"50% effaced but still thick"

[JackiePed]

Huh? What does THAT mean? I know it doesn't mean much, labor can happen any time or can wait a month or more... been there. But I'm interested this time in understanding all that's going on with my body. I never really paid much attention before, aside from dilation numbers.

So... at doc a few days ago, she did an internal exam and told me

1.) "You're 1-2 centimeters dilated"
2.) "I can feel baby's head. But he's not SUPER low..."
3.) "You're 50% effaced, VERY soft, but still thick,"

So... this gets confusing. Doesn't effacement refer to to the thickness/thinness? So what does it mean to be half-effaced, but 'still thick'?

And... if she can feel baby's head during an internal, but he's not "SUPER low"... then approx. what 'station' might that be?

 

[lynnikins]

ok sounds similar to me yesterday hun effacement happens as the cervix widens from the top down so about 50% of the lenght of your cervix is left and thick but 1-2 cm means she can get a finger and a bit in but sounds like the internal opening of the cervix is still closed like mine was yesterday, my LO had lifted his head out of my pelvis abit too which is common with subsequent children

 

[robinator]

I was under the understanding that effacement had to do with the length of the cervix. So, it's halfway to having a paper-thin cervix. 'Still thick' could refer to the fact that its not all the way thin yet. Saying you are 50% effaced and still thick is one of those things that is basically saying the same thing twice.

 

[JackiePed]

Robin-- That's kinda' what I thought... or the whole "glass half-full/empty" thing...

Like, hearing "You're 50% effaced" makes you think, "Woo hoo! Halfway there!"
But then hearing "Still thick" is like a reminder... you still have 50% to go....perhaps that's what she meant?

And Lynn... hm. Now I'm more confused. I thought the doc would tell you you were "still closed" if your 'internal cervix' wasn't dilated at all. No?

All this was so much simpler before I cared to know the details...

 

[robinator]

....and now I'm wondering why I was told what my dilation was at my last appointment, but nothing about effacement! ARGH!!!

 

[JackiePed]

Ha ha.... the relatively useless information we obsess about...
I should have stuck with my earlier resignation, which was that I was going to refuse internal exams this early, because there's no point...they just get you all confused and you go home and Google the crap out of all of it... and reach the same answer which is....

Anything can happen.

Buuuut... I couldn't help but wonder in the back of my mind, "What if she checks me and goes, 'Whoa! You're 5 cm dilated! Baby's a' comin'!"

Silly me...

 

[JackiePed]

....and now I'm wondering why I was told what my dilation was at my last appointment, but nothing about effacement! ARGH!!!

...and p.s... you must be somewhat effaced, or doc wouldn't have been so willing to do your induction this weekend. They say your cervix needs to be 'favorable'... and I believe effacement is part of that mysterrrrrious 'favorable' equation...

 

[robinator]

Aha! You so smarrrrrrt, Jackie!!

 

[NewAtThis13]

That's interesting..I always thought that effaced meant the thickness/thinness too. I guess it does, but you still have 50% left to go? helpful thread! I hope you get to go sooner rather than later-those are good signs regardless!!

 

[JackiePed]

Robin-- I just googled "What's a favorable cervix?" and read that 50% effacement is included in that equation... so you must've been right around 50% is my guess! (eh em, but...still thick... of course...cuzza' that other 50%...)

 

[robinator]

Sweet! And rather thick, I gather. Ahem.