The cervix needs to not only open (dilate)
but also soften, for the baby to come out.
The softening is called effacement.
"dilation and effacement work together to
open the cervix to allow the baby to drop
into the vagina. During pregnancy the
cervix lengthens and thickens to protect
the baby. During labor, the cervix
softens and shortens to allow the baby to
pass through. Effacement refers to the
thickness or thinness of your cervix.
Effacement is measured by percentage, with
0% being a thick and hard cervix and 100%
being a very soft thin cervix that is
"gone."
from here:
http:/
/www.Birthingnaturally.Net/birth/progress/
exam.Html
stations...
"station refers to how high the baby's
head, or other presenting part, is in the
pelvis. This information is important
because practitioners need to get a sense
of how far the baby has descended into the
birth canal. Station is determined by
feeling where the baby rests in relation
to the ischial spines, the parts of the
pelvic girdle that protrude slightly in
toward the birth canal and can be felt
inside the vagina by an experienced
examiner.
Station is measured from minus 5 to plus
5. Minus 5 station means the baby is
floating above the pelvis. Zero station
means the baby has dropped or engaged well
into the pelvis and that his head rests
right at the level of the ischial spines.
And plus 5 means the baby's head not only
has come down past the ischial spines, but
also is visible at the opening of the
vagina (also known as crowning). While
the principle is still the same, some
practitioners use a scale of minus 3 to
plus 3 instead of 5."
from here:
http://www.Dr
spock.Com/article/0,1510,6234,00.Html
