As labor nears, the fetus's head drops down into the pelvis and pushes against the cervix. The cervix begins to thin (efface) and open (dilate), sometimes over a few weeks.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Last Revised | January 7, 2010 |
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