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Cervical effacement is an important component of the Bishop score and is reported as a percentage. 0% indicates the cervix is at normal length, 50% indicates the cervix is half of the expected length and 100% effaced means the cervix is paper thin. [10] The Bishop score has been modified in current medical practice.
40-50% 60-70% 80+% Effacement translates to how 'thin' the cervix is. The cervix is normally approximately three centimetres long, as it prepares for labour and labour continues the cervix will efface until it is 'fully effaced' (paper-thin). Cervical dilation: Closed 1–2 cm 3–4 cm 5+cm Dilation is a measure of how open the cervical os is.
In a normal pregnancy, dilation and effacement occurs in response to uterine contractions. Cervical weakness becomes a problem when the cervix is pushed to open by the growing pressure in the uterus as pregnancy progresses. If the responses are not halted, rupture of the membranes and birth of a premature baby can result.
In the later stages of pregnancy, the cervix may already have opened up to 1–3 cm (or more in rarer circumstances), but during labor, repeated uterine contractions lead to further widening of the cervix to about 6 centimeters. From that point, pressure from the presenting part (head in vertex births or bottom in breech births), along with ...
The prevalence of fear of childbirth around the world ranges between 4–25%, with 3–7% of pregnant women having clinical fear of childbirth. [131] [132] Although pain may be seen as a self-evident and indisputable fact, in reality pain is only one sensation of childbirth. There are many other sensations such as bliss, joy and satisfaction ...
Many pregnant women seek medical care throughout pregnancy and plan for the birth of a baby with a healthcare team. Access to high quality care lowers the risk-averse events in pregnancy. [12] In an emergency childbirth situation, it is recommended to seek further education and make a plan. [13]
Forty-three states have laws banning post-viability abortions unless pregnancy threatens the life or health of the woman or there is a fetal abnormality. Some allow doctors to decide for themselves if the fetus is viable. Some require doctors to perform tests to prove a fetus is pre-viable and require multiple doctors to certify the findings.
According to a study conducted by Whitcome, et al., lumbar lordosis can increase from an angle of 32 degrees at 0% fetal mass (i.e. non-pregnant women or very early in pregnancy) to 50 degrees at 100% fetal mass (very late in pregnancy). Postpartum, the angle of the lordosis declines and can reach the angle prior to pregnancy.