Cervical effacement happens when yourcervixgets thinner, softer, and shorter to prepare for childbirth.
The cervix is the long, narrow opening to the uterus.
During pregnancy, it’s long and thick.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
As pregnancy comes to an end, and the body prepares for labor and delivery, the cervix ripens.
This article describes what effacement is, what it feels like, and how to address any complications.
Many people have no signs or symptoms.
Possible signs of effacement include:
What Role Does Effacement Play in Labor?
Effacement is a critical factor inlaborand delivery.
Effacement is measured in percentages from 0 to 100.
Regularlabor contractionsput pressure on the cervix, leading to effacement and dilation.
During labor, the cervix dilates from 0 to 10 centimeters.
Measuring Effacement
Effacement is measured by your healthcare provider.
you’re able to expect them to start checking your effacement at about 36 weeks of pregnancy.
An effacement check will likely feel like a quickpelvic exam.
Your healthcare provider can check both effacement and dilation at the same time.
Its important to note that there is no precise way to determine your level of effacement.
Your healthcare provider estimates the percentage based on what they feel.
For this reason, an effacement measure may vary from healthcare provider to healthcare provider.
Can I Measure My Own Effacement?
Because effacement is measured by a healthcare providers best estimate, it is difficult to measure your own effacement.
In addition to positioning challenges, most of us would not know what we were feeling for.
Its best to talk with your healthcare provider and have an experienced professional determine how effaced your cervix is.
Complications
When effacement does not progress normally at the end of pregnancy, possible complications can arise.
Treatment will depend on how far along into pregnancy you are and if you are experiencing any other complications.
Your healthcare provider may recommendcerclage, a surgery to stitch the cervix closed until the end of pregnancy.
When this occurs, labor cannot progress.
Pregnancies that go beyond 41 to 42 weeks have an increased risk of serious complications.
The effacement process is unique to each pregnant person.
It can be a slow process that happens over weeks or progress as quickly as a matter of hours.
Effacement is usually faster in those who have given birth in the past.
The cervix is the opening to the uterus and usually remains long and thick until the end of pregnancy.
Effacement is measured in percentages from 0 to 100 by a healthcare provider.
When effacement occurs too early or late in pregnancy, complications can arise.
A Word From Verywell
Effacement is one sign that your body is ready for labor and birth.
It is an exciting change that means you will hopefully meet your baby soon.
Effacement can be a long process.
It is possible that effacement can occur weeks before going into active labor.
Natural therapies and home remedies have not been found to be effective.
During effacement, you may experience new symptoms or not notice any physical changes at all.
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American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Labor induction.
