Time for the dumbest FTM question yet...

jessilynnwilliams · September 2012

Sorry, please deal with my stupidity tonight!

But... what causes effacement? I know they say things like pineapple, sperm, etc. cause it, but when it happens naturally on it's own, what causes it?

Contractions?

Like I said, sorry for the stupidity!

LBoogeyBride · September 2012

Not a dumb question! I'm sitting here waiting for the answer as well!

churst23 · September 2012

oh good ? i want to know as well....

ChrisG83 · September 2012

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.

MadamePresident · September 2012

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.

lsson12 · September 2012

It's when your cervix gets thinner and ripens.

beeb11285 · September 2012

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.

nurseynightnight · October 2012

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...

nurseynightnight · October 2012

And prostaglandin release helps Effacement. That is why sperm helps some as does membrane stripping. It releases prostaglandins.

LorMor · October 2012

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.

RHeaton4021 · October 2012

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."

Britt1406 · October 2012

I actually thought contractions (or BH) are what caused it, could be wrong though. I know they are what cause dialation.

queenie521 · October 2012

rachelmichelle1:
Gnomes.

:P
Or magic.
I have no idea. But if it's gnomes, bring 'em on any time LO is ready!

I want me some gnomes too!

jessilynnwilliams · October 2012

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!

tatercater · October 2012

queenie521:
rachelmichelle1:

Gnomes.

:P

Or magic.

I have no idea. But if it's gnomes, bring 'em on any time LO is ready!

I want me some gnomes too!

I am going to buy a labor gnome at lunch today.

Time for the dumbest FTM question yet...

Re: Time for the dumbest FTM question yet...

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