Dilation and effacement are terms that doctors and other birth professionals use to describe the changes in the cervix that are required for vaginal birth. Even if you've heard these terms, you may ...

Near the end of the third trimester, the cervix will soften in order to begin the process of effacing (thinning and stretching) and dilating (opening up) in preparation for your baby's birth. An open ...

Did you know your cervix moves and changes during your menstrual cycle? If you're trying to get pregnant or just want to understand your body better, learning about your cervix can be really helpful.