effacement vs. softening. Are they the same?

rachuwrf

My doctor mentioned that your cervix needs to be soft and effaced (or something like that) in order to go into labor. But are they the same thing or different things? If I am 30% effaced, then is my cervix soft?

sourapplemartini

You can be soft without being effaced. Effacement is how thick your cervix is, dilation is how open it is. Before delivery you're 100% effaced. 

rachuwrf

So it can be soft and not effaced--but can it be effaced and not soft? So basically if I am already partially effaced does that mean it's soft too?

Ladiebug710

rachuwrf:

So it can be soft and not effaced--but can it be effaced and not soft? So basically if I am already partially effaced does that mean it's soft too?

It softens before or as it is effacing.  The collagen structure of the cervix breaks down and the water content increases which is what allows it to change.

AprilAngie

Cervical effacement refers to a thinning of the cervix. It is a component of the Bishop score.

It can be expressed as a percent.^[1]

Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug ofmucus. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina. The mucus may be tinged with blood and the passage of the mucus plug is calledbloody show (or simply "show"). As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is accompanied by cervical dilation.

2011Surprise

Awesome defenition, thanks!  So, I'm 37+5 days, .5 dialted and 80% effaced.  That's a good thing b/c dialation can happen quicker, right?