Question about Effacement and Dialation

[Lukez_momma]

Last week I was dialated 1 cm and 50% effaced. I had an appt today and I was still 1 cm but now 70%, I don't know if I'm making good progress, or if it's slow or what. Doc was in a big hurry today so she didn't explain anything to me. I dunno what to think.

 

[midwife_online]

Hiya

What gestation are you and how many babies have you had? The cervix is about 3-4cms long in a non-pregnant woman who has never had a baby (primigravida...or primip) and can be a lot shorter on a non-pregnant woman who has had a baby before (multigravida...or multip)...this is known as a multip's os...as the cervix never really goes back to it's original state remains slightly dilated and effeced.

Effacement is the drawing up of the cervix as the lower segment of the uteris starts to thin out. Dilatation is where the cervix starts to open up. The accuracy of vaginal examinations (VEs) depend on who is carrying the proceedure out and whether they are the same person that examined you last time.

What was the reason you were examined?

Kieren