The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor that has been in operation since 1884. According to its official website, the vision of the BLS is to meet the information needs of a rapidly changing U.S, and global economy by continuously improving its products and services, investing in its work force, and modernizing its business processes.
Note: Scar tissue may interfere with normal intrapartal cervical dilation and effacement. Vaginal bleeding other than slight spotting may be sign of cervical dilatation. Leaking membranes may herald impending delivery and place client at greater risk for infection.
Cervical Effacement refers to the cervix thinning out. The cervix starts out long and hard, and slowly diminishes as labor progresses. The cervix will become 100% effaced before the baby is born. Like cervix dilation, partial effacement may or may not be an early labor sign. You can start labor not being effaced at all, or you can be 50% effaced for a few weeks.