What cervical change indicates the progress into true labor?

The progress into true labor is indicated primarily by cervical dilation and effacement. During true labor, the body undergoes specific physiological changes in preparation for childbirth. Dilation refers to the opening of the cervix, which is necessary for the baby to pass through the birth canal. Effacement is the thinning and shortening of the cervix that occurs as labor progresses. Together, these changes signify that the body is moving towards delivery and are key indicators that labor is actively taking place.

Cervical swelling alone does not indicate progress; it can happen for various reasons and does not signify that labor has commenced. Persistent cervical length would suggest that there is no significant change happening, which would imply that labor is not progressing. Cervical bleeding, while it may occur in some scenarios, is not a reliable indicator of true labor progress and could be caused by other conditions unrelated to labor's advancement. Therefore, the measurement of cervical dilation and effacement collectively provides the most accurate indication of moving into true labor.