Childbirth

What is Effacement?

To understand what effacement really is you must first understand the purpose of the cervix and cervix mucous.

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that joins with the vagina. It is kind of the shape of a cylinder and only a portion of it can be seen during a medical examine. The cervix mucous is a type of mucousy substance that protects the cervix and uterus from infection. The mucous becomes thin when your eggs are ready for fertilization; this allows the sperm to pass through the cervix. Oral contraceptives work to keep the cervix mucous from thinning so the sperm cannot pass through and unite with your ready eggs. During your pregnancy, the cervix mucous completely blocks the cervix with a special antibacterial mucous plug. This mucous plug again protects against all kinds of infection and bacteria from entering the cervix and aids in protecting the baby.

Effacement is when the cervix or mucous begins to thin. This is a normal part of the birthing process. The cervix will begin to stretch and you will start losing portions of the mucous plug. Normal this is the onset of early labor. This can happen anytime during the last month of pregnancy if this is your first baby. If you begin to notice a mucousy or bloody discharge prior to 37 weeks into your pregnancy, you should contact your doctor immediately. It could be a sign of pre-mature labor and delivery.

The way in which effacement is determined is by percentages. Your cervix is about 1 inch or so thick. You will not notice when effacement begins however, your doctor will tell you things like you are at 25 percent effacement. This means that your cervix has thinned about 25 percent of what it needs to be before it is time to give birth.

During early labor is when this effacement begins. Once you are at a 100 percent effacement you will be dilating and the birth of your new baby is close. Braxton Hicks contractions are normal during this time and also mild contractions that begin to become more intense and lasting longer can begin. This is the beginning of active labor.