can someone please explain what the term effaced means?

TIA :)

Re: can someone please explain what the term effaced means?

I looked it up and here is what I found What is effacement?
Effacement is the process by which the cervix prepares for delivery. After the baby has engaged in the pelvis, it gradually drops closer to the cervix; the cervix gradually softens, shortens and becomes thinner. You may hear phrases like "ripens," or "cervical thinning" which refer to effacement.

How is effacement measured?
Effacement is measured in percentages. For example, your health care provider may tell you that you are effaced 50%, which means you are half way to being completely effaced. When you are 100% effaced or completely effaced, your cervix is paper-thin and labor is right around the corner.

How will I know if and when I am effaced?
In your final weeks of pregnancy your health care provider will routinely check for effacement, and as soon as you arrive at your birth location, you will be checked for effacement. If you are a first time mom, your cervix will usually efface before it dilates. If you are a second time mom, your cervix will usually dilate before effacement.

Re: can someone please explain what the term effaced means?

thanks! i went for my first internal today and my dr said i had a soft cervix. i don't know why I didnt ask him what that means when i was there..but anyway when I came home and googled soft cervix people were talking about being 50% efface, 80 % effaced. My dr didn't mention anything about being effaced.