Labor Progress: Part 1

Let’s talk about labor progress, shall we?  I am in awe of how women work with their bodies during labor and birth, especially because of the major changes happening throughout the process.  But labor progress isn’t an “all or nothing” type of thing.  A pregnant woman’s body can begin to “prep” for labor long before baby signals, “I’m making my way out!”  When an expectant gal visits her care provider days or weeks before her estimated due date, the main point of progress discussed is dilation.  But there is so much more to it than that!  If you want to know more about your baby and the changes happening in your body, think about talking with your doc or midwife about these questions:

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What position is my baby in?
I cannot emphasize enough how important positioning is!  The position of your baby in utero will influence labor and birth much more than baby’s size.  That’s right.  All you ladies with small hips and measuring 5 feet tall, you can totally birth a big baby.  But what if that big baby is posterior…or breech?  That’s where things may get difficult.  Getting baby into an optimal position (left occiput anterior to be exact) can make labor go much more smoothly.  I could go on and on about this subject, but it truly deserves to be a blog post in itself!  If you’re looking for more information on baby’s positioning, please visit the Spinning Babies website. 

What position is my cervix in?
Throughout most of your pregnancy, your cervix will be high and posterior (pointing towards your back).  As progress is made, your cervix will eventually move down and take on an anterior position (facing forward).  Robin Weiss, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, recently stated, "Many women can tell when the cervix begins to move around because when a vaginal exam is performed it no longer feels like the cervix is located near her tonsils." :)

What station is my baby at?
The station of your baby is based on where the top of baby's head is located.  Measurement ranges from a -4 station (high up or "floating") to a +4 station (baby is OUT!).  Most of the descent happens during the pushing phase of labor.

How soft is my cervix?
 Softening, or ripening, of the cervix will help it become more pliable.  The softening is caused by a release of hormones and the production of prostaglandins.  It is said that a non-pregnant woman's cervix feels like the firm tip of a nose, while a softened cervix feels like an overripe fruit.  Fun fact:  Semen contains prostaglandins and can make the cervix softer. 

Is my cervix effaced?
Effacement, also known as the thinning and shortening of the cervix, is measured in percentages.  A cervix at 0% is not effaced at all; one at 50% is halfway effaced.  A cervix that is 100% effaced is completely thinned out (you may hear of this cervix being “paper thin.”)  The average cervix is 1-2 inches in length, but will shorten as it becomes more effaced.  

How dilated is my cervix?
Dilation, or opening, of the cervix is measured in centimeters (0 cm. being not dilated at all and 10 cm. being completely dilated).  Most of us are unfamiliar with the structure or shape of the cervix, so it’s hard to picture exactly what complete dilation looks like.  I like sharing this visual guide (below), because it gives you everyday items to compare dilation with. 

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Keep in mind that these things do not happen in any specific order.  While it is nice to be informed of these changes, having one or more present doesn't promise a baby today, tomorrow, or even a week from now.  If baby is not ready to greet the world, then it doesn’t matter if mama's cervix is 4 cm. dilated or 100% effaced.  Babies don't care about their due dates.  When baby has reached maximum growth inside of the womb and the placenta no longer meets her nutritional needs, that's when she will begin to let mama know it's time for her to be born. 

Positioning, effacement, softening, and dilation of the cervix are four of the six ways that labor progresses.  The first three may happen days or even weeks before labor actually begins.  Once you are in labor, your cervix will dilate to completion (10 centimeters), your baby will rotate her head and tuck chin to chest, and her head will mold and descend to be born. 

If you are pregnant and nearing your due date, please understand that there is so much going on in your body besides cervical dilation.  The process seems complex, but your body knows just what to do.  Trust it, nourish it, and be present.  Your baby will be here in good time. 

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Please stay tuned for Parts 2 & 3 of "Labor Progress," as we will be discussing the signs of labor as well as how to keep labor moving once it's here. 

Thanks for reading!