Effacement
Encyclopedia
Cervical effacement refers to a thinning of the cervix. It is a component of the Bishop score
.
It can be expressed as a percent.
Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy
, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus
. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina
. The mucus may be tinged with blood
and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show
(or simply "show"). As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is followed by cervical dilation
.
Bishop score
Bishop score, also Bishop's score, is a pre-labour scoring system to assist in predicting whether induction of labour will be required. It has also been used to assess the odds of spontaneous preterm delivery.-Components:...
.
It can be expressed as a percent.
Prior to effacement, the cervix is like a long bottleneck, usually about four centimeters in length. Throughout pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
, the cervix is tightly closed and protected by a plug of mucus
Mucus
In vertebrates, mucus is a slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes. Mucous fluid is typically produced from mucous cells found in mucous glands. Mucous cells secrete products that are rich in glycoproteins and water. Mucous fluid may also originate from mixed glands, which...
. When the cervix effaces, the mucus plug is loosened and passes out of the vagina
Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
. The mucus may be tinged with blood
Blood
Blood is a specialized bodily fluid in animals that delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells and transports metabolic waste products away from those same cells....
and the passage of the mucus plug is called bloody show
Bloody show
Bloody show is the passage of a small amount of blood or blood-tinged mucus through the vagina near the end of pregnancy. It can occur just before labor or in early labor as the cervix changes shape, freeing mucus and blood that occupied the cervical glands or cervical os. Bloody show is a...
(or simply "show"). As effacement takes place, the cervix then shortens, or effaces, pulling up into the uterus and becoming part of the lower uterine wall. Effacement may be measured in percentages, from zero percent (not effaced at all) to 100 percent, which indicates a paper-thin cervix. Effacement is followed by cervical dilation
Cervical dilation
Cervical dilation is the opening of the cervix, the entrance to the uterus, during childbirth, miscarriage, induced abortion, or gynecological surgery...
.