Cervical effacement and dilation
Effacement (thinning)
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)
slide 2 of 2
slide 2 of 2, Dilation (opening),
At the same time, the cervix also begins to open (dilate).
Current as of: May 1, 2025
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
