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Cervical effacement

Illustration copyright 2001 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

As labor nears, the fetus's head drops down into the pelvis and pushes against the cervix. The cervix begins to thin (efface) and open (dilate), sometimes over a few weeks.

Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Anne Marshall, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated December 19, 2005

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 19, 2005
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