Sometimes, as true labor draws near, Braxton Hicks contractions become relatively painful and strike as often as every ten to 20 minutes, making you wonder whether true labor has started. But if the contractions don’t get longer, stronger, and closer together and cause your cervix to dilate progressively, then what you’re feeling is probably so-called false signs of labor.
Effacement is often expressed in percentages. The cervix starts out about 4 centimeters (cm) long. When you’re 50 percent effaced, your cervix is half its original thickness, or 2 cm. Your cervix must be 100 percent effaced, or completely thinned out, before a vaginal delivery.
Some women have found water births to be very relaxing and helpful in relieving contraction cramps.