Uhhh all I know is that it's just what your body does. It's like your body just knows what to do. I can't really find what actually causes it except it just happens.
so its basically just your cervix getting softer to prepare for labor? How can that really be measured. Its half as soft as is was? That seems so subjective.
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This is the only thing I've found... "As the baby's head drops down into the pelvis,it pushes against the cervix and causes the cervix to relax and thin out, or efface." I don't think it is a dumb question either... That is why none of us know.
BFP 2/10/2012! Due Date: 10/15/2012! Baby Boy Born 10/11/12! (Not on purpose)
Effacement is very subjective. The first 2knuckles of your finger would represent "thick" or 0 effaced. 1 knuckle would be 50 and so on. Most nurses use thick, 50, 75, then 80,90 and 100 for measuring. You don't hear a lot of 25 or 40, etc...
If you're asking what causes labour to start, they don't actually know yet - some research says that it comes from a hormone from the baby being ready - which sets off the labour hormones in the mom. Other research says that it comes from the mom's body releasing the hormones, which then sets the baby's hormones off.
I don't think Contractions causes it.. I haven't had any contractions yet but I'm 60% effaced. However when they told me that this picture kind of helped me understand a bit where I am at..
"During the first stage of labor, the cervix opens (dilates) and thins
out (effaces) to allow the baby to move into the birth canal. In figures
A and B, the cervix is tightly closed. In figure C, the cervix is 60
percent effaced and 1 to 2 cm dilated. In figure D, the cervix is 90
percent effaced and 4 to 5 cm dilated. The cervix must be 100 percent
effaced and 10 centimeters dilated before a vaginal delivery."
Re: Time for the dumbest FTM question yet...
oh good ? i want to know as well....
I don't think it is a dumb question either... That is why none of us know.
BFP 2/10/2012!
Due Date: 10/15/2012!
Baby Boy Born 10/11/12! (Not on purpose)
If you're asking what causes labour to start, they don't actually know yet - some research says that it comes from a hormone from the baby being ready - which sets off the labour hormones in the mom. Other research says that it comes from the mom's body releasing the hormones, which then sets the baby's hormones off.
I don't think Contractions causes it.. I haven't had any contractions yet but I'm 60% effaced. However when they told me that this picture kind of helped me understand a bit where I am at..
"During the first stage of labor, the cervix opens (dilates) and thins out (effaces) to allow the baby to move into the birth canal. In figures A and B, the cervix is tightly closed. In figure C, the cervix is 60 percent effaced and 1 to 2 cm dilated. In figure D, the cervix is 90 percent effaced and 4 to 5 cm dilated. The cervix must be 100 percent effaced and 10 centimeters dilated before a vaginal delivery."
I want me some gnomes too!
Thanks for all the replies Ladies!!
I'm REALLY glad to hear I wasn't the only one who didn't know! I just assumed it was common knowledge!
So, from some of the answers, I'm assuming it's hormonal then?
Once again, thanks a ton!
I am going to buy a labor gnome at lunch today.