Dilation, Effacement, Station (Obstetrics - Labor and Delivery)

Full description and additional information at medtwice.com/dilation-effaceme...
Free medical videos at www.MedTwice.com

[@neangnikaheang8343]

I gave a birth to my daughter on Thursday last week. She was born on July 11, 2019 at 3:20pm.

[@saeedaitunes4474]

I’m about to have my third baby and this is the first time I get to understand the terms. Amazing video short and right to the point 👍🏼👍🏼

[@michaelbrysen2589]

Instablaster...

[@morning.coffee4891]

this guys.. did an awesome job explaining.. effacement and station.. !!

[@TheZombiiieGirl]

You did a beautiful job explaining this structure!!

[@alexiasnicole89]

Very informational. I felt like I was in school. Shot, simple and to the point. 😊

[@faithlilis]

oh my these are the numbers a mom needs to be familiar at the hosp. great great info

[@royalkikiking3349]

Thank u for ur videos, you really break things down to simplest terms. My husband loves ur videos

[@SamHoward281]

I like the way you explain or break down this information.

[@cherieheathcott2232]

where was he when I was pregnant with my kids!! he is such a great doctor😉

[@maryonyegasioyem]

Am 33 weeks pregnant and taking my OB class@ nursing school. Very helpful Thanks

[@stephaniepotter5907]

So very helpful! I have watched this video twice now and will be sharing!!!

[@MedTwice]

They make plastic boards with indented circles of various centimeters. Most labor and delivery nurses stations have them, especially at teaching hospitals. You can put your fingers in the plastic indentation to see what 1 cm, 2 cm, etc. feels like. You can also measure your index and middle fingers with a tape measure. Try separating your fingers and measuring the distance on the outside. You can also examine after a more experienced person and ask what they call the dilation.

[@legalfictionnaturalfact3969]

but every woman's body is different. it's not like every woman dilates to exactly 10. that would be a ridiculous claim intended to control the customer instead of assist her. when really, birth almost never needs one iota of assistance. one person measuring can get a WAY different number than another. it's all quite arbitrary, and doesn't tell anything about progress. a real practitioner can tell where the woman's at by her movements, sounds, behaviors.

[@tifflovemyfamily2160]

You explain things so well👌💕 I'm 36wks today🍼👶💕

[@kissofjazz]

this totally helped me understand effacement. i did not get it before, but now i do :) thank you so much for your explanation :)

[@raysengineering786]

Lucid explanation, thanks alot.

[@xhuntaar136]

this video helped me understand a lot thank you sir.. now when my wife goes in for delivery il be acting like a genius 😊

[@seanacameron8940]

Thank you ever so ! Wish I'd had you around for the births of my sons. Will be saving your video for when my sons wives have their own wee bairns. Ta, and take care

[@WhispersRoCloset]

great information

[@neangnikaheang8343]

I'm 40 weeks and 3days now. But I feel nothing, doctor. No contractions or pain.

[@smithjohnosn]

I'm 30wks and 5 days. My cervix is 80% effaced should I worry?

[@kristenbaker2724]

I wish i had a dr like this ❤ him

[@irumgull4887]

Hello sir, plz give me knowledge about CTG scan. how to delight cervix. how to aviod episiotomy.

[@mariamdiong3133]

Hi doctor twice I just watch your video it seem very helpful, but I have one or two questions to ask I'm 40+3 days I still didn't see nothing at all I wonder if my baby is going to be ok in there and since yesterday I'm staring having on and off pain I don't know if it is part of the contractions and is that good for baby to come after their due date?

[@stephannieduran2]

Hello, i have a question, is it normal to have a mix of stomach ach and light cramps on the top of my belly? Im 33 weeks pregnant and this started about 20 minutes ago and it keeps coming on n off every 1-2 minutes, the pain ill say is 4/5- out of 10

[@ShadesofSage]

Excellent video sir! Thanks for sharing ☺️👍🏿!

