Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (Plains) is engaged in the transportation, storage, terminalling and marketing of crude oil and refined products, as well as in the processing, transportation, fractionation, storage and marketing of natural gas liquids (NGL).
The first stage of labor is the longest and involves three phases: 1  Early Labor Phase âThe time of the onset of labor until the cervix is dilated to 3 cm. 2  Active Labor Phase â Continues from 3 cm. until the cervix is dilated to 7 cm.  Transition Phase â Continues from 7 cm. until the cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm.
Effacement is often expressed in percentages. At 0 percent effacement, the cervix is typically about 3 to 4 centimeters (cm) long, or very thick. Your cervix must be 100 percent effaced, or completely thinned out, before a vaginal delivery. Another of the early signs of labor is your cervix beginning to open (dilate). Your health care provider will measure the dilation in centimeters from zero to 10. At first, these cervical changes can be very slow. Once you're in active labor, expect to dilate more quickly.