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Cervical effacement and dilation

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Cervical effacement and dilation

Effacement (thinning)

Head of fetus down near cervix before birth, with detail of cervix not effaced and detail of effaced or thinned cervix as delivery nears.
slide 1 of 2
slide 1 of 2, Effacement (thinning),

As labor nears, the fetus's head drops down into the pelvis and pushes against the cervix. The cervix begins to thin (efface), sometimes over a few weeks.

Dilation (opening)

Head of fetus down near cervix before birth, with detail of cervix closed and detail of cervix open (dilated) as delivery nears.
slide 2 of 2
slide 2 of 2, Dilation (opening),

At the same time, the cervix also begins to open (dilate).

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.