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effacement?

kellystookellystoo
in 3rd Trimester

I went to the doctor today...I'm not dialated and 70% effaced...I looked up effacement but I'm not sure I understand it. So I'm 0 centimeters...I understand that means my cervix is not opened and I'm 30% away from being totally effaced...if I go to the doctor next week and am at 0cm but 100% effacement does that mean the baby is coming? Can I be 100% effaced and not go into labor? I'm having a hard time grasping effacment...can someone dumb it down to explain it to me?

TIA!!!

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Re: effacement?

  • KSimone619KSimone619 member

    Your cervix has to thin out (efface) AND dilate (open) to 10 cm. ?Maybe this diagram will help:

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    https://64.143.176.9/library/healthguide/en-us/images/media/medical/hw/nr551477.jpg?

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  • BestsugarBestsugar member
    the way we describe a cervix that has not changed at all is "long, thick, closed".  i always find the image of an elephant trunk useful. the thickness and length are the effacement with the snout opening is the dilation. i know its a weird concept to compare it too, but right now your elephant snout is getting shorter and thinner, and youre on your way to opening up!
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  • Mrs.TeddyMrs.Teddy member

    The effecement is the thinning of the cervix. Lets say its normally 1inch thick (going up thicknesss, not wideness that is dilation) if you are 70% effaced, 70% has thinned out, leaving only 30% more to go.

    You can be 100% effaced & not necessarily go into labour, however it helps to make your cervix more favourable for labour. In my experience with first time mothers the thinning is a lot of work for your body. Once you do go into labour its that much less work yur body has to do. your cervix has to thin before it can completely dilate. When its 100% effaced its as thin as a sheet of paper. 

    I am a L&D nurse, thats how I understand/explain it. Does that help? If you have any more questions just let me know!

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  • kellystookellystoo

    Thanks but can you be 100% effaced & not dialated & go into labor? If you're 100% effaced will the dr enduce? I just don't understand how they work together... 

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  • NoelleHansenNoelleHansen
    I read "effacement" described today as the cervix - which lengthens like a bottle neck during pg - pulls up into the uterus, becoming part of the uterus again and becoming paper thin. That was a good visual for me.
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  • kellystookellystoo

    so confusing, thanks for trying to help. you girls probably all think I'm an idiot...i'm not for most things this is just something that is confusing....the picture helped and so did mrs teddy...thank you

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  • pjchick10pjchick10

    Sorry I can't explain it but am wondering the same thing.  Last Friday I was told I was 1 cm and 70% which didn't make sense to me.  I do remember reading somewhere that effacement often happens before (or faster than) dilating  if it's your first pregnancy but I still don't quite understand what it means for us.

     

    I am hoping for several more cm at my next appt. and am looking forward to reading any explanations you get.

     

    Good Luck!

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  • KSimone619KSimone619 member
    I'm guessing that start to happen somewhat simultaneously....
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  • Mrs.TeddyMrs.Teddy member

    imageNoelleHansen:
    I read "effacement" described today as the cervix - which lengthens like a bottle neck during pg - pulls up into the uterus, becoming part of the uterus again and becoming paper thin. That was a good visual for me.

    I like this description.

    I don't htink the DR would base inducing solely on effeacement. If he was considering inducing for other reasons the fact that you are beginning to efface would mean it is more likely to be succesful (more favourable for induction). Really dilation or effacement prior to labour starting doesn't indicate how soon you will go into labour, or if you will. Just think of it as a head start when labout does begin or you are induced you don't have to start at nothing, your body has started to do the work & get ready already.

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  • logansmommy71logansmommy71
    dilation and effacement 'progress' dont mean the baby is coming. you can go from 0-10 cm in no time at all, or you can sit at 5 cm for a week.
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  • KSimone619KSimone619 member

    I figured out how to post the photo in here, yea!

    This shows full effacement with little dilation...?

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    ?

    image

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