Confused about 50% effaced....

JKTTC1

I've had contractions since 31 weeks and been on medicine. Last Monday my doctor stopped the medicine and I came out of work last Friday. This past weekend I started having bad contractions but wasn't dilated. I went to L&D on Monday after bad contractions and I lost my mucus plug. I was told that I hadn't dilated but his head was right there and thinning out. I went to my check up yesterday with my doctor and I was checked again.....she said 50% effaced and his head was right there ready to go. Suggestions were that baby was ready just try to figure out a way to get him out! So DH and I tried Eggplant Parmesan and sex....well today I lost what looks like the other part of my mucus plug but can this happen??? Does 50% effaced mean there is still part of the plug there and now that I lost it, I might start to finally dilate? I've had contractions and cramps all morning long.

MrsT2008

effacement means the thickness of your cervix.  So your cervix is half as thick has it normally is.  It has nothing to do with the mucous plug.  when you get to 100% effaced it will mean your cervix is basically paper thin.

jmgcoggins

Effacement is the thinning of your cervix. Your cervix is usually 4cm thick (varies between each woman) and since your 50% effaced, your cervix is around 2cm thick (that's if you started out at 4cm). 

You don't just dilate. You have to be 100% effaced, and 10cm to push a baby out. So if your walked around at 4cm dilated, and 0% effaced that could still mean you have awhile until labor progresses. (Example)