When you begin feeling tightening of your uterus in the last several weeks of pregnancy, you may in fact be in the very early phase of labor. As you get closer to your due date you may feel minor cramping with your uterine tightening, and contractions may build stronger as they begin to first soften and then dilate your cervix. As these contractions get stronger and more consistent in early labor you will find that they increase with physical stimulation. Walking or bending over may bring on further contractions instead of inhibit them as might be the case earlier. If you are checked for dilation your doctor or midwife may inform you that you are a certain percentage effaced and a fingertip or more dilated.
Effacement is a term used when measuring the softening of the cervix.
The cervix shortens and softens prior to and simultaneous with dilation. Whether you ask your practitioner to check for dilation at this time is usually your decision. By the time contractions are coming regularly or irregularly, you may want to begin to focus your attention on early labor projects which serve to take your focus away from the labor contractions while you are in between contractions in early labor. Naturally, while you are having contractions, you will need to stop what you are doing and focus your attention inwards. Breathe, breathe, breathe.