What exactly is effacement?
Dear Valerie, A thinning cervix (effacing) indicates that the lower part of the uterus is preparing for birth. It stretches out and facilitates the dilatation process. Cervical effacement, although it is a very subjective assessment, can be determined by your doctor during an internal examination. It is usually measured in percentages or fractions, such as 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent or completely effaced (tissue paper thin) at 100 percent. Because a thin cervix dilates more easily, it is best to start labour with effacement already completed or nearly so. Primigravidas (first time mothers) usually start this process during the last month. Any practice contractions you have been experiencing do this. Much of early labour is spent effacing before the active dilatation of the cervix begins in earnest. I hope this answers your questions about effacement.
