Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Pregnant woman holding apple in one hand and touching belly with other hand Tetra Images/Getty Images In preparation for the birth ...

Dilation and effacement are your body's way of getting ready for labor – your cervix gradually opens (dilates) and thins out (effaces) to help your baby make that grand entrance. This process can ...

During labor, the cervix changes from a tightly closed entrance to a fully open exit for the baby. This is known as dilation. Looking at a cervix dilation chart can help people to understand what’s ...

Only then can you bring your baby into the world. Cervical dilation sounds pretty intense, but if you are in labor, it's going to happen. The question is, how do you know if you're dilated and ready ...

Glucose tests, regular blood draws, cervical checks – the joys of routine healthcare during pregnancy truly never cease. That last one, though? You may not even have to do it. Here's what to know ...

Cervical effacement refers to the shortening and thinning of the cervix. It is part of the process that helps the cervix prepare for a vaginal delivery. The cervix connects the lower portion of the ...

In preparation for the birth of your baby, your cervix effaces (thins and stretches) and dilates (opens) so your baby can fit through the birth canal. This cervical ripening can begin days or even ...