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
Thinning of the cervix
The lower part of the uterus is called the cervix. Before labor, the cervix is typically 3.5 to 4 centimeters long. As early labor begins, the cervix starts to soften, shorten and thin. That process is called effacement. At this point in labor, you might feel mild contractions that come and go. Or you may feel nothing at all.
Effacement often is talked about in percentages. At 0% effacement, the cervix is at least 2 centimeters long. That means it's still very thick. The cervix must be completely thinned out — 100% effaced — before a vaginal delivery.
