Stage 1: Dilation and Effacement of the Cervix : The cervix opens and thins, which allows for vaginal delivery. The first stage of labor is further broken down into three phases; learn more about these below.
Stage 2: Pushing and Birth : At this stage, your cervix is fully dilated, and your baby descends down the birth canal. Eventually, your health care provider will encourage you to start pushing and deliver your little one! Cervical effacement and dilation happens in the first stage of labor, which can be further broken down into three phases: the early phase, the active phase, and the transition phase.
During this phase, the cervix dilates three or four centimeters. The time between contractions ranges from five minutes to 30 minutes, and they last around seconds each.
The active phase is characterized by contractions that are more intense and frequent, coming every three to five minutes. Labor pain may radiate around the abdomen, back, and thighs. Your cervix will also dilate from around four to seven centimeters. First-time moms experience active labor for around three to six hours; it generally lasts one to three hours for subsequent pregnancies.
Moms-to-be can expect intense contractions during the transition phase—and possibly nausea, pelvic pressure, shakiness, and fatigue as well. Your cervix will finish effacing and dilating to the full 10 centimeters. This phase lasts anywhere from 10 minutes to two hours. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, 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. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Cervical Effacement and Dilatation. Top of the page. Cervical Effacement and Dilatation. Topic Overview Effacement and dilatation allow a baby to be born through the birth canal.
Effacement As the baby's head drops down into the pelvis, it pushes against the cervix. Dilatation After the cervix begins to efface, it will also start to open. Credits Current as of: October 8, You're only 20 percent away from being fully effaced at percent, which is when you're ready to deliver. Your cervix is preparing for delivery by providing an opening from the uterus to the birth canal — unblocking the path to your baby's exit route.
Beginning in your ninth month of pregnancy, your practitioner will look for clues that labor is getting closer, palpating your abdomen and giving you an internal exam to check your cervix. In addition to seeing if baby's dropped , she's confirming whether your cervix has dilated and effaced and if it's begun to soften and move toward the front of the vagina — another indication that labor is getting closer.
Keep in mind, it's not a problem if your baby hasn't dropped just yet; a vaginal delivery is still definitely possible. Based on these factors, she'll likely make an educated guess as to when you'll deliver. But don't go racing to the hospital just yet if that guess is "soon.
As the cervix continues to thin and open, the "cork" of mucus that seals the opening of the cervix , otherwise known as the mucous plug, becomes dislodged. You may or may not notice it happen, and it can occur anywhere from a couple of weeks to hours before labor starts. Then, a few days to 24 hours before delivery day, you'll notice bloody show as the capillaries in your cervix begin to rupture, tinting the vaginal mucus pink or streaking it with blood. When labor contractions get progressively stronger and don't go away even when you change positions, you'll know it's finally show time!
Throughout this process, your cervix will keep on effacing and dilating. In early labor — those days to possibly weeks before it's time to go to the hospital — your cervix will dilate up to 6 cm; by active labor it will increase to about 7 to 8 cm. Full cervical dilation — when your cervix measures 10 cm — occurs at the end of the transitional phase, the last of the three phases of labor. Once this happens, it's time to start pushing your baby out. Not a thing: Your body is in charge here.
Once your doctor gives you that estimate for baby's arrival, just keep an eye out for other signs of labor so you'll know and be prepared when it's time to go to the hospital.
Occasionally if labor stalls or if you have certain risk factors, your practitioner may decide that there's a reason to induce labor and will take steps to move the process along. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
0コメント