when does your cervix start to dilate during pregnancy
Effacement means that the cervix stretches and gets thinner. Dilatation means that the cervix opens. As labor nears, the cervix may begin to thin or stretch (efface) and open (dilate) to prepare for the passage of the baby through the birth canal (vagina).How fast the cervix thins and opens varies from woman to woman. In some women, the cervix may start to efface and dilate slowly over a period of weeks.A first-time mother often will not dilate until active labor begins. Late in your pregnancy, your health professional may manually check (wearing sterile gloves) how much your cervix has effaced and dilated.During labor, contractions in your uterus open (dilate) your cervix and help move the baby into position to be born.ate in your pregnancy, your health professional may manually check (wearing sterile gloves) how much your cervix has effaced and dilated. During labor, contractions in your uterus open (dilate) your cervix and help move the baby into position to be born.