[@wtfiswrongwithyou2880]

I loved how informative this was! But why did they choose that as the thumbnail?? 😂

[@afreenkhan560]

Sir, when we do a PV during last trimester around 38 weeks, we sometimes feel the head at a lower position what is that position approximately ...in relation to spine process

[@XSweetxcheeksX1]

Good to know! Thanks Doc!

[@pompommania]

Thanks you so much. Such a great and clear explanation!

[@christineeef]

Thank you doctor 💗💗

[@naomiehle]

Really helpful :). Thank you

[@salishak8052]

+medtwice i came across a gelly like thing i think its a mucus plug does my labor may occur so soon. i am 38 weeks now

[@stephannieduran2]

Ok, thank u very much for the info, i wont check again and ill leave it in the hands of the professionals, and like u said if i have more than six braxons i will be sure to go to emergency room. Thanks once again and happy holidays to u and your family

[@SaraB305x]

VEry well explained!

[@raa8504]

38 weeks can't wait

[@ahorn785]

i am not dilating but having contractions and lots of tummy tightening and cramps and pressure down there. please help

[@khadijaafraz7062]

Same here

[@MMHorsemanship]

So helpful to hear this explained.

[@ms_jay718]

thank you! simple explaination

[@angelinemarketing]

I am 40 weeks 6 days. Some false labor and no showing at all yet. This is not my guest pregnancy. Had a check up yesterday that babies heart beat is good154 my blood pressure is good, head is engaged but muy iron is low, a 9. I picked up some iron supplements to take. Just wondering if there's signs i should watch for or when i should become concerned.

[@jamieglover8676]

Very helpful and informative :) thanks!

[@SavonChristy]

im 34 weeks and i have been taking a med called nephenamine to help slow down my contractions because they were very close and bad. i havent lost my mucus plug but my daughter has been head down for a month now and she jus gets lower at every appointment. this is my second child my oldest is one i didnt have complications could it be because i didnt wait the recommended time to have another child?

[@fatumatalewis6033]

Thanks Doc, does the cervix dilate with low lying placenta?

[@elenaep703]

What does it mean if i am 41 weeks pregnant and at -1 station ? I was told that it meant that baby’s head cannot fit in my pelvis and they did a c-section on me due to that. The doctor didn’t even try to induce me. Should I have tried the induction first?

[@heatherjackson8951]

at 31 weeks I was already thinning soo does that mean dialating?

[@liseniemayard]

Thank you! Now I understand :)

[@ummmus_ab]

I’m 1cm 50% and 0 at 37 weeks getting there 💪🏽

[@ThatBadSicilian]

hi med twice, i am 40 weeks pregnant today. I have not had any signs labor is coming. i have not many braxton hicks, AT ALL either. I am wondering if that was normal or not, being im full term? I am wondering if I am going to need an induction or not. I'm not opposing the option, being i truly do not want to be pregnant longer then tomorrrow lol..but i am just curious if it poses an issue that my cervix is still closed and i have not effaced nor have had any sign of braxton hicks?

[@michellemanuel1949]

So what ended up happening?

[@faizaahmed1800]

Greatest I understand no confusion after watching this video

[@sanjidayasmin7194]

Hi, I am 37weeks 3days pregnant, today my doctor did pv and said cervix is soft and baby is in station 2. can you please tell me what does it mean? Thnx

[@jtawsem]

It's "dilatation," he's saying it correctly.

[@auroraautumn8764]

Either is correct. Dilation or dilatation

[@margithammer8835]

🐸

[@IWasOnceAFetus]

It's correct. "Cervical dilatation" is what medical professionals use.

[@riteshagrawal21]

I was looking for this. Thanks

[@alibugbug]

male doctors creep me out hard core, but you seem very calm and knowledgeable :)

[@matthewwhitt6060]

Thank you for that information!

[@kSor_3]

That was very informative.. I m 40+2weeks today. Last checkup a week back revealed cervix far up but one finger could enter.. Means baby hasnt still dropped? Will it create problems while induction in case it stays that ways, which is scheduled in 5 days?

