Which term describes the cervix thinning or shortening during labor?

Which term describes the cervix thinning or shortening during labor?

• A. Moves forward
• B. Ripens
• C. Effaces
• D. Dilates

Answer: (C)

Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix during labor. As contractions intensify, the cervix becomes thinner and shorter, which is described as percent effacement (0% to 100%). This process often occurs before or alongside dilation, which is the cervix opening from closed to fully dilated (10 cm). Cervical ripening refers to softening and readiness of the cervix to dilate, a related but distinct change. The term about the cervix “moving forward” isn’t used to describe thinning. So the term that describes thinning or shortening is effacement.

Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix during labor. As contractions intensify, the cervix becomes thinner and shorter, which is described as percent effacement (0% to 100%). This process often occurs before or alongside dilation, which is the cervix opening from closed to fully dilated (10 cm). Cervical ripening refers to softening and readiness of the cervix to dilate, a related but distinct change. The term about the cervix “moving forward” isn’t used to describe thinning. So the term that describes thinning or shortening is effacement.