Effacement, Dilation and Station
Around your 37th week of pregnancy your doctor or midwife will begin checking your cervix for effacement, dilation and station. Many first time as well as seasoned moms aren’t sure what this means. If reports of “one centimeter, 25%, -2″ leave you feeling dazed and confused, this explanation of effacement, dilation and station will keep you in the know at your next check up.
Effacement
Prior to pregnancy and into much of the third trimester your cervix is long and thick. As labor nears it begins to shorten and thin out. This action is referred to as effacement.
Effacement is generally measured in percentages by doctors and midwives. When you have an exam your provider will tell you that it is anywhere from 0% (not effaced at all) to 100% (completely effaced and thin). When your cervix is completely effaced it becomes part of the uterine wall and your mucus plug is released, allowing the baby to pass through.
Dilation
Your cervix should stay tight and closed with no dilation until late into your third trimester. This keeps bacteria away from your precious cargo. As you get closer to delivery the mouth of the cervix opens and widens, allowing your baby to pass through. This is measured in centimeters. For most of your pregnancy it should be 0 centimeters, opening to 10 centimeters when it’s time deliver. As the cervix dilates, some people describe cramping and pressure, similar to what you would feel during menstruation. Yay for labor pains!
If you begin dilating in the second trimester or at a rapid rate before the last month of your pregnancy it can be a sign of premature labor. If this is the case your doctor or midwife will advise you on what to do.
Station
When your provider tells you about your baby’s station, she is referring to how far down your baby’s head has come into your pelvis. If your baby has dropped, but has not yet settled into your pelvis to begin his or her decent, it is measured in centimeters as a negative station. This negative measurement goes from -3 to -1. Once your baby has settled into your pelvis, but before he starts his descent to the birth canal, it is referred to as a zero (0) station. Once your baby starts heading towards the cervix, it is referred to as a positive station from 1 to 3. During this time it is likely that you will feel an increase of pressure and pain in your pelvic bone and vaginal area. Yay again for labor!
It’s good for a mom-to-be to know where her baby is positioned and how her body is cooperating in the weeks leading up to delivery. Some doctors will check but not relay this information unless you ask. If you aren’t told, or if you are not offered a cervical check, don’t be shy … ask away!
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April 15th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
i just went to the doctor and i thought i was pregrant and he told no i wasnt but he said my cervix was thick and i had some scarring on my womb and he told me i was fixing to go threw memopause ok my question is what does it mean when your cervix is thick and i went for a papsmear i am just wondering becasue i stomach is bloated and my breasts are sore pleaase tell me what is going on
April 12th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
So today I went and saw my doc I’m 39weeks and one day pregant and I’m one cenmeters dilated and she said that I’m 80 percent and my cervix is thinned out and she said that I’m going to get induced on Friday if I don’t have her on Thursday the 18 she will induce me on Friday moring what’s this mean
March 2nd, 2013 at 9:29 am
@ qaseem:
You have your stages of labor mixed up. Stages of labor are as follows:
1st stage of labor begins with contractions AND cervical dilatation. 1st stage of labor continues until FULL cervical dilatation (10 cm).
2nd stage of labor is from FULL cervical dilatation to delivery of the baby.
3rd stage of labor is from delivery of baby to delivery of placenta.
January 15th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
kerry dilatation and effacement are different though related..dilatation comes aftr full effacement…actually dilatation is an indication of true labor where the 1st stage of labor is from dilatation from 0cm to 4 cm…and second stage of labor is from 4cm to full dilatation..which is 10cm…dilatation is just the widening of the cervix…..as in, its diameter…
December 2nd, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Hi all. Can anyone help? I had a sweep 3 days ago and was told im100% effaced does that mean I’m dilated? Plus had a lot of pain on and off since nothing is sticking though..
November 4th, 2012 at 6:59 am
Im 40 weeks n two days and the only thing I have got is back ache and stomach pains but when will I go into labour? its my first pregnancy so I hope im not waiting too long. I have eaten a realllllyyy hot curry, tried sex a few times a day and hot baths but I just cant seem to bring the labour on.. if anyone has any advice for me. Please let me know because it is getting me down now.
September 21st, 2012 at 9:44 pm
@ michele
with this being your third child you could remain the same for a couple more wks and than again you go into active labor tomorrow it really all depends on how active you are gravity is your best friend right now to move the child into the pelvis to be able to completely eface and dilate. take your other children to the park and pertake on the fun swing your heart out as this has alot to do with gravity and will push him down also if you can go for a swim.
good luck congrats
August 22nd, 2012 at 12:56 pm
I am 36 weeks and 6 days today. Monday I was 3 centimeters dialated and 75% effaced. Which on last Thursday I was 1 1/2 centimeters dialated n 50% effaced so I also lost my mucus plug then too dose that mean my 3rd baby is comming soon???
May 20th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
i am now 37weeks and 1day. last wednesday i was 1cm dilated and have been since the wednesday before last. all my doctor has told me was that i was thin and nothing more. i havent had contractions,that ive noticed. but i often feel like i am about to bust but when i go to the restroom i only have a few drips come out and they are usually clear… i have been told that it is possible for your water to leak…..should i be concerned? and when your water leaks how does it feel and does it have a distinct look or smell that i would notice?
i also have back problems already and often have pains…. would it be possible for me to have back labor and not know it?
February 28th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Sorry I’ve been looking every where to try and figure out what the Midwife told me and what it means. Im 37wks today. When my Midwife checked me she said I was stationed at a 0 and I’m in between 2-3cms dialated and 60% effaced. Last time she checked me I was 1-2cms 50% effaced and the baby was stationed at -1 and that was a week and a half a ago. Does this mean labor is coming soon? With my son I didn’t do anything until I went into labor so I’m not sure what all of this means….
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:43 pm
i am 39 weeks today the babys head is all the way down im 1cm dialated and 90% thinned out. But i dont understand when my cervix is 100% thinned out is that when i will go into labor? Please help..
February 21st, 2012 at 12:12 am
to:250 quanisha,
I know castor oil can be bad for your baby, If you r having the fever, head ace and nausea r signs to call your doctor. after having 3 kids and one almost here, I can tell you what has helped me has been to squat.. and relax the body when ever i have a braxton hick or contraction holding on to someone’s neck to let loose, this really helps dialate. Please be careful with what people tell u to drink or take..