[@MedTwice]

Probably hasn't dropped yet but sometimes they don't until after labor starts. It won't create problems for induction but it may effect the choice of medications used. I have a video on induction of labor at medtwice.com if you are interested.

[@alexisriojas727]

37 weeks 💙 I was 36 weeks and 2 cm, 50% effaced and baby is -3 station. Is that good?

[@mgr.dagmarsemerakova8240]

thank you!

[@mode200]

I was 10cm dilated but ended up in an emergency C. Section 🤔. Those terms I have not heard. Am in Europe by the way. This information I wanted to know. Thanks doc😊👌

[@francesclaireabala1671]

I'm 12weeks pregnant..my cervical canal is dilated at 0.4cm was it still safe or not?

[@jasminegomez6500]

I'm 36weeks & 6days Tuesday I saw my doctor & she told me I was 2 1/2cm dilated. Do you think labor could happen any day now?

[@laurenswift9368]

I was 4cm at 35 weeks, 6 days and I had him at 39 weeks, 4 days. So it could happen any day or any week from then 🤷‍♀️

[@melissajackson4850]

What a great simple video explaining these terms thank you

[@solisclaudia08]

Nice!!!!

[@jeyjolove]

Hello 1st. I love your videos helps a lot... I want to ask you I go today to my doc and she told me that I have 3cm of dilation but the cervix is not thin enough. I have 35 weeks and 5 days. What that means? Or I going to have my baby early? I feel a lot of pressure down thear. Thank you for you help

[@MedTwice]

Thanks for the compliment, glad to be of some help. It is impossible to predict if the baby will come, early, on time, or late. 3 cm but not very effaced is a pretty normal exam at your stage of pregnancy especially if you have had children before (but even if you have not). The pressure is normal, there is a full size live baby pushing down into your pelvis! It sounds like you are progressing well.

[@neo-qn1vs]

Wonderfully explained...thanks a lot sir.....:-)

[@jessikaworcester5167]

I am 38 weeks and 3 days. 4cm dilated and 80 percent effaced. Alot of mucus came out this morning. Should labor be coming soon??

[@jasminehawkins8066]

Why does it hurt when the doctor check to see if you are dilated ?

[@MedTwice]

The blood flow to the pelvic structures greatly increases during pregnancy. The increased blood flow can cause some swelling and tenderness. Exams tend to me more uncomfortable towards the end of pregnancy for this reason.

[@blainedarbonne7782]

How do I open my Cervix I am 38 weeks and my mucus plug still didn't come out

[@stephannieduran2]

Can i check myself if im dialated? If so plz explain, thanks

[@MedTwice]

It would be fairly difficult and is not recommended.

[@pinki123666]

Very informative! Thank you

[@nicetoseeyou1428]

What does it means PV - uneffaced , 1 finger

[@alyshahsanchez9224]

Hello there, so I'm 37 weeks and 3 days I'm dilated 2 1/2 cm effaced 90% and +2 would you say labor pretty soon? I'm due April 19 but have been in and out of anti partem due to preterm labor, and frequent contractions I had to stop taking nifedapine at 36 weeks, Or does it just depend on when baby is ready?

[@MedTwice]

It is very hard to predict when you will go into labor. At 37 weeks your baby will be fine if you do go into labor so there is no need to use medication to keep contractions away at this point in your pregnancy. If I could predict exactly when patients will deliver I would be buying lottery tickets! It is really unpredictable.

[@alyshahsanchez9224]

Med Twice Yea that is true thank you for responding, you're great at explaining things, :)

[@heatherblack6183]

alyshah sanchez when did you end up having ur baby

[@Violet_Lavender_Dragons]

This was helpful! Thank you!

[@heatherjackson8951]

still don't know when I go to the hospital am I suppose to go when my water breaks or when the mucus plus comes out or do I go when I'm really hurting they neve tell u when to come in I don't wanna go an get sent back home

[@heatherjackson8951]

JingJing. thank youu I'ma ftm.

