During which stage is cervical effacement primarily assessed?

Cervical effacement refers to the process by which the cervix thins out and shortens as labor progresses, preparing for delivery. This assessment is primarily conducted during the dilation stage of labor. As the cervix dilates (opens) to accommodate the baby, effacement occurs simultaneously. Medical professionals monitor this to gauge how close the mother is to delivering the baby.

In the other stages, such as the expulsion stage, the focus shifts to delivering the baby itself. During the transition stage, which is the final part of the first stage of labor, contractions become more intense, and the cervix is usually already fully effaced. The placental stage occurs after the baby is born and focuses on the delivery of the placenta, with effacement no longer being a relevant factor. Therefore, the correct assessment of cervical effacement is firmly rooted in the dilation stage.