24/02/2025
The cervix plays a crucial role in the delivery of a baby. During pregnancy, it remains closed and firm to keep the baby secure in the uterus. As labor approaches, the cervix undergoes several changes:
1. **Effacement**: The cervix begins to thin out and shorten. This process is known as effacement and is measured in percentages. 0% means the cervix is not thinned at all, while 100% means it is completely thinned out.
2. **Dilation**: The cervix opens to allow the baby to pass through. Dilation is measured in centimeters from 0 to 10. Full dilation at 10 centimeters is necessary for the baby to move from the uterus into the birth canal.
3. **Positioning and Softening**: The cervix moves from a posterior (back) position to an anterior (front) position and becomes softer to facilitate the baby's passage through the birth canal.
These processes are often assisted by contractions and the hormonal changes associated with labor. Once the cervix is fully effaced and dilated, the baby can be delivered through the birth canal.