[@abbieruth8373]

If your mucus plug comes out, it is not a sign of labor coming on roght away. It could still be days or weeks. If your water breaks, always go in right away because that does mean your about to go into labor. If your contractions are regular, within 5 minutes of eachother lasting for a minute and are hard to talk through, then youre in labor and should go in right away. If your contractions arent regular or intense at all, it could be false labor. But always trust yourself and get checked out if you just want to be sure.

[@jenn-mamadukeso.c7153]

Only go to labour room when ur contractions are every 5 to 7 mins apart lasting at least 45 seconds. Mucous plug can come out over couple weeks or days for some women u have them within hrs after that but not always I did deliver our first two the following morning after losing my plug but our 3rd my plug came out over the course of a week. Waters breaking also will b sign of labour to come N u have to deliver within 48 hrs from then or it becomes dangerous for baby but when my water broke with our 3rd I still kwaited til my contractions were steady every 10 mins lasting about 45 sec or longer. Trust me our bodies tell us when it's the real deal I haven't ever gone in with false labour. Even still I'm 4cm dilated and 100 percent effaced but contractions r very irregular. Once they become about every 5 mins I'll go in

[@kiptoo548]

great!!

[@heatherjackson8951]

also got told there is 2 arteries going the the placenta that's good right?

[@irina958]

Heather Jackson 2 Arteries and one Vein

[@stephannieduran2]

Thank you very much for taking your time to respond , ive been on the internet looking through this subject and it sounds like its easy, im very curious because ive been having really sharp pain coming from my cervix kind of like a very sharp pinch and i called my doctor and he said it was normal but i dont feel it is at all since this is my second pregnancy, and im only 27 weeks pregnant and i dont know if this pregnancy would be considered high risk just because i had a tummy tuck prior to this and ended up getting pregnant,(not planned) i have a cousin that went through the same and her doctor told her the same she started dilating at 8 months and had her baby literally the next day, and im trying to avoid it, plus I been having about 4-6 a day braxton hicks and the doctor also tells me thats normal, now is it true to check to see if if dialated i would have to slowly stick my finger through the cervix entrance without pushing hard n see how far it goes? I tried but not sure if i did it the right way and it went a little past my finger nail it probably would of went further but i was afraid to hurt myself(i have short nails by the way)

[@MedTwice]

I agree with everything your doctor has told you. We do not worry about Braxton Hicks contractions until they are more than 6 per hour, if they get that frequent and you are preterm you need to be evaluated. The tummy tuck will make your pregnancy more uncomfortable, there will likely be mare pain as your abdomen grows, there is not am increased risks of serious problems. The sharp pains are also normal. Trying to check the cervix yourself is not a good idea. Unless you are a labor and delivery nurse or an OB/Gyn, you have not been trained. This is a skill that times time to develop over the course of many exams. You can cause problems by checking yourself, infection, trauma to the cervix, or rupture of membranes, if you do not check properly. It will also be difficult for you to tell how dilated you are if you do not have experience checking a cervix. If you are concerned see your doctor and ask him/her to check you. If you are very worried go to labor and delivery at your hospital and they will check you there.

[@derher9626]

I am 36 weeks and my Dr have not checked my cervix yet.

[@lilyflower76]

but how do you actually measure the percentage of effacement? How do you determine if it's 30% or 60%?

[@julierehoric3856]

you will feel a rim or absence therof

[@MedTwice]

It is impossible to predict when the baby is going to come based on your exam. I have had patients 4 cm dilated at 28 weeks that did not have their baby until after the due date, I have had other patents that where closed, thick, and high go into labor that night.

[@Adventuresofadoctor]

This is good

[@kSor_3]

Many thanks!!

[@andiswagwadleka2410]

I'm 39+ 5 days...have I started dilatation?

[@VivaLaLazlow]

Run The Jewels, Doc.

[@malikathueler2529]

How do you measure effacement?

[@sarahphillips8005]

I can answer this. We can feel it and give a good estimation from that.

[@laflower27]

Dilitation or dilation????

