What does station mean in labor?

What does station mean in labor?

Station is another term used to indicate the progress of labor, and it refers to the position of the baby’s “presenting part” in relation to the ischial spines in the pelvis. A zero station means the presenting part (usually the baby’s head) is level with the spines.

Does 100 effaced mean labor is soon?

When it is 100 percent effaced, it is “paper-thin.” Effacement can happen over days before labor starts. Or, it can happen over hours as labor progresses. With a first labor, it can take quite a while for the cervix to completely efface.

How long can you be 100 effaced?

Some women may reach 100% effacement within a few hours. For others, cervical effacement may occur slowly over several weeks. The same applies to dilation. It is not uncommon for a woman to be 1–2 cm dilated a couple of weeks before going into labor.

What is the difference between dilation station station and effacement?

Measured in centimeters, dilation describes how widened the cervix has become. Effacement. Measured in percentage, effacement is a measurement of how thin and elongated the cervix is. Station. Station is the measurement of the baby relative to the ischial spines.

Is it normal to be 2cm dilated and 60% effaced?

It’s not uncommon to see someone be 2-3cm dilated and 50-60% effaced when labor starts.” Once your cervix is stretched and softened, it begins to open, or dilate, so that your baby can pass through into the vagina to be born.

What is the normal range of dilation for cervix?

Cervical effacement and dilation. In figures A and B, the cervix is tightly closed. In figure C, the cervix is 60 percent effaced and 1 to 2 cm dilated. In figure D, the cervix is 90 percent effaced and 4 to 5 cm dilated. The cervix must be 100 percent effaced and 10 centimeters dilated before a vaginal delivery.

What does it mean when your doctor says You’re 3 cm dilated?

If you’re pregnant and your doctor tells you you’re dilated between 1 and 3 centimeters, they might also let you know this might be your last prenatal appointment, says Fayling. Together, effacement and dilation are pretty solid signs that labor is near.

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