these cervical changes can be very slow. Once you're in active labor — when the cervix is open 6 centimeters or more — expect to dilate more quickly.