[@Emmsays]

35 weeks and 1cm dilated and 50% effaced

[@nancymunoz8347]

Hello im 37 weeks pregnant and ive been very sick i cant sleep i cant walk because my back hurts alot and i have asma! Im controling my asma but still i get it twice a day... I cant take it anymore! Can i have my baby now? Should i ask my doctor to induce me? My doctor said my baby was fine to be born and she told me i was full term since 35 weeks...

[@MedTwice]

The last several weeks of pregnancy are difficult. In most cases it is best for your baby to wait until at least 39 weeks to be induced.

[@nancymunoz8347]

I forgot to mention that im 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced ive been having contractions but as soon as i sleep they fo away

[@shundrawatson7916]

all that stuff hurt..i hated it

[@Bouchra1094-e3l]

Helllo I'm 39 weeks2 days I had my appointment last week ,doctor said I'm 3 cm dilated but now I don't have any signs of labor is that normal

[@simplelife3263]

Thanks now. Understand when he said 0 50% 1 he was able to feel her head

[@Cynthiawest1]

You are very good 😊

[@krystalvalencia6057]

Omg wish he was m Dr. I'm a silent dialter n my ob is rude

[@auroraautumn8764]

Don’t you choose your doctor and not the other way around? It’s best to have someone who will treat you humanely

[@riswanalatheef3036]

Sir,iam 34 weak pregnant my cervix is open .dr.attempt 2 finger test pv.am i ready for delivery?

[@jenn-mamadukeso.c7153]

No not at all ur cervix has to b 100 percent first which means completely thinned out and u have to b dilated 4 to 5 cm before even considering labour being near not at 30 weeks usually either u probably still have abiut 10 up to 12 weeks before they will induce u 40 to 42 weeks is when delivery happens

[@Alexia-to4oe]

I’m confused 😐 Dr said I’m 3cm and cervix is still thick, what does that mean? Am I officially 3cm dilated or 0 cm?

[@whitneyhayes8085]

I'm 34cm a 60% affected

[@jenn-mamadukeso.c7153]

Cervix still thick usually means u close to 0 percent effacement. Effacement is when our cervix thins and goes away in order for our vagina to dilate to 10 cm so we can push our baby out. In order to b in labour ur cervix has to b 100 perfect effaced and at least 4 to 5 cm dilated. Some women can b 1 cm dilated and 60 percent effaced or 3 cm dilated 0 percent effaced this means there's still quite a bit o work to b done. Hope this helps

[@sujithkumar8429]

efface mentioned malayalam

[@classytwnty1]

Hi Med Twice I'm 30 weeks and 3 days my pelvic bone feels open and separated what does it mean if I can move it and make it pop like when turning over getting up and sitting down? Is that a sign of dialTion? Thanks!

[@MedTwice]

Hi Cari Turner, there is a hormone called relaxin that helps to loosen the connections in the pelvic structure. This allows more room in the pelvis to allow for vaginal birth. The symptoms you are describing are probably from this effect. This is a separate thing from cervical dilation.

[@classytwnty1]

Thanks for responding also… does that have anything to do with dilatation and effacement? Like does it happen after you're effaced or dilated?

[@MedTwice]

It is really separate. When we talk about dilatation and effacement it is the cervix we are referring to. This is a soft tissue structure that is part of the uterus, what you are feeling has to do with the bony pelvis.

[@TheDrSweetTooth]

❤❤❤

[@berenicevelediaz6647]

my dr just said i have soft cervix what does he mean by that? im 37 weeks 3days

[@faizaahmed1800]

👍

[@Cattastic848]

He said dilitaion, not dilation....

[@RealAnthonyMitchell]

dil·a·ta·tion ˌdiləˈtāSHən,ˌdīləˈtāSHən/Submit nounMEDICINEPHYSIOLOGY the action of dilating a vessel or opening or the process of becoming dilated. a dilated part of a hollow organ or vessel.

[@six6nix587]

Which is the correct terminology. Imagine that.

[@alfatir14]

When I heard that, I immediately stopped the video...

[@bilboswaggins9921]

I know it's still the correct terminology but... It just hits the ear wrong.

[@Loweredexpectationss]

Baaaaad thumbnail, Doc lol