Effacement, Station & Dilation Explained: What Cervical Checks Really Tell You in Labor (From a Michiana Birth Doula)

Eva Monhaut-Jenkins
May 5
3 min read

Learn more about Michiana birth doula support and insights into cervical exams today.

If you’ve ever been told “You’re only 3 centimeters,” you know how frustrating and confusing cervical checks can feel. And if you’re pregnant and preparing for birth, you might be wondering what effacement, station, and dilation even mean—or whether they really matter.

As a Michiana birth doula, I hear this all the time. Clients want to feel informed without overwhelmed. You want facts and reassurance. That’s exactly what this post is here to give you.

What Are Cervical Checks, Really?

Cervical checks are internal exams where your provider feels your cervix to measure three things:

Dilation (how open it is)
Effacement (how thin it’s become)
Station (how far down baby is in your pelvis)

It sounds straightforward—but what it actually means for your labor experience is often misunderstood.

And here's the key: these numbers don't predict when you'll give birth or how fast labor will move. They give a snapshot, not a crystal ball.

Understanding the Three Terms with a Michiana Birth Doula

📏 Dilation: How Open Is Your Cervix?

This is measured from 0 to 10 centimeters. Everyone talks about dilation, but it's not the only piece of the puzzle. Some people stay at 3 cm for days—and others go from 5 to 10 in an hour. Furthermore, even when you reach 10cm, not everyone is ready to push yet and some people are ready to push sooner.

🌿 Effacement: How Thin Is Your Cervix?

Effacement is measured in percentages (0%–100%). Before baby can pass through, your cervix has to soften and thin out. Many first-time birthers efface before they dilate. I like to do a demonstration with a bunch of rubber bands with my clients. The bands would be hard to pull apart thicker the band but the thinner the bands the easier to open them (dilation).

📍 Station: Where Is Baby in the Pelvis?

This shows how low your baby is, from -5 (high) to +5 (crowning). A baby at +1 or +2 is making their way down—and that often tells us more about progress than dilation alone. Station can also be helpful in choosing which birthing positions feel the best and are more optimal to a smoother and shorter duration of labor.

The Truth No One Tells You

Here’s what I tell my clients every time I walk into a birth space as their birth doula in Michiana:

“You are not a number. Your birth isn’t on a clock. And cervical checks are just one small piece of the story.”

Cervical checks do not measure your strength. They don’t reflect how well you’re coping. They certainly don’t determine whether you’re doing it “right.”

I've seen birthing people told they're "not progressing," only to give birth within the hour.

I've seen the opposite, too. The truth is—your body knows exactly what to do, and it's not always linear.

Learn more about cervical exams with a Michiana birth doula near you today!

When Can Cervical Checks Be Helpful?

There are times when cervical checks offer helpful insight—like when deciding when to head to your birth place, or whether certain interventions (like breaking waters) are appropriate.

But the most important part? You get to choose. You can ask questions. You can say no. You can ask to wait.

That’s the kind of self-advocacy I help all my clients feel confident practicing—because informed choice is at the heart of every empowered birth.

You Deserve Support That Puts You at the Center

If you’re nodding along thinking, “This is what I’ve been looking for,”—I want you to know you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

As a Michiana birth doula serving Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana, I’m here to support you through every stage—from learning the lingo to advocating for yourself in the birth room.

Together, we’ll build your confidence, prepare your mindset, and create a birth plan that honors your values.