Effacement, Dilation and Station
In most pregnancies, at about 37 weeks, your doctor or midwife will begin checking your cervix for effacement, dilation and station. She will then report back to you the results. For first time moms this can be confusing. If you don’t know what effacement, dilation and station are, then when your provider reports that you are, “One centimeter, 25%, -2,” you may feel very confused. Below are explanations of each stage of your body’s preparation for delivering your baby.
Effacement
Prior to pregnancy and in the first and second trimester, as well as 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. As your cervix begins to efface, the plug keeping the entrance to the uterus sealed is released. This is called your mucus plug and it may contain some blood.
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% to 100% which means not effaced at all to completely effaced and thin. When it is completely effaced it becomes a part of the uterine wall, allowing the baby to pass through.
Dilation
Until you are late in your third trimester, your cervix should stay tight and closed with no dilation. Dilation is the process of the mouth of the cervix opening and widening, which allows your baby to pass through. This is measured in centimeters. For most of your pregnancy it should be 0 centimeters. In order to deliver your baby your cervix needs to stretch open to 10 centimeters. As the cervix dilates, some people describe cramping and pressure, similar to what you would feel during menstruation.
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 next.
Station
When your provider tells you about your baby’s station, she is referring to how far down his head has come into your pelvis. If your baby has dropped, but has not yet settled into your pelvis to begin his 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.
It is 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 you but not relay any information to you unless you ask. If you want to know and are not told, or if you are not offered a cervical check, ask your provider to tell you or to check you so that you are aware
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December 29th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
You really make it appear so easy with your presentation however I to find this topic to be actually one thing which I believe I’d never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I’m looking forward on your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!
October 17th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I am 38 weeks pregnant. At my 37 weeks 4 day appointment I was dilated 1 to 2, 50% effaced & at -2, and I still have strong lower back pain and menstrual like cramps in my lower abdoman. I understand what everything means, I just want to meet this little boy so bad and have 0 patience. I guess it’s best for him to bake as long as he can, however, I hurt so bad and I am so miserable. What’s the chances of me going into labor soon?
October 13th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
hi my name is jessica im 38 weeks tomorrow i was just in the hospital for labor last night i am in labor i dilated 2 cent in 3 hrs yesterday so now im 4 cent dilated and 70% effaced but they sent me home cause i have not progressed since last night im still contracting and all that good stuff if anyone has any advice id sure appreciate it.
thanks jessica
August 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 am
Today I am 40 weeks and 3 cm dilated with 75% effacement. This is my first pregnancy and all I can say is that I understand the anxiety. I have an appt tomarrow and hopefully I will hear some good news. Patience is just a virtue I don’t have. I am tired of these backaches and Braxton-Hicks I have been feeling. Tylenol is just not cutting it anymore! I love my little boy I just wish I could see him sooner
July 23rd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
[...] Effacement, Dilation and Station | Pregnancy | Baby, Pregnancy … Dilation Until you are late in your third trimester, your cervix should stay tight and closed with no dilation. … [...]
July 22nd, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Rebekah, I can deff. understand how you feel. I have wanted to do this natually (no induction, drugs, etc). At 36 weeks I was 4 cm. Two weeks later I was 4 cm, 90% effaced and at a +1. I am now at 40 weeks almost 5 cm, 100% effaced and almost at a +2, and hardly any contraction. Isn’t it amazing how every person has a different experience. The doctor has offered to induce me for a few weeks but has been happy to let me try to do this naturally. However, at my last appt. he told me that he highly recommended me to be induced by 41 weeks so I have scheduled that appt. If you are worried about being induced talk to your midwife, she should be able to inform you of your options. My dr told me that they would only use the pitocin until I had started hard labor and then they would stop so I could go natural from there. Good luck to all.
July 11th, 2011 at 11:38 pm
i am 3 cm dialated and 50 % effaced not sure for station they didnt say but i am 39wkks due on july 19th i am so ready for this lil boy to be born my first son was born at 36 wks and 5 days i have been trying ways at home to get him to come but its not working since June 30th i have been having contractions that are close to gether but the doctors keep sending me home and since friday july 8th i have been having them none stop
July 5th, 2011 at 6:35 pm
Hi everyone im 41+5, had my first sweep at 40+4 nothing happend no pain no contractions since, midwife told me i was 5cm and 50% effaced, swore that i would of had my baby by tomorrow ( my next app ) but no sign of him !! wondering what will happen next ?? ive been advised either another sweep or induction, fed up and scared to say the least ! excited to be a mammy though !