What does effaced mean with regards to antenatal care?
The cervix dialates during the course of labor. This is measured
in centimeters across (from 1 centimeter to 10 which is completely
dialated.) In addition to opening up (dilatation), the cervix also
thins out (effaces) this is measure in percentage from 10% to 100%
effaced. As labor progresses, the uterus enlongates and the
cervical tissue is drawn up into the body of the uterus, similar to
the forskin of a penis being incorporated into the shaft during an
errection. following a routine labor vaginal exam, the MD might
state: : "she's 3-4/40% and -2." this means 3-4 centimeters in
dilatation, 40% effaced (and the presenting part of the fetus is 2
centimeters above the ischial spine which describes how far down
the baby has come)