Effacement refers to which cervical change?

Effacement refers to which cervical change?

• A. Dilation
• B. Thinning and shortening of the cervix
• C. Engagement
• D. Descent

Answer: (B)

Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix. As labor progresses, the cervix becomes shorter and thinner, described as a percentage (0% to 100%). This change often happens before or along with dilation (opening of the cervix) as the birth canal prepares for delivery. Dilation refers to how open the cervix is, measured in centimeters from 0 to 10. Engagement describes the baby’s presenting part moving into the pelvic inlet, and descent is the baby moving further down the birth canal. So the thinning and shortening of the cervix specifically defines effacement.

Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix. As labor progresses, the cervix becomes shorter and thinner, described as a percentage (0% to 100%). This change often happens before or along with dilation (opening of the cervix) as the birth canal prepares for delivery. Dilation refers to how open the cervix is, measured in centimeters from 0 to 10. Engagement describes the baby’s presenting part moving into the pelvic inlet, and descent is the baby moving further down the birth canal. So the thinning and shortening of the cervix specifically defines effacement.