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lol okay lets see if I can explain it... think of your cervix like a cork (like from a bottle of wine or something) its hard thick and long.. when you dilate it starts to open (like if there was a hole inthe middle of the cork that was opening) when you efface it starts to get shorter (so picture the cork getting shorter and shorter) hope that helps.

here is a picture :) (3 Ws) library.med.utah.edu/kw/human_reprod/mml/hrphysioL01.gif

:( its not working... usually I can trick the site into letting me post URLs lol but not this one I guess.. just google effacement and go to images.

Can you guys tell me what is going on with my cervix if it is just "softening"? At my 36 week appt. the doctor said my cervix was softening and that's where she expected me to be. I see her in 2 days at my 37 week appt so I'm hoping for more progress, but doubt it. Does that mean that it (cervix) is still long and closed, just getting softer?

Stef.. yes your cervix can just get soft and nothing else. your doc will check for dilation and effacement of course but they also check for texture and position. its normal at 36 weeks :)

Cool. I'm not in any rush, I'm just worried that I'll not have ANY progress still even at 38 and 39 weeks. I know that can happen, but I guess it is more exciting to have something going on, lol ;)

I know what you mean, I was lucky had had consistent progress from week to week but its totally normal for some women to stay the same for while.

Your cervix is usually hard like a well done steak, but then it starts to get softer so it can efface and dilate. I know what you mean though, because I just want SOMETHING to happen, hahaha. I've been in pain and having crazy BH, but no progress AT ALL, not even softening :(