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 ...

In some circumstances, a doctor may recommend speeding up dilation with medication, procedure, or nipple stimulation. While every pregnancy and delivery is different, most women will agree that by the ...

The cervix changes in early pregnancy and throughout the menstrual cycle. Here's how to check your cervix for pregnancy. Medically reviewed by Renita White, MD Checking your cervix can help you ...

Cervical effacement is a term to describe thinning of the cervix, the lower end of your uterus that connects with your vagina. This thinning occurs before and during labor and helps prepare your ...

Some people claim that certain exercises, stretches, relaxation techniques, and laughing may help a pregnant person dilate faster. However, there is typically only anecdotal support for these ...